In a message dated 1/27/07 9:00:42 AM Eastern Standard Time,
motoerik@GMAIL.COM writes:

> The top had some "work" done to it by a PO.  The seals look like they
> were put on by a blind man, who wiped the excess glue everywhere he
> could reach.  It doesn't leak visibly, but the pop-up canvas is
> mildewing, so I know that moisture is getting in.  The front luggage
> rack drain is messed up too.  There's a tube running right above the
> drivers door into the rain gutter (pic 021), but it's not hooked to
> the drain holes in the luggage rack.  pic 020 is the underside of the
> rack, is there supposed to be drain tubing in there?  All the water
> pools up, and drains out a hole in the dead center, above the rearview
> mirror.  Free windshield washer, all I have to do is hit the
> brakes....
>
>

congrats on the freebie..

firstoff, there is no "drain" for the luggage rack.   water simply  drains
thru the holes, and the rack is spaced off the roof metal and water drains out
wherever it can go.   sounds like there is alot of TREE SCHMUTZ (thats the
official term, by the way :<)  underneath the luggage rack.    remove the rack
(big flathead panhead bolts) and clean it out.

as far as poptop seals, this is a manditory replacement item for every
vanagon westy..and many list vendors carry replacement seals..
ps, dont trash the one between the rack and top.. if its still good, save
that one.   the aftermarket replacement for that seal isnt as good as the OEM
one.

chris