Hardtop Seal

Post Fri Sep 18, 2015 12:12 am

I have had a leak from the front of the hardtop for some time now.

It is not leaking between where the seal meets the metal above the windscreen.

It appears to be water getting through between the seal and the hardtop itself, where the water can be seen leaking out from behind the plastic trim panel above the latch handles.

A new seal for this is about £400-500.

The seal looks fine, it is almost as if it has lost it's bond to the hardtop.

My question is can this seal be removed from the hardtop without destroying it? And can it be bonded back on?

Post Fri Sep 18, 2015 12:49 am

That's good but its not where the seal meets the top of the windscreen, its in between the seal and the hardtop itself.

Is the seal bonded to the hardtop or does it just pop in?

If it just pops in then I could take it off and gummypflege the f**ker. But if its bonded to the hard top I need to know if its possible to remove and re-bond without destroying the seal.

Post Fri Sep 18, 2015 2:53 pm

Silicone? or rubber glue?

Post Fri Sep 18, 2015 7:22 pm

I just carfeully pulled the seal from the rear a little bit. It looks at that point to just sit in a big groove, and the rubber is quite chunky, like above 50mm wide, and there is signs of some old glue. Has anybody ever had the seal off completely? Is it this chunky all the way round to the front or does it get more flimsy?

Post Sat Sep 19, 2015 10:46 am

can you post a pic up please so i can also have a look at the seal in question as i seem to have similar issue thanks

Post Sat Sep 19, 2015 1:24 pm

There's only 2 seals on a hardtop, one along the bottom/back, and the one I'm talking about is number 15 on this picture.

http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E30-C ... top_parts/

I've just Google imaged the part number and it does look to get flimsier at the front!

Post Sat Dec 12, 2015 4:42 pm

Just a follow up for anybody who might search this topic in the future.

The water was coming in between behind the seal where it bonds into the front of the hardtop.

I gently pulled the seal out slightly and ran some sealant in the gap, and pushed the seal back in. Touch wood it hasn't leaked since I did it a few months ago.