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1978 CADDY. 2 other problems

Started by R Schroeder, May 05, 2011, 07:04:44 PM

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R Schroeder

ONE , is when the windows are up , the door will bounce back when you close it, but close with ease when the window is down or open a bit. Its like a air compression when the windows are up. Is there a relief someplace for the air to get out ?

TWO , I was cleaning out the car for our show in a couple of weeks. I noticed a little white powder type mold on the leather sets, at the sides where it touches the side panel.
Is there anything that can be used to prevent this while in storage ?
Roy

Jim Skelly

Roy,

Regarding the pressurized door, look to see if the anti-rattle piece at the top front corner of the door is loose or bent after comparing it to the other door.  If that is fine, you might want to adjust the window outward just slightly to put less pressure on the pane.  Of course you would have to do a water test to ensure there was no water leaking afterward. 

If the car is stored in a garage that is not climate controlled, you might need to replace the door seals or add dessicant packets inside the car to absorb the moisture.

Jim Skelly
CLC #15958
'68 Eldorado, '77 Biarritz
Jim Skelly, CLC #15958

R Schroeder

#2
Jim, the window is in a frame , so there is no adjustment. If I lower it even 1/4 inch the door will close fine. Its just when they are both up that the door needs to be closed harder to get it to close. This is either door. It will bounce back after catching the pin in the body.
Lower the window some and it closes fine. Built up air pressure seems to be the problem.
Car only has 17,000 on it and the rubber is perfect. All of the rubber on the car is perfect and soft.

As far as the light mold, I was wondering about baking soda ?

Mike Josephic CLC #3877

The "white powder" you are seeing on the leather is most likely a by-product
of the leather cleaner / conditioner you are using.  This usually shows up after
cleaning it and storing for a long period of time.  It's not "mold" per se, just a
blooming of the leather preservative / cleaner leaching out over time.

You might want to try another leather cleaner / protectant.  Lexol is good but
ther are others.

Mike

1955 Cadillac Eldorado
1973 Cadillac Eldorado
1995 Cadillac Seville
2004 Escalade
1997 GMC Suburban 4X4, 454 engine, 3/4 ton
custom built by Santa Fe in Evansville, IN
2011 Buick Lucerne CX
-------------------------------------
CLCMRC Museum Benefactor #38
Past: VP International Affiliates, Museum Board Director, President / Director Pittsburgh Region

R Schroeder

Thanks Mike.
Come to think of it, it didnt happen the first year I stored it. The second year I stored it , was when I started using the leather product.
Could be the problem.
Roy

TJ Hopland

What ever the white stuff is it seems to wipe off easily and only seems to be on the seats so the leather product is a good theory otherwise you would think you would see it in other places.

I remember that pressure issue in my 78.  I did not have a problem when it was just me because I just learned the closing technique but if I had a passenger I would either crack the window open when they shut the door or wait to shut mine. 
StPaul/Mpls, MN USA

73 Eldo convert w/FiTech EFI
80 Eldo Diesel
90 CDV
And other assorted stuff I keep buying for some reason

"Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364

Roy,
Your car has a "flow through" (or what ever it was called) ventilation air path where air flows through the cabin and eventually finds its way to the outside through a path which leads through the door , rear fenders and then out.  Follow the path of relief to be sure someone has not plugged off the vents somewhere.
Greg
Cadillac Kid-Greg Surfas
Director Modified Chapter CLC
CLC #15364
66 Coupe deVille (now gone to the UK)
72 Eldo Cpe  (now cruising the sands in Quatar)
73 Coupe deVille
75 Coupe deElegance
76 Coupe deVille
79 Coupe de ville with "Paris" (pick up) option and 472 motor
514 inch motor now in '73-

Aaron Hudacky

Roy,

My 78 and even my 145000 mile 79 coupes do the same, although my 79 does it to a lesser extent because the wetherstripping on that car is rough. I think its normal when the body is tight. I think 2 doors with framed door glass tend to build pressure because the doors move a lot of air, and the upper doors cant flex as much as a frameless design, which allows less air to escape. Some new cars such as the 2011 Mustang actually lower the window slightly when closing the door to alleviate the pressureand allow better window sealing.

In high school I worked at a Ford dealer. One day a salesman and a customer shut the doors simultaneously on a brand new 1991 Escort 2 door hatchback that was parked in the service drive, and BAM! The rear hatch glass blew out because the air pressure was too great. That wasn't typical, but an interesting one time fluke illustrating how much potential air pressure can build when a  door is closed. Subsequent inspection of the car showed no defects. The timing and velocity of the doors closing was just right to create excessive pressure, but I doubt the same result could be achieved intentionally.

By the way, your car looks stunning. That color is beautiful.
1970 Eldorado
1978 Coupe deVille
1979 Coupe deVille
2008 Subaru STI

R Schroeder

#8
T.J. -the white powder was only where the seat touched each other in the crack of the seat and where the seat touched the side panel. That was the only two areas that there was any powder .

I know what you mean about letting someone close there door first. I get in and start the car and lower the window some before closing my door when I am alone.  Problem is trying to train the wife in doing that sequence. She will try to close hers 2 or 3 times before I can even get in. Talking to her about it, is like talking to a brick wall.....ha.  Just waiting for a few parts from her door to come flying across the cabin someday. She is one mean dude to that door.

GREG - I looked all over for a flow through on the body. There are vents mounted in the door opening on the rear fender, but they are outside of the rubber seal, so they don't help much. Nothing in the door itself. Rubber seal goes all the way around the door itself.  I have had the rear seat out in the past, and there is nothing there either.  Hole saw time ?..........ha

AARON - I guess I have many years to look forward to this problem until the rubber rots away.

Thanks, I love the color too. Thats why I bought it.

EAM 17806

ROY!  My 76 Coupe de Ville is stll air tight too, just as it was in 1976. This, in effect, is good as far as I'm concerned because it shows how tight the car still is and I presume that was the intent when it was built. All you have to do is when you get in the car and before you close your door just lower the passenger side window and inch or two and your door will close like it should; then put the other window up whenever. Just be glad your 78 is still tight. Good Luck.  EAM
Ev Marabian

1976 Cadillac Coupe DeVille, 1989 Chevrolet Caprice Classic, 1990 Pontiac Bonneville and 1996 Buick Skylark

joecaristo

Hi Roy,
I've owned many 78 and 79 coupe, sedan and fleetwoods. Every coupe I've owned had the same problem with closing the doors. Originally from the factory around the door catch pin they used a rubber or plastic grommet to help keep the door tight. On the 79 its the same type of material they used for the bumper fillers. After years the grommet falls apart and gets lost. I love these cars so I've just learned to slam the door when I get out or in.

Joe
Joe Caristo

R Schroeder

#11
Thanks Guys.
Thought maybe I had a weird one.
When I drive it , I get in and start it, then crack the drivers window a little ,and then close my door. I just hate slamming the doors on a car.
Roy

EAM 17806

ROY!  I suggest you drop the passenger side window down before you close your door because if you drop your window down and close the door that window would wobble and over time would begin loosening what's holding the glass; just a suggestion!  EAM
Ev Marabian

1976 Cadillac Coupe DeVille, 1989 Chevrolet Caprice Classic, 1990 Pontiac Bonneville and 1996 Buick Skylark

R Schroeder

Good tip. Never thought about that.
Roy

TJ Hopland

So are the vents just those in the door pillar?  They just did not put too much thought into the coupes? Bigger doors that displace more air and 2 less vents than the sedans?
StPaul/Mpls, MN USA

73 Eldo convert w/FiTech EFI
80 Eldo Diesel
90 CDV
And other assorted stuff I keep buying for some reason

R Schroeder

Thats all there is T.J.
I am finding that if I close the door almost all the way, then stop, then close it that it will close easier.
Sort of a pain though. The window trick is easier.

TJ Hopland

I was just wondering if the sedan had a different design as far as those vents.
StPaul/Mpls, MN USA

73 Eldo convert w/FiTech EFI
80 Eldo Diesel
90 CDV
And other assorted stuff I keep buying for some reason

R Schroeder

I think its just the smaller doors ,in a four door ,  don't create that problem.