Need Help - Sail Panel/Roof With bubbles ?

**99CANADAHAWK** · 01-20-2008, 11:09 AM

Hello hope someone can help me , I bought a 99 Firehawk T/A this summer and noticed small bubbles that are bleading water ? ( only happens when the sun is on it ) on the driver side rear sail panel/roof . I took it to a bodyshop , they said that the roof has been removed at sometime and that toomuch apoxy was used to put it back on & some chemical is seaping through the paint . I recently saw a T/A on Ebay with the same problem , is this a defect on F-Bodys or what is it ??
Thanks.

**TransAm11973** · 01-20-2008, 12:15 PM

this is actually a factory defect from epoxy used on certain years, its the gas from the epoxy that seeps through. do a search and you can find the recall write up for it. Although I hav heard its real tough to get them to honor this problem. Findthe write up and call ur service dept. Let me know I was gonna do this with mine too but itsn ot very bad and I have heard nothing but headaches from the people who try to have this recall honored.

**Rhinohuey** · 01-20-2008, 01:01 PM

I got the same problem. GM has a TSB on replacing that roof section but our cars aren't at all covered for the problem. I'm not sure about the 2000-up cars.

**99CANADAHAWK** · 01-20-2008, 02:15 PM

Thanks for the help , my sail panel gets ugly when the sun comes out , I will try to find the write upon it . I have a friend that works at a GM Dealership maybe he could find the service bulltin ? The T/A I saw on Ebay was a 99 so maybe its only on pre 2000 cars ?
But if I can`t would painting it work or would I have to buy a new panel ? Does anyone know how much they cost ?

Again Thanks Guys .

**Rhinohuey** · 01-20-2008, 02:43 PM

Painting it won't fix the problem. The glue that was used to hold the panel on actually comes through both the panel and the paint. So, the panel acutally has to be removed and a new one has the be glued on, following the instruction from the TSB, to fix the problem.

**SENN13** · 01-20-2008, 03:10 PM

My previous F-body (2001 Camaro) had the same issue. After two different body shops painted the panel two different times to no avail, the top was replaced and painted free of charge.

**99CANADAHAWK** · 01-20-2008, 04:46 PM

So basicaly I will have to buy a new roof ? How much do they cost ?

**rjdooz** · 01-20-2008, 04:56 PM

I had this problem on my 2000 Trans Am and my local Pontiac dealer took care of it for me for a $100.00 deductible.

**PontiacFan** · 01-20-2008, 06:52 PM

Common problem among the late 4th gen Firebird platform.
Search for more detail.
TSB attached.
Print it & take it to your GM dealer to see if they'll help you out.
At a minimum, I'd try to get them to pay half.
But don't succumb to paying for it yourself.
If the first dealer won't do it, find a different one.
And stay away from the body shop who wants to simply paint over it.

**INMY01TA** · 01-20-2008, 07:14 PM

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=308546
http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21339
Read up on it. There's a TSB but pretty much all these cars are out of warranty now and they dont have to fix it. Give it a try tho, may get lucky. I got them to fix mine a couple years ago under the 6 year corrosion policy. Looked into getting it done out of pocket prior to this and got a few estimates. Basically like $850-$950.

**NvyBluMtlc02WS6** · 01-20-2008, 09:26 PM

I have the same problem...gotta get off my butt and get it in there. I'm running out of time. My six years is up right around the corner

**INMY01TA** · 01-21-2008, 06:02 AM

Originally Posted by NvyBluMtlc02WS6

I have the same problem...gotta get off my butt and get it in there. I'm running out of time. My six years is up right around the corner

They wont always honor that either. I got lucky. Good luck.

**NvyBluMtlc02WS6** · 01-21-2008, 07:59 PM

They better...I still fall under the 6 year corrosion warranty!

**BANDITCAR** · 01-22-2008, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by NvyBluMtlc02WS6

They better...I still fall under the 6 year corrosion warranty!

When I went to the dealership they told me that it wasn't covered under the 6 year corrosion warranty because it was paint/plastic and not metal.

I had to contact pontiac directly and had a rep work on getting the problem solved for me. After about 3 weeks of her getting things going they sent out a local representative to okay the work and then 3 months later the dealership set up an appointment to have it done. All for FREE!

This was about 3 years ago now.

**99CANADAHAWK** · 01-23-2008, 03:48 PM

Well Thanks everyone I`m going to go to the local Pontiac dealership in the spring and I`ll take the TSB sheet with me & see what happens. The good thing is that I do work at a dealership ( not a GM though ) and all of the dealers use the same body/paint shop so I may be able to work somthing out or get a lower repair cost even if I can`t get GM to fix it .

**02cetransam** · 01-23-2008, 05:10 PM

do you have to be the original owner to be covered??

**wantaLS1** · 01-23-2008, 06:23 PM

i wouldnt think you'd have to be the original owner. just like a 3yr/36k warranty, if you sell the car, it passes on the the next owner

**02TransSD** · 01-25-2008, 08:59 PM

i have noticed my car getting that same problem recently. when i bought my 02 last summer, i did get a two year warranty that basically covers everything, would that be covered do you think?

***JC*** · 01-27-2008, 12:52 PM

Yea, you do have to do a lot of complaining... But you should be able to get it repaired.

I had the same problem and asked around at several dealerships/shops. I even contacted the corporate offices to further my resolve to get this fixed. Eventually in a few weeks I had my closest dealer to do the work all free of charge. However, my local dealer had some incentive to do it for free and not give me a lot of trouble about it. He knew the car was in great condidtion and that it does it's fair amount of car shows. So, the $1000 job is advertisment you can't buy than making a known customer happy that is sure to pass along a good word to other Pontiac owners...

**The_Wretched** · 02-14-2008, 08:56 AM

i called Pontiac customer service and they told me to take it in and then they would evaluate.

i have 3 months left on my 6yr/100k mile rust warranty.

what do you think my chances are for them to classify it under that???

if you had it done under warranty can I get your name and stuff so i can show the dealer/pontiac. also the dealership where the repair happened...thanks. much appreciated. got a chance to test my Law school skills....
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