Water leaks !

I got caught in some rain in my new VS and headed home after about 15 minutes....leaked at windshield above rear view mirror and traveled down to clamps..most fell on front carpet..and maybe about a half cup total leaked in from there...ok ...But later I found water had gotten in behind and under the seats...I wet vacumed about a quart of water and used fans to finish off drying.....anybody have any idea how that much water got back there....thanks ...Joe

Windshield top is probably normal what with aerodynamics of car and convertible top construction. Do a search on forum as others have complained about pan leakage. I know the CMC build manual says to put a 2" wide band of silicon caulk all around before mating the body to the pan (and then fiberglassing the seam). I'm thinking VS skips that step cuz it never rains in sunny California! Would think you could seal a VW pan based car --- tubular frame might take some extra work. I'd look around the wheel wells first for openings.

Only way to do it right is to put the speedster in an dark garage pulling the carpet away to expose the edges, while you are inside the car, have someone go around the floor pan with a trouble light and mark the areas where you see light.... there will be quite a few places especially, around the top of the rear tunnel section. Use spray can expandable foam here( you'll need to attach a piece of hose (securely with a hose clamp or it will blow off from the pressure and is a hell of a mess/stains your skin ) to the the can nozzel to be able to reach all the way in and on top of the tunnel section) ...the rest can be sealed using a quart of brushable 3M seam sealer along the outside of the pan to body areas. Then check and re-check using the trouble light method...........Wear latex gloves.

Joe; definitely do a search as this has been discussed at length before; my VS has that same problem. The front bow leak is easy enough to fix; just run to your local Home Depot or Lowe's and get some self adhering foam tape weatherstripping. Just peel the back paper off and install it all along your front bow in your convertible top. That problem will be solved in a cinch; I did....For the rest of the car it's another story but I sealed all nooks and crannies underneath the car with self expanding foam and it's gotten better though not totally solved.

Thank you all for the help and info....I didn't realize my car would have these problems....disappointed a bit....but still love the car.

I think that if water comes in it will be normal that eventually it will collect under the seat since the car kind of tilts that way. When I installed my new carpet kit I made it removeable so that the whole thing can be ripped out if needed and dried in the sun. I don't drive in the rain anyway but it has happened on trailering in a rain storm back from Carlisle that it soaked in. FRIED THE RADIO.

Since then I built a 2 car garage for the babies. The first year the car was outside under a tarp and stored at a storage place for the winter.

Consider maybe drilling drain holes in the back. Make sure you apply anti-rust paint. But small 1.4" holes in the back are small enough to keep the wayer draining....

1. Be sure to use the "waterproof" expandable foam (there are at least two varieties).

2. Drilling "drain holes" in your pan will let water out, but it will also allow water IN. I'd pass on this idea.

3. Don't be disappointed - it's a kit car - and it's going to present some "fun" problems along the way. Think of it as "part of the charm!"

Geee . . I thought this thread was going to be all about our new Suburu contingent and their motor problems.

Ain't any.