mfg Posted April 30, 2022 Report Share Posted April 30, 2022 On Avanti ll models, usually of the '70-'85 vintage, what are the two fiberglass body panels that should be checked occasionally for adhesive (bonding) breakdown? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted April 30, 2022 Report Share Posted April 30, 2022 hood and trunk lid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfg Posted April 30, 2022 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2022 4 minutes ago, pantera928 said: hood and trunk lid Hood...CORRECT!....Trunk lid....No Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted April 30, 2022 Report Share Posted April 30, 2022 doors Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfg Posted May 1, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2022 2 hours ago, pantera928 said: doors Nope,...not much trouble with Avanti doors! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted May 1, 2022 Report Share Posted May 1, 2022 Well, I am at a loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfg Posted May 1, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2022 10 hours ago, pantera928 said: Well, I am at a loss. HINT...Let's get some fresh air & light in here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight FitzSimons Posted May 1, 2022 Report Share Posted May 1, 2022 Roof. --Dwight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfg Posted May 1, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2022 5 minutes ago, Dwight FitzSimons said: Roof. --Dwight Yep, on moonroof models anyway, a REAL nasty problem!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdaly Posted May 1, 2022 Report Share Posted May 1, 2022 I did not know that - now I do - thanks TRIVIA😳 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted May 2, 2022 Report Share Posted May 2, 2022 4 hours ago, mfg said: Yep, on moonroof models anyway, a REAL nasty problem!! What is the problem? Any details on that issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunslinger Posted May 2, 2022 Report Share Posted May 2, 2022 The moonroofs Avanti Motors used were not designed strictly for the Avanti...they were adapted from another vehicle (Lincoln I believe)...and thus were neither fish nor fowl when it came to long term durability. They would leak after a time if the glass warped or the roof fiberglass degraded or if the seals dried out. Their drains were channeled into the hog troughs where the water would sit and cause rust. Most advanced Avanti owners avoid moonroof equipped cars. I know a guy (now passed away) who owned a body shop. He actually had the roof off his Avanti sliced off and a NOS, solid roof grafted on to get away from the problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight FitzSimons Posted May 2, 2022 Report Share Posted May 2, 2022 I hate sunroofs/moonroofs because they leak, and, worst of all, take up essential headroom, especially in the back seat. However, I once had a car with a moonroof that I liked, a 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT. This wasn't the elaborate apparatus that dropped and slid backward, taking up a couple inches of rear headroom. It simply tilted up (hinged at front). It could be closed, tilted up, or removed and stored in the trunk. The seal was simple and easy to replace. Of course, Fieros had a plastic (SMS?) body, so installation might not be too difficult in an Avanti for those who want a moonroof in their Avanti. --Dwight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted May 2, 2022 Report Share Posted May 2, 2022 6 hours ago, Gunslinger said: The moonroofs Avanti Motors used were not designed strictly for the Avanti...they were adapted from another vehicle (Lincoln I believe)...and thus were neither fish nor fowl when it came to long term durability. They would leak after a time if the glass warped or the roof fiberglass degraded or if the seals dried out. Their drains were channeled into the hog troughs where the water would sit and cause rust. Most advanced Avanti owners avoid moonroof equipped cars. I know a guy (now passed away) who owned a body shop. He actually had the roof off his Avanti sliced off and a NOS, solid roof grafted on to get away from the problems. Interesting as I have a sunroof and no leaks. Knock on wood! Dan Booth keeps telling me to buy a new roof without the sunroof from him. THe only issue is finding seals for it that even Dan does not have Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfg Posted May 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2022 2 hours ago, pantera928 said: Interesting as I have a sunroof and no leaks. Knock on wood! Dan Booth keeps telling me to buy a new roof without the sunroof from him. THe only issue is finding seals for it that even Dan does not have That's great your sunroof isn't leaking......The bonding has let go on many, many of these units causing a real mess inside the car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted May 3, 2022 Report Share Posted May 3, 2022 2 hours ago, mfg said: That's great your sunroof isn't leaking......The bonding has let go on many, many of these units causing a real mess inside the car! So how do you prevent this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfg Posted May 3, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2022 1 hour ago, pantera928 said: So how do you prevent this? Keep your eye on the roof area around the sunroof/moonroof for any sign of the fiberglass separating from the mechanism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted May 3, 2022 Report Share Posted May 3, 2022 14 hours ago, mfg said: Keep your eye on the roof area around the sunroof/moonroof for any sign of the fiberglass separating from the mechanism. Interesting but not sure where to look as most things are covered by headliner and trim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfg Posted May 3, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2022 4 hours ago, pantera928 said: Interesting but not sure where to look as most things are covered by headliner and trim The fiberglass roof panel will start to raise up in spots, breaking away from the inner construction.....easily visible from outside the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zedman Posted May 4, 2022 Report Share Posted May 4, 2022 Thanks for this topic- I had no idea !. My moonroof was found to be siliconed shut and still is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfg Posted May 4, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2022 1 hour ago, Zedman said: Thanks for this topic- I had no idea !. My moonroof was found to be siliconed shut and still is. Yes, the fiberglass roof panel may have separated...on the other hand the leak may have occurred due to clogged moonroof drain tubes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted May 5, 2022 Report Share Posted May 5, 2022 On 5/3/2022 at 6:00 PM, mfg said: The fiberglass roof panel will start to raise up in spots, breaking away from the inner construction.....easily visible from outside the car. Interesting. I have none of that and my drains are clear. If it happens, I am sure I can repair it with modern panel bond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zedman Posted May 5, 2022 Report Share Posted May 5, 2022 15 hours ago, mfg said: Yes, the fiberglass roof panel may have separated...on the other hand the leak may have occurred due to clogged moonroof drain tubes. Thanks for the Heads up on this , I never had much of an opportunity to check the sunroof when I got the car- I will have a look when I get an opportunity( Its 60 miles away and in bits right now.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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