Mitsubishi Repair: convertible roof leak on a 2001 eclipse spyder, 2001 eclipse spyder, eclipse gs


Question
okay despite the fact that i have a brand new tan convertible top on my 2001 ECLIPSE GS SPYDER 5SPD. it leaks in at the door sills near the rear speakers and seat and floor board the leak used to be on the drivers rear now i just noticed in the thouight of maybe i should check it since it is raining and has been, well its dripping at a constant rate on the passenger rear,,,, it comes in at the passenger window seal where theres the rubber as the door sill connecting the two windows, looking at it puzzzles me why they ever made it and how it ever worked, theres a gap there thats wide open to the outside open to weather, so please help me in any way i just ordered a whole entire stereo system and dont want it ruined by the stupid leaks which shouldnt be occuriung first of all especially on a new professionally installed top, i love my car and wil defn. make sure its in the garage if thats the only way to keep it dry if it only leaks like this during monsoon downpour like this entire weeks forecast,,, sometimes i will know when it will rain but im not god i wont always know and have control over it and be there to throw a tarp over the top and call it good for now, so please help me!!!!

Answer
Josh,
Even the smallest crease or dent in the weatherstripping can cause a poor seal and leak.  In the rules of nature, water always wins.  You can't stop it indefinitely, but you can reroute it.  You need to watch how the water is being routed down your top, through your door sills and through the drain holes to the ground or directly to the ground.  You can easily do this by spraying a light mist from your garden house on the top and watch how the water flows.  Cover your speakers just in case.  You may find the weatherstripping and seals are fine, but the water is being blocked from reaching the ground.  Eventually that dammed up water will collect and leak through.
Good luck!