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Help! sunroof leaking

Eliv

By Eliv,
in Maintenance & Repairs

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Eliv

Eliv

Neutral Newbie

Hi, my mondeo ghia sunroof has a slight leak which i suspect is due to the wear of the rubber seal around the sunroof.

Called regent motors and was told a new one cost above 1K [shakehead] because have to replace the whole sunroof as the rubber seal is fixed to it.

Anyone has the same problem or has any ideas on how to fix this problem? DIY?

Need HELP as it has been raining almost everyday. [:(]

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Pathfinders

Pathfinders

Neutral Newbie
(edited)

Hi Eliv,

 

Welcome to MCF!!!thumbsup.gif

 

The other day @ MCF, we are posting some thoughts about having sunroofs (Original & Aftermarket). Its so unfortunate that you are one of the sunroofers that's facing the Leak Problem. 99% of the leakage problem is due to the rubber seal. If you think 1k to solve the problem is too much to pay, then i suggest you can try to get silicon from those DIY shops and try to seal up!! There are many brands available. Just last weekend, i was strolling down Orchard with my wife when a girl just shoved me a brochure from General Electric. I was surprised that they produce silicon as well. Do check them out. If i'm you, i'll pay a bit more and get one of the reliable brands.

 

Alternative way is too send your car to those aftermarket sunroof installers and see if they can rectify your problem.

 

Just my 2 cents....

 

Enjoy your stay here....cheers...

Edited by Heueriq
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Eliv

Eliv

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Hi Heueriq!

 

Thanks for your fast response!

Will try to apply silicon to a small area on the rubber seal that i have identified as causing the leakage. Hope i don't make mess of it [:p] .

 

Feel welcome already. Cheers!

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Offroader

Offroader

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U have to make sure the silicon can withstand the constant heat of the sunlight!.....However, did u make sure that it was the seal and not rust of the frame around the glass. Cause if it is rusty and then the leak started, then get the agent to change the whole roof and as it is rust, u should not have to pay as there should be a rust warrant on the car.

 

Happened to my Rover, found that the corner of the roof under the rubber seal had rusted. They had to replace my whole roof as the car came with a 6yr rust proof warranty.

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Eliv

Eliv

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Thanks for pointing that out Offroader!

Pretty sure the leakage is coming from the rubber seal but will check again for rust.

Then hopefully can get new sunroof! [laugh]

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Gadgeter

Gadgeter

2nd Gear

Eliv,

 

I had problem with the rubber seal in the boot.... When it rains heavily, water enters my sparetyre area, and boy, I can keep 5-6 laohan in the boot... [shakehead]

 

What I did to rectify the problem... [thumbsup]

 

Remove the seal... Check for visible rusty parts... wash away the soil/dirt which was build up over the years...

 

Used those clear type silicon, apply on the corners and put back the rubber seal... Then apply another layer of silicon to secure the rubber seal to the boot body...

 

Till date, no more water entering the boot..

 

Note: Before I D.I.Y, I ever approach some mechanic for help.... They either recommend me to change a new rubber or did a lousy job and applying the silicon....

 

All in all, spend less than $10 to fix my problem.

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Blue

Blue

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Just ensure the surface preparation is done right as well as the curing period, or not you'll be looking at a repeat job.

Good luck

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Eliv

Eliv

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(edited)

Gadgeter,

 

I think removing the seal would be difficult as it's well bonded to the sunroof edge.

As the leakage, as of now is only 1 area of the rubber seal (fingers cross), would risk applying silicon first before resorting to removing the seal.

Thanks for your feedback! Luohan in boot....hmm....

 

Blue, will keep your pointers in mind when i perform the silicon implant. [thumbsup]

Edited by Eliv
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Super7

Super7

Turbocharged
(edited)

hi Buddy,

 

Year ago my Honda's original sunroof also leaked...... after trying to seal the thing from outside and failed.......... i discovered that the outlet of the drainage system for the sunroof was choked with mud sprayed into it over the years (you get this whenever to car goes over muddy surfaces).......... the outlet hole is usually the tail end of the rubber hose (small diameter, about 5-7mm) and you can find it either at the bottom of the car or within the inner part of the wheel arch.... usually there's a pair fo such rainwater discharge outlet points..........

 

....... i then used a pencil to poke poke here n there to dislodge the mud collection and lots of collected water spill out immediately and thereafter no more leaks till the day i sold the car 4 years later..... it's a 5 seconds job and cost me nothing (excluding the 6 minutes or so spent searching for the outlet hole)....... [thumbsup]

 

i figure most original sunroofs come with a well designed built-in drainage system to discharge any rain water which manages to sip thru the seals........

 

juz my 2 cents.......... hope it helps....

 

cheers [thumbsup]

Edited by Super7
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Yttrium

Yttrium

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(edited)

Hi Heueriq,

 

Oh yes GE does produce silicone products alright. Their RTV products are widely used in the semiconductor packaging industry among others.

 

Btw the adhesive/sealants we're talking about is actually silicone. Silicon is the element. Difference in spelling is just an "e" but having worked with both silicone and silicon wafers they are very different things to me. So forgive me for being anal about the spelling, couldn't help it! [:p]

 

I sure hope my sunroof doesn't leak too! Recently discovered a spot of rust on the underside of the sunroof, I think I better get that rectified seeing that it could lead to leaks.

Edited by Yttrium
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Eliv

Eliv

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Hi Super7,

 

Will try to find the outlet hose, though looking for a 5-7mm hole in a car seems a daunting task.

Hope i poke the right hole. [laugh]

 

Cheers!

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Super7

Super7

Turbocharged
(edited)

hope this helps:

 

my honda's drain holes were located juz below the rear door, somewhere near the rear wheel arch........... i figure the drain pipes go from the sunroof, along the roof near the top edge of the door openings, down the c-pillar and vertically down to the bottom of the car near where i juz described................ start your search somewhere there......... it's unlikely to be in front of the A-pillar............... but i could be wrong..

 

cheers

Edited by Super7
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Super7

Super7

Turbocharged

wah lau!......... what's up today? .......... every where also kenna road block!!!........ think muz drive thru back lanes:- it's safer.....

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