Good Afternoon,

I need some help setting my expectations with regard to the roof leaking. My Xfire has been in and out of the shop at least five times within a year's time (adjusedt the window and replaced rubber strip. I gave up going to the Touchless Car Washes (I have been to several differnt ones) because the pressure of the water jets cause water to spray into the car from both windows one time it actually poured in from the front. Today I went to the self-serve car wash and was carful not to spray too close to the spot where the window meets the roof, however, water still leaked in. I guess my question is, What is a reasonable expectation for leaks when owning a convertible? Also, if there is anyone in the RI/Massachusetts area that knows of a dealer that provides you great service and can fix things correctly the first time please let me know.

Thank you in advance,
Pete

 

Have an '05 roadster. No matter how hard it rains I get no leaks. Car is dry as a bone. As for washing, I do that myself with a hose and have had no problems either. Didn't have any leaks from the roof when I had my old '95 Lebaron convertible either. Hope your dealer can find the cause and get it straightened out.

 

AIG, Are you careful when you rinse around the window or just treat it as if it was any other car?

 

I treat it as if it's any other car. Matter of fact, I used to have at '01 Vette coupe and that leaked around the weatherstripping constantly...even in a rain. Don't have that with the Xfire.

 

Can anyone in RI/MA suggest a good dealer that I can bring my car? I live in Cranston, RI but work up in Randolph, MA.

 

I had a '87 corvette and a '56 thunderbird that when you took to a car wash you might as well role down the windows as everything inside was going to get wet. From that experience I learned to hand wash, and even then the seats would get a little wet. But the bottom line was I didn't really care! Both cars were really cool to look at, and I had fun driving them. I feel lucky that my 2005 XF doesn't leak. If it's under warrenty take it in, if not stay out of automatic car washes (you have a very cool car).

 

Thank you Randyveach. I love my car, this is just one annoyance that doesn't outweigh all of the enjoyment the car brings me. When I bring my car into install the Rotes Pads I'll have them look at it again.

 

Mine leaks at the auto-wash.
Its from the lower side spray that shoots up and hits the roof under hang in the back corner of the window....by where your ear would be if your short.
I just figure thats what ya get for abusing your car at the auto-wash.
I just look the other way as it goes by

 

I dealt with leaking problems with my 2006 Crossfire roadster this winter. The dealer tried all the things you mentioned. You didn't specify where the leakage is occuring. The first leak was on the driver's side window sill near the plastic triangle. The new stripping fixed that, but then it sprung a leak down the front driver's side windshield pillar. They didn't believe me at first, but I didn't back down. Turns out it was a seal that is obscured by the dashboard. They had to take apart the dashboard to replace the seal, but it doesn't leak anymore. My suggestion is that you not back down on this. It is definitely a warranty item. Insist that they check all of the seals. I have to agree with the others that taking your beautiful car through a car wash is not the best thing to do. I can't help you with dealership recommendations, since I live and drive in California, but my rule of thumb is that the dealership must have a "certified" Crossfire technician, i.e. one trained specifically to work on our cars. If they were interested enough to go through the training, chances are they will be interested enough to get the problem solved. Good luck and let us know how it turns out and what the fix was.

 

Thank you Crossfirerose for taking the time to reply. You are right I shoudn't back down especially sonce I plan on keeping this car for a very long time. My leak starts on the top of the window where it is curved at the 45 degree angle, then it streams down the pilar. I will not take it to the car wash anymore. I thought I would have been safe at the touchless car wash but perhaps the pressure is too strong. Thank you again

 

Like AIG said, handwash it. It deserves better than to be flailed with those dirty stringy things or worse, a rotating brush. I've never had mine in a car wash, but sometimes I get some water inside over the drivers window when hosing it down. Never any water in through the rear deck area.

 

OK to make sure this is clear I never ever took my car into a car wash with brushes or rags. I only took it to a TOUCHLESS CAR WASH nothing touches the car but water and soap, no raggs no brushes. Hope that clears things up.

 

i live in north smithfield i have had good luck at IMPERIAL cyhsler rte 16 mendon mass brand new dealership

 

Well.. I just washed and waxed my car yesterday (I have washed it weekly since I bought it last month) and I also sprayed the hose over the windows and top and such but do not have any leaks at all..

 

I only hand wash my roadster. It may get a slight little leak on the inside of the glass. Vary rare though.

 

thank you very much dennisdurand. I will give them a call.

 

I generally hand-wash - but last fall, when it started to get cool, had to break down and do a touchless machine wash to keep her looking respectable. I think I only saw 1-2 drops of leakage. Amazing. In my last convertible (an Eclipse), I kept a towel under the passenger seat in case I needed a quick machine wash - it leaked like a sieve.

Just confirms my opinion that this is one seriously well-built automobile. I hope to keep it a LONG time (and I'll do my best to skip those machine washes as often as possible).

If yours leaks, have 'em fix it.

 

I have owned 3 convertables, each from a different manufacturer. None of them can make it through an automated car wash. Unless it is a hardtop convertable I have never seen one that can.