Roof Leaking Bad
Its been raining over a day now and when I drove this morning, the front dome light has some drip going and when I turned, a gallon probably went out from the drivers seatbelt. Got soaking wet and also my seat.
Any ideas where to look first. Also, any proven fix around? Thanks
Any ideas where to look first. Also, any proven fix around? Thanks
Same here, same places. The drain pipes do not come all the way out the bottom of the pillars as I understand. So, I got an air compressor and blew out the edges with the roofs open. This rain storm I did not get water inside. I've yet to determine if I have clogs or broken drain tubes at the roof itself. i need to test it with a hose or bucket of water but never think about it when the sun is shining. My plan is to pour a small amount of water over the closed roofs and see if I get drainage underneath at the pillars. Wish I could blow air from the bottom up but hear that's not possible on these trucks because the drain tubes only go halfway down the chassis and just hang inside up beyond reach.
Last edited by jamieb; Feb 24, 2016 at 10:46 AM.
Drain tubes are only there to deal with the symptoms of a problem. Fixing the seals should be your ultimate goal. The drain tubes will also only work if the vehicle is inclined forwards, since the drains are at the fronts of the trays.
There are three possibilities for leaks: firstly, the entire frame of the sunroof needs to seal to the roof of the vehicle. On both of my rooves that sealant was completely dried up and the whole units just lifted out. If that's the case with you, it's possible to pry up the frame from outside the vehicle and pipe sealant into the gap, without having to remove the headliner.
Second possibility is a rubber loop that fits around the inside of the sunroof frame, sealing between the glass and the frame. That should be replaceable without having to remove the frame or the headliner.
Finally, it's possible to have small leaks around the screws that mount the glass. You're unlikely to get too much coming through there though.
There are three possibilities for leaks: firstly, the entire frame of the sunroof needs to seal to the roof of the vehicle. On both of my rooves that sealant was completely dried up and the whole units just lifted out. If that's the case with you, it's possible to pry up the frame from outside the vehicle and pipe sealant into the gap, without having to remove the headliner.
Second possibility is a rubber loop that fits around the inside of the sunroof frame, sealing between the glass and the frame. That should be replaceable without having to remove the frame or the headliner.
Finally, it's possible to have small leaks around the screws that mount the glass. You're unlikely to get too much coming through there though.
My experience on this so far..
When I purchased it, it had a leak. Front passenger side drain tube was broke off. Fixed. Happy...for a short time. Then another leak. I figured it was the rear sunroof drains, so I pulled the rear headliner loose, drain tubes were intact and great. Only thing I found out of place, was the passenger side drain tube was clogged. I blew it out with my mouth, and it hasn't leaked since. My buddy even stood on a ladder and sprayed the garden hose on the roof for a few minutes while I investigated inside. If you pull your rear tail lights loose on a rainy day, and the area near the drain tube is dry, you might have an issue. Also, every once and a awhile, look above the transmission and find your front sun roof drain tubes, and make sure the ends aren't clogged with crap. They can be a bear to find the first time, use a flashlight, you will find them.
When I purchased it, it had a leak. Front passenger side drain tube was broke off. Fixed. Happy...for a short time. Then another leak. I figured it was the rear sunroof drains, so I pulled the rear headliner loose, drain tubes were intact and great. Only thing I found out of place, was the passenger side drain tube was clogged. I blew it out with my mouth, and it hasn't leaked since. My buddy even stood on a ladder and sprayed the garden hose on the roof for a few minutes while I investigated inside. If you pull your rear tail lights loose on a rainy day, and the area near the drain tube is dry, you might have an issue. Also, every once and a awhile, look above the transmission and find your front sun roof drain tubes, and make sure the ends aren't clogged with crap. They can be a bear to find the first time, use a flashlight, you will find them.
My experience on this so far..
When I purchased it, it had a leak. Front passenger side drain tube was broke off. Fixed. Happy...for a short time. Then another leak. I figured it was the rear sunroof drains, so I pulled the rear headliner loose, drain tubes were intact and great. Only thing I found out of place, was the passenger side drain tube was clogged. I blew it out with my mouth, and it hasn't leaked since. My buddy even stood on a ladder and sprayed the garden hose on the roof for a few minutes while I investigated inside. If you pull your rear tail lights loose on a rainy day, and the area near the drain tube is dry, you might have an issue. Also, every once and a awhile, look above the transmission and find your front sun roof drain tubes, and make sure the ends aren't clogged with crap. They can be a bear to find the first time, use a flashlight, you will find them.
When I purchased it, it had a leak. Front passenger side drain tube was broke off. Fixed. Happy...for a short time. Then another leak. I figured it was the rear sunroof drains, so I pulled the rear headliner loose, drain tubes were intact and great. Only thing I found out of place, was the passenger side drain tube was clogged. I blew it out with my mouth, and it hasn't leaked since. My buddy even stood on a ladder and sprayed the garden hose on the roof for a few minutes while I investigated inside. If you pull your rear tail lights loose on a rainy day, and the area near the drain tube is dry, you might have an issue. Also, every once and a awhile, look above the transmission and find your front sun roof drain tubes, and make sure the ends aren't clogged with crap. They can be a bear to find the first time, use a flashlight, you will find them.
Insert something between the roof metal and the plastic bezel every ~4 inches to flex the plastic up about 1/8". I used nails.
Inject silicone sealer along where possible and smooth into the gap at every 'lifter' (nail) removal to form a complete sealant joint with no voids.
If that does not cure it, then you will have to inspect the drain pipes.
Parking nose sloping down helps too. Drain tubes are at the front corners and allow the tray to fill and overflow to the inside before draining.
Inject silicone sealer along where possible and smooth into the gap at every 'lifter' (nail) removal to form a complete sealant joint with no voids.
If that does not cure it, then you will have to inspect the drain pipes.
Parking nose sloping down helps too. Drain tubes are at the front corners and allow the tray to fill and overflow to the inside before draining.
Last edited by Externet; Feb 25, 2016 at 02:56 PM.
Funny, I have to do the exact opposite and part nose sloping up. My seals leak in the front drivers side. In fact, when its raining heavily water drips onto my head as i am driving.
I have since started to wear a sombrero so that I can catch all the water, like a moat. Then i empty the sombrero when I get out.
I have since started to wear a sombrero so that I can catch all the water, like a moat. Then i empty the sombrero when I get out.


