Convertible Drain?

[SNAKEYE]

Over the weekend I was under the car and noticed water dripping from the junction of the rear end of the rocker panel and the front of the rear inner fender on both sides of the car, which is a convertible.
There does not appear to be a formal drain, that is a hole or opening in between panels to let the water out. It just appears to ooze out of the cracks. I am concerned about the trapped water causing rust in this area.
Water (and debris) apparently comes off the top and into the channel at the back edge of the top and just in front of the trunk. I have not attempted to look down behind the back seat with the top up to see what's going on back there.
Is there a formal drain system back there that requires periodic maintenance?

[gcassidy]

SNAKEYE, my vert hasn't seen rain in a while, but tomorrow I have an errend to do with it, and of course, it's supposed to rain. So I'll try and see if mine does the same after it's back in the corral.
BTW, our SVT chapter is having a get together at 75/80 Dragway near Frederick this Sat. Why don't you stop on by if you're free.
Greg

[SNAKEYE]

Well now, besides rain there is wash water.
As for the invite, I have to pass. Several reasons for that. First our SVT chapter is participating in some 1/4 mile blasts this Saturday too. But I hadn't planned to go there either. Two reasons: 1) my insurance frowns on the 1/4-mile stuff, and 2) while I've never been clocked in a 1/4-mile, I think the Vortech would put me under 14.0 seconds and then I have to have a helmet and maybe other stuff I don't have. So no-go on that score.
And second there's the current fact that 'SNAKEYE' is up on stands awaiting the arrival, and subsequent installation, of a 255 lph/90 psi in-tank fuel pump to replace the 190 lph in-tank AND Vortech's T-Rex in-line fuel pump. I'm already for it. Should arrive tomorrow on the Big Brown Truck. And the weather is going to go back to its top-down mode just in time for test cruising. But right now I get shutdown by the ice cream truck!

[gcassidy]

Well, I'd never believe it, but when I have to drive in the rain, it stops early. But I did get it dirty at the track today, so if the weather is warm enough, I'll be washing it. I'll look for any leaks.

I took my helmet, just in case. But it was wishful thinking. I couldn't get past the low 14's. I only did a few runs, just to see what she'd do.
I understand the insurance issue, and everyone has to make they're own decision on that. But at this track (I know they can all be different), verts under 13 needed bar and helmet. Quite a few blown Mustangs there, many Cobra's. Only one went into the 12s. Not a very good track tractionwise, I've been told.
Greg

[SNAKEYE]

Well now, you all sure had a nice day to burn off the 1/4 mile.
The track's traction may have been dubious but you couldn't blame Mother Nature for anything.
I raised my top and looked around. Looks like water would eventually exit the trough at the bottom of the top where the trough meets the rear window. At that point it is literally inside the car. I couldn't see well enough, even with a light, down to the inside floor because of all of the roof lifting mechanism stuff. I also looked and felt along the underside of the rear end of the rocker panel. Found nothing. Maybe the clading covers something?
My fuel pump showed up on schedule and was installed by mid-afternoon Saturday. The initial results were mixed. First the pressure was like 20-25 psi. I chalked that off to air in the system.
I went for gas and after restarting the pressure was tremendous: 60-75 psi!
Then on Sunday all was right back to it normal low self. I pulled the FMU apart. There was an untightened screw inside, but probably not enough to cause an internal leak of vacuum or fuel.
The first engine start after reinstalling it had good pressure around 60 psi. Subsequent starts sent it right back down to the 20 psi range.
I gotta call Vortech on this one. I think the FMU is allowing the
pressure to leak off back to the fuel tank both when not running ( the pressure drops way off overnight) and when running.
Oh well, tomorrow's another day.

[gcassidy]

Does sound like it's leaking back down. Don't know enough about how the FMU works to know why. Is it a diaphram setup? Possibly any other leaks anywhere? I guess they might show up as fuel leaks. Wish you well with it. I know how frustrating it can be chasing gremlins.
I'll look for runoff next time I get my car wet.
Greg

[SNAKEYE]

No external leaks. There are two rubber diaphragms: one that operates by vaccuum which is mechanically linked to the other which controls the flow of gas. No springs! I would suspect that the first is supposed to hold the second shut against the return fuel line's pressure, but has lost its resilience. So after the initial pressure hits the second it is able to push the first back, which allows fuel to flow back to the tank and never builds pressure up.
My theory. I have to call Vortech on this one. I read somewhere about replacement parts for the FMU. Looks like I need'em.