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my car is drafty!

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:55 am
by bonnevillain
i just noticed there is huge amounts of cold air pouring in around my drivers door handle.. has anyone else experienced this? i have had the door apart, but i dont remember exactly what the backside looks like. maybe i can just shove some type of insulation or something back there to block the air?

Re: my car is drafty!

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:01 am
by wake
this is only when the window is up right ?

Re: my car is drafty!

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:04 am
by bonnevillain
well if i rolled down the window i doubt i would be able to feel the little draft from the handle becuase 7* air would be pouring in through the window! :bsnicker:

Re: my car is drafty!

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:10 am
by wake
whats im saying ryan is ive noticed on alot of my gm cars is that if you put your hand were the door handle is when the windows down you wont feel much draft but when the windows up it generally will have a good draft pouring through there

i generally dont worry about it to much cause its not that big of deal IMO...

Re: my car is drafty!

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:11 am
by bonnevillain
well that makes sense, the window would be in ther blocking it. its not a huge deal but it was definitely a little annoying as that's right where i rest my hand, it was getting cold! haha

Re: my car is drafty!

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:12 am
by Ragsdale
All GM vehicles I've been in except for the 09 Malibu have this draft near the door handle, it's not a big deal and I've never thought to investigate.

Re: my car is drafty!

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:17 am
by bonnevillain
hm pretty sure my 95 didnt. i will have to pay attention in my dads impala. it just seemed like a TON of air. oh well. i will deal with it i guess

Re: my car is drafty!

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:45 am
by tan96ssei
a thought in how to fix this remove the two nuts that hold the handle on the door and seal it with silicone sealant then as for the seals around the window heat gun and "massage" should bend them where ever you want. and the 00+ was suppose to have less problems with the seals around the body (the long rope like seal around the door sill) but those can be cleaned and also bendable by taking them off putting them in the tub submerged in hot water. plus on the bottom of the doors there are usually slits or cuts of some sort that allow water to drain. cork those and with all of that done you should effectively seal your door and heat you and leave that cold northern air out.

long story short seal exterior handle, screw holes where plastic cladding mounts, water release cuts on bottom of door, clean and bend all seals to further increase your seal do these and you should be good

Re: my car is drafty!

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:15 pm
by Archon
Most of the door will be sealed by the water deflector. This is a picture of one for the rear door, but the front is similar.

[The extension jpg has been deactivated and can no longer be displayed.]

There has to be some openings in it for the door handle, and wiring, so any air will find its way through those. You could try some insulation to see if it lessens the intrusion. I would not suggest that you block any drain holes, or you'll end up with water problems in the door.

Re: my car is drafty!

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:36 pm
by WhiteArrow3800
I have noticed the same thing in the '01. I never felt anything in the '93.

It is rather annoying. Feels like I have the AC going sometimes. :???:

Re: my car is drafty!

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:47 pm
by Phyrestorm
I also have this on my car, it's on both the passenger and driver door handles i can feel a very small draft of air when driving, friend of mine pointed this out to me when he was driving with me, doesn't bug me though so i don't care really, it is peculiar though.

Re: my car is drafty!

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 6:18 pm
by bonne03ssei
I notice the same thing and it IS a decent amount of air...but I really only noticed after I had my driver's door replaced/fixed. So I'm thinking something someone did at the shop made it this way. Maybe there was a small draft before I just never really noticed it until afterwards.

My 94 had a similar draft too.

Re: my car is drafty!

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 6:30 pm
by haro1225
I noticed that mine does that too, but only if the sunroof is in the vent position.

Re: my car is drafty!

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 6:39 pm
by 00Beast
I've never noticed it if there is one.