Christopher Zach

In the continuing saga of fixing all the weird things on this 928S I've run into another one:

The sunroof closes and opens (slowly without lube, better with) but water still leaks in. I've cleaned the gutters and drains, and in looking at it I noticed that the rear of the sunroof is not flush with the car. Thus gap which means rain.

Today I took everything apart to see what was up. It looks like all the bolts are loose (the 4 bolts on the cable carrier/blocks in the back as well as the two screws on it), I didn't see the guide shoes on the blocks, and when you snug down the four bolts in any orientation the roof barely moves. Doesn't help that it's swinging from 70's (where things work ok) to 30's (where things don't work) in a few hours....

Still, what is really curious is that the sunroof doesn't fit in the hole. By this I mean the seal appears to be "too big" and doesn't flex to allow the roof to go flush. Even putting pressure from the inside with my hands is not enough, so is the seal too big? Bad? Something else?

A few pictures attached. I guess the questions are:
1) Can one get the plastic shoes for the blocks?
2) Should I install a new seal so it will close
3) Any other thoughts?

Hard as a rock

Rubbing somewhere? But how?

I've downloaded and memorized the PDF Dan_Podguy_Sunroof. It's helpful but doesn't include things like how to adjust the two screws on the blocks or why they adjust anyway...

Thanks!
C

NoVector

I used Keith Widom's instructions when I did the PMI on my hatch. Not sure how well it jibes with Dan the pod guy's, but I know Keith's worked. http://www.nichols.nu/tip805.htm

I don't know if it's your seal's condition that's preventing it from closing or a botched adjustment, but based on your pictures, it needs to be replaced anyway. It should have a felt-like texture. Keith's writeup also addresses installing a new seal and adjusting it for width. Good luck

Christopher Zach

Thank you I appreciate the comment. Ordered a new pair of seals and a set of the blocks with the plastic glides on them, that might have been the source of the original problem. Should be in within a week or so.

Speedtoys

The seal..isnt a seal.

What is the condition of the plastic drip tray that bolts to the panel?

Those crack, THATS a leak.

Have you had the rails out? A lack of enough rubber caulk unddr them lets water wick in..and then drip too.

Christopher Zach

I think it's been painted and is now hard and junky. I didn't see any cracks in the tray behind the rear seal, but I'll take another look. When I park it head down (my driveway slopes) there was a small amount of water on/in the sun visors. When I parked it tail down there was a *LOT* of water in the back seat. Oi.

I'll remove the rails when I get the sunroof parts and clean everything. Never dull.

Speedtoys

Back seat may be time to inspect how the hatch seal is sitting, look way up there. Is it rolled over? Any tree trash up there?

But to reiterate, that "seal" is simply cosmetic. It does NOT seal...but it would be worse without it.

Next time you have the panel out..get some bottled water, glasses, etc...and pour water slowly up there and...watch it with a flashlight.

Christopher Zach

Not sure what a "normal" rear seal looks like, the one in the car is not cracked at the top and seems to have a lip across the top of the car. I'll try dumping water in it and see if it leaks in. But if it was the rear seal I would expect more water to come in nose down. Maybe. Hm.

Speedtoys

They are NOT seals. Be clear...the trim is not a seal. Water will go past them, that is normal.

Christopher Zach

Ok, they're not seals. They are however keeping my sunroof from closing all the way up because they are too big for the hole and are sticking.

Meantime I took a hose to the U boat and checked for leaks. Rear trunk seal is leaking. Passenger's side door seal is leaking at the corner, allowing water into the passenger rear well. Haven't even tried the sunroof.

Is it worth the extra $100 or so for a genuine Porsche rear seal, or are the $80 buck ones good enough?

C

Speedtoys

I wasnt aware there was a non Porsche trim/seal anywhere for the hatch/sunroof.

For $20 Id go OEM...

The sunroof leak test will require you to remove the panel, then with a cup pour water and find where it leaks into the cabin up front...or if a drain isnt...draining.

I saw a n 85 with the drain tube pinched behind the cruise control vacuum pods from the factory even.

Christopher Zach

Sorry, I meant rear hatch seal. It's folded over and shredded on the bottom so it needs a replacement. Another project, eventually it will warm up around here.

Christopher Zach

Hatch seal replaced.It was folded, shredded, and fell apart as it came off. Oddly enough the new seal took a hit from the hatch latch, I wonder if the hatch is slightly too far back. Another project for another day.

Meantime I have the roof cleaned and it works well. Seal should be coming later this week along with a door seal (it will never end). Then more panel clips to replace and.....

C