Sun Roof Leak

[Bayarea Q]

OK, this huge (El nino) storm hit this weekend, and did not agree with my Q. I am getting a tiny drip of water out of the left front reading light. Only when driving. When parked out in the rain there is no leak. So I'm guessing the little black rubber around the sunroof has worn out? Had this happened to anyone else? Please tell me it was a cheap fix? Is it possilbe to change out yourself? I'm concerned of getting cleaned out at the dealer ship.Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,Robert

95 Q45 85K

[Jberger]

Sounds like the drain lines are plugged. There are 2 lines (I think, can't remember off hand) which carry water from the the tray below the sunroof down the a pillar and out below the car. Try some compressed air to blow the lines clean and that should do it.

If my sunroof would open (self inflicted injury) I'd check mine and give you better info.

[Bayarea Q]

J,

Thanks, I'll go give that a try during lunch. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

[mccluredude]

Bayarea Q,I weathered the same storm out here in Northern CA and am having similar problems. I noticed damp carpet in the right rear passenger area and forward right trunk area. Wondering if I should be suspecting the same Sunroof Drain. From the shop manual it looks like there is one main drain in the front right corner.

Would water end up in the rear passenger floor area and trunk if the drain was not functioning, or should I be looking somewhere else?

Thanks Again!

[Bayarea Q]

I looked at my drain wholes and they seem fine. I now noticed a little dimple in the front of my sunroof right on the rubber bead. It seemes to pass through under the sunroof into the front of the roof. Hard to explain but the lip that is exposed when the sunroof is open got pused down a few milimeters. (Somehow) I'm guessing car wash blower...? I'm thinking of just putting some duck tape over it, to keep the water out. Kind of a ghetto fix, but I think the alternative would be very expensive? Has anyone ever had to replace this piece?

I doubt your leak is from the sunroof. I would open the trunk and look for simular drain holes. I don't know about the back seat, I do know my brothers 94 caddy seville did the same thing. I concluded it was due to an accident.....

[Aus94Q45]

The rubber seal around the sun roof is not designed to keep all water out of the sun roof tray. It deters water, but the design assumes that water will leak in. The sun roof sits in a tray mounted under the roof. There are plastic tubes that attach to it and are routed to let the water in the tray drain out of the bottom of the car. I noticed a clear plastic tube when I was removing my jack -- this may be one of them. Either the tube(s) is/are clogged in-line, or the rubber seal/silicone that seals the tray to the roof is leaking. I would blow compressed air through the tubes. Your clog may not be at the roof, but down-line or at the exit. If the leak is from the tray seal, then you must remove the headliner and sun roof to reseal. Alternatively, you may choose to seal the outer roof panel opening with silicone and disable the roof motor.

[Bayarea Q]

Aus,

I didn't notice any clear plastic tubes....I just have two drain holes one at each front corner. Do your plastic tubes run in that direction?

I think I have found my problem....If I'm sitting in my car with the roof open and grab the front lip with my thumb and fore finger that top piece of plastic seems to be bent down a tiny bit, allowing water to seep in....not into the headliner but into the left readinglight and between the assembley and the roof. Do you think I could use silicone to re-seal that area?

Thanks again,Robert