Leaky seals? Try this first

[MRII]

I use to work at a Honda/Acura dealerships in my past and I came across a grease called Shin-Etsu that works wonders that I want to share with everyone. I purchased my MR2 about 3 years ago and it had the leaky t-tops and wind noise from the door seals. Basically the rubber seals get hard and dry up from the sun/heat and they require to be lubed up. I used this grease to lube up (insert porn music) the seals and wow, leaks and wind noise went away. I lube the seals every 2nd oil change and the seals are nice and soft. On my previous cars I used silicone spray and it was a messy job because you can easily overspray on the glass, dash, etc. And I would not recommend transmission fluid at all as some of the old timers would do.

Now if the rubber seals are too far gone then you will probably have to replace them but I would try this first. Honda or Acura sell this grease and it is around $20 for the tube and it last for quite a while. You do not have to apply a lot of grease, just a little and then massage it into the seal and let it obsorb for about 15 mins. I have used this grease to lube up the seals on my sisters Mazda 626 and the sunroof seals that had moss growing on it, cleaned the seal up and lubed away. Seals look and work great.
Toyota may have a smiliar grease but I am stuck on this stuff. Anyways i hope this helps.

[thelaw604]

I second that.

I've also used it with success. Mine was leaking on the passenger side during rain a few drops every 10secs. Now it only leaks 1 drop every hour (if that - don't notice anything wet when I come back to the car) during heavy rain while sitting, and not driving.

Of course, don't forget the eccentric ttop guides too. I bought a set but haven't used them yet as this solved my problem for the most part.

[PearlWhiteMR2]

I found success with simply using an air compressor on a low setting to blow the channels that water is supposed to flow down out. The t-tops stopped leaking altogether because the water had a place to go. It has started a slow leak again, so I'm going to simply do this. They get blocked up over time with junk, so I believe it's a good yearly maintenance thing, and something to try before buying anything, because this could be the only problem.

[MRII]

I found success with simply using an air compressor on a low setting to blow the channels that water is supposed to flow down out. They get blocked up over time with junk, so I believe it's a good yearly maintenance thing, and something to try before buying anything, because this could be the only problem.

I need to do this next. It is a good idea just to do it once a year, i remember a TL that was leaking from the sunroof and the drains were plugged causing water to soak the headliner around the sunroof. Tech blew out the drains and leak was gone.

[immorality]

I love reading this thread!

[yeungun]

My cost is about $20 taxes in for Shin-Etsu. I can get some if you guys need.

[Oteck]

can i use this for my hardtop?

[immorality]

can i use this for my hardtop?

[yeungun]

can i use this for my hardtop?

Yes you can as a matter of fact. You have weatherstrips and runchannels on your car don't you?
I would even go as far as using it on the trunk/frunk seal too.

Good question Billy Madison, anyone else?

[Saiko]

can i use this for my hardtop?

Save yourself the money, Joe, your car will never see rain... or the road

[MRII]

I am actually use the grease on all the weatherstripping on the car every second oil change. I also remembered i was getting a small pool of water in the frunk after car wash or it rained so i applied the grease to the seal and problem went away. Trunk, Frunk, door seals, etc. Also the window run channels need a little love too or it will start to interfere with the window motor causing the windows to roll up slower, wearing out the motors quicker too. Just need to apply a little bit and then wipe it off or it will smear all over the window making a mess.

Someone ask me if vaseline would work and the answer is no, vaseline is a petroluem product and and rubber piece is also the same, basically vaseline would deteriorate the seals very quickly.

[oasis]

Is this Shin-Etsu a silicone-based grease?

[Goopi]

I just bought some Male + Female guides last week, completely forgot about this. If that doesn't work I'll try using this method for sure.

[MRII]

Is this Shin-Etsu a silicone-based grease?

I am pretty sure it is silicone based unless they changed it over the last year.

[Goopi]

It worked! No more dripping from the t-tops. My drain tubes are clogged though I just have to replace them when I have time. It turns out my car was missing a female guide on the right side, rear!