Water drippin on my lap
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Sackville, Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,362
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I've had a water leak from the front headliner of the car for the past year. Only leaks during REALLY heavy rain or when driving in heavy/moderate rain on the highway. It will pool in the headliner and when I turn a corner/hard stop, it runs out onto either my lap or the passenger seat.
Did plenty of searching and most results said it was a plugged sunroof drain. My drains are completely clear.
One search said I would have to pull the headliner down and get someone with a garden hose to spray the top of the car and to look for leaks. Being lazy and afraid of hurting the liner, I decided to attack the diagnosis from the outside in.
Here in Nova Scotia, we have had some BAD rain the past 3-4 days (and it leaked like always after day one). It cleared up for a brief moment yesterday, so I decided to apply clear/x-mas tape across the trim on the windshield....
![](http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/6865/dscf9001v.jpg)
![](http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/3051/dscf9002.jpg)
![](http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/5897/dscf9003d.jpg)
(ya ya, I know - it ain't pretty and I will have to run the rotary buffer over it to get the glue off when I remove it - but I was in a rush because it had to be applied in the small window of dry time I had)
No leak!! Dry as a bone inside the car after two more days of torrential rain.
So, how do I attack this? Remove the trim piece and apply some sealant; OR....is it possible to squirt something in the gap between the trim and roof that will keep the rainwater from seeping in? I know taking that trim off usually results in problems getting it back on, so I am looking for solution that doesn't involve removing the trim.
Did plenty of searching and most results said it was a plugged sunroof drain. My drains are completely clear.
One search said I would have to pull the headliner down and get someone with a garden hose to spray the top of the car and to look for leaks. Being lazy and afraid of hurting the liner, I decided to attack the diagnosis from the outside in.
Here in Nova Scotia, we have had some BAD rain the past 3-4 days (and it leaked like always after day one). It cleared up for a brief moment yesterday, so I decided to apply clear/x-mas tape across the trim on the windshield....
![](http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/6865/dscf9001v.jpg)
![](http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/3051/dscf9002.jpg)
![](http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/5897/dscf9003d.jpg)
(ya ya, I know - it ain't pretty and I will have to run the rotary buffer over it to get the glue off when I remove it - but I was in a rush because it had to be applied in the small window of dry time I had)
No leak!! Dry as a bone inside the car after two more days of torrential rain.
So, how do I attack this? Remove the trim piece and apply some sealant; OR....is it possible to squirt something in the gap between the trim and roof that will keep the rainwater from seeping in? I know taking that trim off usually results in problems getting it back on, so I am looking for solution that doesn't involve removing the trim.
#2
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Washington "Dc"
Posts: 1,810
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
When my windshield was replaced there was a bead of black windshield installer 'sealant' followed by some 'adhesive' (3m I think) to hold the trim in place.
The factory windshields are 'epoxied' (I was told) and the replacement sealant if not installed correctly can lead to leaks. Or if the windshield was installed and then the car was driven over bumpy roadways or in the rain before the sealant was 'cured'.
If fit was me, I would gently remove the trim, and put a bead of RTV (black) in there and reinstall the trim. Let it cure for a few hours before taking it out on the road.
The factory windshields are 'epoxied' (I was told) and the replacement sealant if not installed correctly can lead to leaks. Or if the windshield was installed and then the car was driven over bumpy roadways or in the rain before the sealant was 'cured'.
If fit was me, I would gently remove the trim, and put a bead of RTV (black) in there and reinstall the trim. Let it cure for a few hours before taking it out on the road.
Last edited by dcrasta; 10-06-2011 at 05:17 PM.
#3
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
i just fixed this. old windshield seal popped a few holes in it. so the water would run down under the trim and POUR on the pass seat. crammed some sealant in it... fixed
Trending Topics
#10
928 Collector
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
You should avoid silicone, it is not compatible with actual Windshield Installer stuff which I believe is polyurethane. Very difficult to remove completely.
As for the leak, yes the windshield is often the leak that is blamed on the sunroof seal. BAD place for a leak because it runs down the a-pillar covers and behind the dash to the fuse panel.
As for the leak, yes the windshield is often the leak that is blamed on the sunroof seal. BAD place for a leak because it runs down the a-pillar covers and behind the dash to the fuse panel.
#12
Drifting
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Sackville, Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,362
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
![thumbup](https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/thumbup.gif)
Ekkkkks!!! Not good. When I pulled the fuse panel for the re-fresh, I didn't notice any signs of water - but recently (after lots of rain), I had my wipers get stuck in the "ON" position (has since fixed itself), the rear drivers side marker light went out......but is now back on and the climate control light is out (has yet to come back on - hopefully it is a bulb).
#13
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Washington "Dc"
Posts: 1,810
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
You should avoid silicone, it is not compatible with actual Windshield Installer stuff which I believe is polyurethane. Very difficult to remove completely.
As for the leak, yes the windshield is often the leak that is blamed on the sunroof seal. BAD place for a leak because it runs down the a-pillar covers and behind the dash to the fuse panel.
As for the leak, yes the windshield is often the leak that is blamed on the sunroof seal. BAD place for a leak because it runs down the a-pillar covers and behind the dash to the fuse panel.
That windshield adhesive is some good stuff.
#14
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I would use some blue painters masking tape to protect the paint. Apply it along the edge right next to the trim piece, apply sealant with a Popsicle stick, soak the stick in water before hand and the sealant won't stick to it so much, makes a nice smooth and even bead. You can also re wet the stick several times to keep working the sealant smooth. Let it cure, then remove the tape. You will have a nice trim lone and no leaks. Have to do his myself shortly.