LEAKY CREEKY CONVERTIBLE

[SSCAMAROGUY]

Well folks, I took delivery of a brand new Rally Yellow SS convertible a few weeks ago and last week I dropped it off at the dealership for its fourth round of repairs.

It started out with no heat, that was an easy fix, then I noticed the release latch on the rear of the drivers seat did not work. The part was ordered. These are the easy fixes and I'm not too concerned.

The convertible top on the other hand is proving to be very problematic. When adding a set of Weather Tech Custom floor mats, I noticed the rear passenger floor was soaking wet. I looked online and noticed an ever growing number of convertible owners complaining about a similar issue.

When it went in the first time, the Service Manager advised me that there is a bladder under the rear of the top, designed to collect and channel water to a connecting drain tube. The problem it seems is that when the top retracts, it puts pressure on the bladder and dislodges it from the drain tube. The water then seeps into the back of the car.

In my case, regardless of reconnecting the drain tube, the next time the top is put down, the problem repeats itself. They, as of yesterday did not have a solution to this issue.

The second Convertible related problem relates to a horrific metal on metal noise the top started making when being lowered. I alerted the dealership to that as well and I stopped lowering the top until I could bring it in for them to look at on my last visit. Their solution was to grease up all the moving parts. They said that after multiple up's and down's and a good lubing that the noise was gone. They were right about the noise, however when I got it home, I noticed a big blob of white lithium grease on one of the tops side rails, just above the rear quarter window. I got a cloth to wipe it and it was evident that it was put there to cover a bent and jagged metal side rail. They fixed the noise all right, but at the expense of a structural piece of the top that must have been rubbing against another metal component. The continuous up and down, merely bent things to a point where no contact is now being made.

Today they called to advise me that parts are ordered and will take 10-14 days for delivery. ( I recently ordered an ipod which was shipped from China and at my door in three business days, yet parts for a car manufactured in Oshawa, 3 hours down the road from me will take up to 14 days, unbelievable ) Once the parts arrive, they will have to completely remove the top and start from scratch with the top and bladder. I'm told it is a fairly big job and they readily admit they have not done one yet. Color me worried ! They said it will likely be another 3 weeks before I see my baby again.

I'm trying to be patient, but for a car that was supposedly designed from the start to be a drop top, I'm not impressed.

[ron10]

welcome to C5.
i am glad i never have been a vert person,just because of these type problems.stay on them until they get it right.

['11 cyber grey vert]

Originally Posted by SSCAMAROGUY

Well folks, I took delivery of a brand new Rally Yellow SS convertible a few weeks ago and last week I dropped it off at the dealership for its fourth round of repairs.

It started out with no heat, that was an easy fix, then I noticed the release latch on the rear of the drivers seat did not work. The part was ordered. These are the easy fixes and I'm not too concerned.

The convertible top on the other hand is proving to be very problematic. When adding a set of Weather Tech Custom floor mats, I noticed the rear passenger floor was soaking wet. I looked online and noticed an ever growing number of convertible owners complaining about a similar issue.

When it went in the first time, the Service Manager advised me that there is a bladder under the rear of the top, designed to collect and channel water to a connecting drain tube. The problem it seems is that when the top retracts, it puts pressure on the bladder and dislodges it from the drain tube. The water then seeps into the back of the car.

In my case, regardless of reconnecting the drain tube, the next time the top is put down, the problem repeats itself. They, as of yesterday did not have a solution to this issue.

The second Convertible related problem relates to a horrific metal on metal noise the top started making when being lowered. I alerted the dealership to that as well and I stopped lowering the top until I could bring it in for them to look at on my last visit. Their solution was to grease up all the moving parts. They said that after multiple up's and down's and a good lubing that the noise was gone. They were right about the noise, however when I got it home, I noticed a big blob of white lithium grease on one of the tops side rails, just above the rear quarter window. I got a cloth to wipe it and it was evident that it was put there to cover a bent and jagged metal side rail. They fixed the noise all right, but at the expense of a structural piece of the top that must have been rubbing against another metal component. The continuous up and down, merely bent things to a point where no contact is now being made.

Today they called to advise me that parts are ordered and will take 10-14 days for delivery. ( I recently ordered an ipod which was shipped from China and at my door in three business days, yet parts for a car manufactured in Oshawa, 3 hours down the road from me will take up to 14 days, unbelievable ) Once the parts arrive, they will have to completely remove the top and start from scratch with the top and bladder. I'm told it is a fairly big job and they readily admit they have not done one yet. Color me worried ! They said it will likely be another 3 weeks before I see my baby again.

I'm trying to be patient, but for a car that was supposedly designed from the start to be a drop top, I'm not impressed.

These forums are loaded with top issues.Had I known about all the issues I might have not purchased mine, but I absolutely love it!
Knock on wood, I had not experienced too many issues yet.I did have the creeking sound when I first got it,the dealer lubed up the roof frame and no more noise.I do however have some wind noise at about 100 kph (60 mph) seems to be coming from the rear window area but thankfully no leaks.I am afraid based upon all the posts to address this issue as some dealers do not have much experience replacing tops and who is to say the replacement won't be worse than the original.My vert is in storage for the winter and hopefully by next year GM will get all the roof fixes finalized.
Also, I would have thought that GM would not have had these roof issues as it is a very similar system to the corvette convertibles.(inferior parts used on the camaros?)
but hopefully GM gets this resolved.

Congrats on your new ride....Keep on top of GM to make it right.

[bulllett]

Welcome to the site. And welcome to our facebook page;

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175669

Please feel free to join so you can hang with the rest of us You'll find the problems are not unknown. What is currently unknown is the fix......

[Nutbutt]

My advice is to ask for a GM rep to be present when the top gets removed, the water management bag fixed and top gets put back on. They will verify the fix is done correctly. The source of most of the problems on this site are because the top was fixed/replaced by a person who knew nothing about this top, how it is properly attached, and the interaction with the water management system.
Ask if they have ever replaced a camaro top before. Tell them its now a simple corvette top, and that GM will send someone out to make sure its done right the first time.
Good luck and don't get frustrated by this, as you know these cars are great !

[OrangeVert]

Originally Posted by SSCAMAROGUY

... ( I recently ordered an ipod which was shipped from China and at my door in three business days, yet parts for a car manufactured in Oshawa, 3 hours down the road from me will take up to 14 days, unbelievable ) Once the parts arrive, they will have to completely remove the top and start from scratch with the top and bladder. I'm told it is a fairly big job and they readily admit they have not done one yet. Color me worried ! They said it will likely be another 3 weeks before I see my baby again.

I'm trying to be patient, but for a car that was supposedly designed from the start to be a drop top, I'm not impressed.

I used to work for GM in 1981 and believe me, 14 days to get parts was about right if they were not in stock at the dealership or any other in town we could get them from. Though we have progressed as a society over the last 30 years, old systems and ways of doing business apparently die hard. Yes, unbelieveable. I find it surprising that no "startup" automotive company has come along - but with increasing safety & gov't regs, it make sense that they haven't.

Still, when I found that I could order a new SS convertible, I jumped at the chance. And am still glad I did many months later. Fortunately mine hasn't been plagued with problems as many OPs here have mentioned.

[95birdible]

I have been waiting in trim for the rear windows since October 13th. that's 5 weeks for 2 pieces of plastic. No wonder customer satisfaction is at an all time low.

[SnowVert]

Mine has been in for a week and a half now needing a #5 Bow replacement... I called on Monday and was told they haven't even located a part to ship yet...

[classicrockr]

So what is the problem with the #5 bow? this is the first I've heard of this. What should I look/listen for?

[SnowVert]

While lowering my top one evening after work, I heard a subtle "pop" coming from the area of the 5th bow as it was halfway down... as it lowered into the trunk, I noticed that the top was sitting about an inch or two higher than in normaly had so I raised the top up.

In looking at the top once it was up, I noticed that I had a gap on both sides directly behind the windows large enough to fit my hand through. I also saw that the gap along the back of the top was not seated right, as seen in this thread:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...ght=major+leak

If you look at the pic on the first page from 1981 Z28, that's how mine looked near the trunk. I also saw that the back of the roof appeared loose. I saw it ripling in the wind as I drove it home that night. When I got home, I tried to put it down again but I noted as it began lowering into the trunk, the top was actually getting caught on the top corners of the back seat...

It was obvious that something critical had failed. Of course this happened to me on a Saturday night so I had to wait to bring it into my dealer. When I brought it in early monday morning, the Service Department was excellent to deal with, immediately saying it was an obvious warranty issue and they quickly set me up with a loaner car.

My only complaint/concern is that it has been almost two weeks now and at last check with the dealer, they are still trying to locate a part. So mine is out of commission indefinitely.

I love this car dearly... As long as this "fix" works the first time, I will not bring the issue any further. However I know that under Minnesota Lemon law, I can begin that process if the vehicle is out for service 30 business days within the first 2 years of ownership... Since Sept 20th, I have 9 business days so far and there isn't an end in sight. My only hope is that Chevrolet has the correct fix out there now. I'd hate to gamble with another 2012 Vert and I'm not sure I would... A lemon law would be a last resort though, and I am very willing to work with Chevrolet towards a solution to this problem. I just want it to work the way a $43,000 car should...

[TJ91]

lemon law?

[jmaryt]

Originally Posted by SSCAMAROGUY

Well folks, I took delivery of a brand new Rally Yellow SS convertible a few weeks ago and last week I dropped it off at the dealership for its fourth round of repairs.

It started out with no heat, that was an easy fix, then I noticed the release latch on the rear of the drivers seat did not work. The part was ordered. These are the easy fixes and I'm not too concerned.

The convertible top on the other hand is proving to be very problematic. When adding a set of Weather Tech Custom floor mats, I noticed the rear passenger floor was soaking wet. I looked online and noticed an ever growing number of convertible owners complaining about a similar issue.

When it went in the first time, the Service Manager advised me that there is a bladder under the rear of the top, designed to collect and channel water to a connecting drain tube. The problem it seems is that when the top retracts, it puts pressure on the bladder and dislodges it from the drain tube. The water then seeps into the back of the car.

In my case, regardless of reconnecting the drain tube, the next time the top is put down, the problem repeats itself. They, as of yesterday did not have a solution to this issue.

The second Convertible related problem relates to a horrific metal on metal noise the top started making when being lowered. I alerted the dealership to that as well and I stopped lowering the top until I could bring it in for them to look at on my last visit. Their solution was to grease up all the moving parts. They said that after multiple up's and down's and a good lubing that the noise was gone. They were right about the noise, however when I got it home, I noticed a big blob of white lithium grease on one of the tops side rails, just above the rear quarter window. I got a cloth to wipe it and it was evident that it was put there to cover a bent and jagged metal side rail. They fixed the noise all right, but at the expense of a structural piece of the top that must have been rubbing against another metal component. The continuous up and down, merely bent things to a point where no contact is now being made.

Today they called to advise me that parts are ordered and will take 10-14 days for delivery. ( I recently ordered an ipod which was shipped from China and at my door in three business days, yet parts for a car manufactured in Oshawa, 3 hours down the road from me will take up to 14 days, unbelievable ) Once the parts arrive, they will have to completely remove the top and start from scratch with the top and bladder. I'm told it is a fairly big job and they readily admit they have not done one yet. Color me worried ! They said it will likely be another 3 weeks before I see my baby again.

I'm trying to be patient, but for a car that was supposedly designed from the start to be a drop top, I'm not impressed.

and you paid how much for the "vert!?..(w.t.f!)..here we go again!..general? don't be 'backslidin' " on us!..just sayin'

[monstertodd]

I'm seriously bummed about all these reports I've been reading about the convertible. I've been considering trading in my 2010 SS on a vert. But with all these top issues......I don't know. :(

I just cannot believe a north american company hasn't tried to step up to the plate to solve these problems for GM.

The top is still made by a German company right?

[2001ragtop]

I have been highly curious about this "convertible" because you can clearly see how huge the top is, and how specialized it had to be to create the right shape.

This isn't the "standard" old-fashioned type of top mechanism which you would see in something like a 2001 mustang, or a 60's Camaro/GTO/Chevelle etc.

(as an engineer) I would have taken the SAFEST road possible when designing this top mechanism. It likely would have looked like the old-fashioned type mechanism. (whatever used to work, or what always worked).

This top design (with the so called-bladder)....it just sounds like perhaps they didn't have any other options. the convertible top frame is extremely long from the top of the windshield to the rear. I repeatedly wondered (Did they actually figure out a way to make a top like that work ?)

Interestingly, it doesn't sound like the metal braces/bows are causing serious problems. The water drainage issue looks to be relatively serious.

The scuffing of the top material looks to have be solved, or resolved.

I like this car a lot, though I don't own one. The other morning I saw two New Camaro convertibles on the road one behind the other. They are becoming more prevalent in the Dallas area.

Well hope they get your car fixed eventually.

This type of thing would scare me from spending 40K or more for a car like this though.

peace out