2011 FX35 sunroof leaking! NOT plugged drains.

[Brewcity1]

Good evening all,

I am hoping that someone can help, or point me in the right direction.
I just took my 2011 FX35 through the car wash, and I felt water coming through the sunroof.
It was fully closed, and water was definitely seeping in from the back side under the cover.

It wasn’t pouring water, but it is a definite concern!
This is NOT the issue with the drains being plugged, and water getting on the floor.

Can anyone please help as what to do?
Thank you so much!

[VStar650CL]

Exactly how do you know it isn't a drain problem? Even if you're certain none of them are plugged, you could have a hose that's detached from a nipple, or a broken nipple, or kinks in the hoses causing slow drainage.

[Brewcity1]

Exactly how do you know it isn't a drain problem? Even if you're certain none of them are plugged, you could have a hose that's detached from a nipple, or a broken nipple, or kinks in the hoses causing slow drainage.

I suppose I don’t…but I stuck my hand up to the moon roof, and during the car wash, water was coming through the back portion of the sun roof. It was not coming from the front portion of the sun roof towards the hood and windshield, where, from what I understand, are the drain tubes.
It seemed from what I was feeling, that the sun roof seal was worn out or not sealing well from where it opens in the back.

[VStar650CL]

I don't have direct experience with the FX (I'm a Nissan tech), but from the look of it the roof cants backward like an Altima coupe. When the sunroof assembly slants toward the rear then it's always the rear drains that stop up and not the fronts. I'd suggest opening up the roof and pouring some water down the side channels to see if anything comes out. Doing that in sequence on an uphill and a downhill should tell you exactly what's clogged up. The front drains should trickle out behind the front wheels, the rear drains behind the rear wheels.

[Brewcity1]

I don't have direct experience with the FX (I'm a Nissan tech), but from the look of it the roof cants backward like an Altima coupe. When the sunroof assembly slants toward the rear then it's always the rear drains that stop up and not the fronts. I'd suggest opening up the roof and pouring some water down the side channels to see if anything comes out. Doing that in sequence on an uphill and a downhill should tell you exactly what's clogged up. The front drains should trickle out behind the front wheels, the rear drains behind the rear wheels.

Thank you so very much for the help.
I will try my best to do this tomorrow and report back.
I may have some follow up questions.

Thanks again!

[Brewcity1]

UPDATE:

Hey all...thank you for the advice, and what to look for.
I opened the sunroof, and cleaned the rails of dirt and debris.

I could clearly see the drain holes, and realized what what going on.
There is a long piece of metal that diverts water from the moonroof, and it goes into the channels that runs to the drain plugs. Its like a catch can for the water that is directly above the shade slide.

There is no water anywhere in the cabin, nor is there any indication (water spots or mildew smell) of any water ever getting into the cabin or the floors.
I also poured some water into the channels by the drain holes, and saw that it did come out behind the front wheel on both sides.

So THANK YOU sooooo much for the help!! I now have peace of mind that the FX is not leaking at all.
I appreciate you all!!

Take care!

[VStar650CL]