Can someone tell me what is leaking inside my roof? What is behind this round plastic fitting? Is this normal?

 

If its anything like the mercedes slk mechanism itll be the roof lock system leaking, which is hydraulically powered.....

 

Might want to get it fixed ASAP while still able to open/close roof

 

As I understand it, there is a motor behind that access plug. I assume it is what locks the convertible section of the roof into the section above the windshield. In the event that the roof doesn't close electrically, you can wind the mechanism up, using a hex wrench and then manually lock, by removing the access cover and inserting a special tool into the motor shaft and turn by hand.

The motor may have something like a silicone grease, if any lubrication at all.

 

Can I ask for a few more responses? Convertible owners, do many of you have signs of oil or grease like this on your top? Trying to find out if I should just try to clean it and move on or if I should bring it in to be looked at. How common is this? Thanks for the feedback.

 

I have a 2014 and there is no sign of leakage. All dry.

 

No problem with mine. Have you tried popping the access cover off and taking a look in there, to see if you can get a better feel for what it is? I suppose if it was water, it would eventually dry out. Does it feel like oil to touch? Does it smell of anything?

 

My ‘vert is a 2014. I can see no signs of leakage. I agree you should pop off the cover and have a look around with a strong flashlight

 

Early 2014 vert. No signs of leaks or any other problems for that matter. Though it may finally need a battery soon.

 

If you can get your finger up behind that roof cover, It should be pretty easy to tell whether it is oily (component leak) or aqueous (water leak).
Also, I would expect that if it is oily, the stain will not dry.
Perhaps somebody has the schematic for the convertible roof that would help identify possible sources?

 

This is commonly called " the green shower " hydraulic fluid leaking down on top of driver . Same problem happens to older jaguars like the xk8 , get it seen to ASAP . Google it up

 

All dry, here.
(2013 build with ~30,000 miles, top down at every opportunity)

 

Thanks for all of the responses. That is what makes this forum so good. I previously belonged to the corvette forum and found it not as helpful or friendly. Anyway, the leaking substance is definitely oily, not water based. The spot does not dry but does not seem to be getting larger either. Probably either some kind of lubricant for the motor there or maybe hydraulic fluid leaking. The plastic plug in the photo does not come out easily so I will bring it to the dealer for their opinion and will report back. Surprising no other convertible owners have seen this.

 

2014 convertible here, haven't seen it but will definitely be watching for it now!

 

2017S here. I removed the plug to check mine and found some "oil" so took it to the dealer. Per the dealer the locking motor on mine is electric so no hydraulic fluid. The oily substance was - as Brit-Type suggested - the grease from the manual winding mechanism. He said that when it gets hot the grease can liquefy and drip onto the plug which seems to have happened with mine. Although it being early Spring in Chicago I use the term "hot" loosely.

 

Hopefully, JD will be able to clean the stain from the roof liner.

 

Thanks WCats. That makes total sense. With the temps here in AZ already in the mid 90's the grease in my winding mechanism must be super-liquefied by now. A few questions:

- how did you remove the plug?
- were you able to clean the roof-liner and how?
- do you think it's just a matter of too much grease being used on the winding mechanism?
- would you recommend just removing the plug, and cleaning the excess grease without need to take it to the dealer (my appt is next week)?

Thanks again for the info - it is helpful!

 

I rented a car there several years ago in August, and could have literally fried the proverbial egg on the car's bonnet!
Hope you can get the stain out.

 

Jwoody17 -
-I could pop the plug out with a fingernail. I haven’t cleaned it yet, very little staining, but I imagine a leather cleaner would do it. I only checked it because of your post, not because I saw anything.
-I don’t know if it is too much grease, the dealer did not say that but we did not really talk about it either. Seems strange it would leak out so easily (maybe Lucas makes the motor). I was wondering the opposite - if the grease has come out does that mean there is now too little in the motor. I will bring that up with the dealer.
-I would think that removing the plug and cleaning it would be enough. But if you are under warranty and bringing it to the dealer is not too much trouble it would be good to have all this confirmed. But not sure I would pay to have them tell what you already - likely - know. Would be interesting if they say anything different - if you do take it in.

 

I've had other older cars (1980s) that had issues when gear grease warmed up, dripped, and contaminated the brushes on electric window motors.
They were made by Bosch, and came from Jaguars, as a matter of fact.

When you get that access plug off, please post some pictures, both close-up and farther away...