Jaguar Repair: 1985 XJ6 wind noise, noise question, paper strips

Question
QUESTION: Howard,

My car has always been noisy inside when on the freeway - just wind noise turbulence. I brought the car home today after being away for two weeks having a new headliner installed and decided to investigate. It seemed like the noise was mostly coming from around the windshield, so I first tried a little black silicone in a rusted-through area on the driver a-pillar. I took a short drive up the freeway and back and while that was a little better, I still hear it, but cannot pin it down. Is yours like this at all, as in is it a thing I have to live with? I kinda wonder if all the chrome trim around the windows and b pillar is causing turbulence, or would you suggest I keep hunting for a leak? I do have all windows and sunroof shut tight, by the way.

Thanks!
Michael

ANSWER: Hi Michael,

Most of the series III Jags I noted had wind noise due to the upper part of the doors to door seal. Put strips of paper in the door at different places up the front and over the top of each front door and close the door and see how much (if any) resistance there is to pulling the paper strips out.

I have stopped some of the noise when I find the paper strips are loose by running the window down and bending the window frame in a little at the top until it holds the paper strips snug.

If that don't tighten up on the paper strips enough you may need to replace the wind lace (door seals)

Howard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Howard!

The paper test definitely told a story on both front doors and persuading the upper sections inward made a difference. Makes me wonder if it was pushed, by two people, doors open, at some point. I think of that because I did just that to another car many, many years ago. After still hearing some wind, I recalled how I changed my lower hinge on the driver door last year and upon closer scrutiny, the door was not exactly flush with the front wing so I adjusted that a bit as well. haven't driven again yet, but that'll probably get it.

Thanks again, and happy New Year!

Michael

Answer
Hi Michael,

If the door is out of alignment that would be a fix. Mainly what happens is the door seal (wind lace) gets hard and depressed and looses it's pressure against the door. If you look at the seal you will see that it tends to get a dent in the shape of the door in it.

Either way should work to get more pressure on the seal.

Howard