Windows popping out at speed: fixed!

[jonbarrett]

At 70mph the windows would pop out of the roof seals causing big wind noise. Turns out some early cars, mine included, do not have sufficient vents. I spotted an official TVR fix involving drilling three holes in either side of the boot floor and installing tubes to stop water getting in.

Did the job today and it has made a massive difference. No more wind noise at motorway speeds.

The holes are just behind the rear wheels so I was worried that they would throw lots of water into the boot even with the tubes. I took the car out in the rain and there was no sign of any water getting in.

Just to be safe I also plan to add the later design roof and door seals.

If anyone is interested I can post some pics.

[Gazzab]

the other official fix is to drill under the rear screen.

[GTti]

My 98 also does the same at high speed. If you could post some pics that would be great.

My Nissan Vanette has the same problem at any speed. A hole saw through the rear doors would probably do the trick with that though Or gaffer tape the fronts shut and just use the back doors

[jonbarrett]

Rear screen was already drilled. Pics tomorrow.

[jon h]

I read the fix you are on about, I think, but could not quite get my head around how to do it. I have the same problem whereby as you reach a certain speed, the windows pop, so I await the pics with baited breath!

Jon H

[Scrooloose]

I look forward to this too.

My window tends to pop at about 115.....

[jonbarrett]

I have no idea whether what I have done is right but is helps. The tubes are made from 90deg, solvent weld tank connectors from B&Q. I cut off the 90deg bend to leave a large flat face and the screw connector. Outer face spayed black to match the underside of the boot. Boot drilled using 30mm dia hole cutter. Plenty of silicone sealant on the outer washer and screw up tight. Just need to tidy the carpet. Eventhough the holes are just behind the rear wheel there is no water getting in. If this became a problem I would just extend the tubes. I'm also looking at increasing the area of the slot under the rear window.

Much less wind noise and better flow through the heater and aircon. I can still get the windows to pop but at higher speeds. This is part of a four-point fix. I now need to do the hot air recurculation modification and replace both the door seals and roof seals with the later design seals.

With all this done the car should be roughly how it was originally designed to be: wind noise and draft free at speed. Here's hoping.

[C2HYM]

Thats great if it works, mine does this at about 90mph and I was wondering if just making the vents under the rear window larger would help.

How does the boot venting actually work? does the cabin vent in to the boot by the rear seats?

[jonbarrett]

Good point about the cabin to boot vent. I assume there are lots of small holes for wires, pipes etc. However, my next job is to get behind the rear seats, probably through the helmet hole, and put in some vents if necessary.

[copilot]

Don't like the idea of holes just behind the wheels, but what a great fix! Mine does this too, so I will be thinking seriously how to vent mine. Keep this thread going!