PROBLEM: I understand there are many threads on the common sunroof leak, where the drain is clogged or water is on the floorboard. However, the leak my LR3 has appears to happen ONLY when I'm at the automatic carwash during the super intense rinse portion of the cycle. It is a torrential downpour. The leak comes in over the console and front seats, where the sunscreen/rolling blind recesses. I also get some water near the rearview mirror.

My theory is the leak is an overflow, and the sunroof drain is not extracting the water quickly enough to keep up with the amount that is coming in. Eventually, it overflows.

THOUGHTS: I'm not sure if this is because the drain has its limitations and can only drain so fast by design, or if the drain is clogged, or if the drain is leaking.

QUESTION: Has anyone else experienced this? It has occurred to me to find a new carwash and to take down the headliner and explore, but I would rather consult you all first. Thanks.

 

clogged/leaking for sure.

I've taken mine through countless automatic car washes without that happening.

Only other thing I can think of is the seal around the sunroof itself failed on you

 

Is the sunroof aligned or does it look off a bit? You can try to recalibrate it. Otherwise I agree, you likely have clogged drains. Worst case scenario wold be that the issue has been ignored so long that the metal tubes have rusted at top and water is leaking through there. Keep in mind that water on the floor boards only happens when the drain ends have finally failed, being clogged and rotting from water/dirt sitting at the ends is the eventual cause of the rot.

 

Has the windshield ever been changed? Check that it has a Land Rover Logo in the corner(still could have been replaced by the dealer, but no logo is a for sure give away). I fought a leak for a month, only to find out the windshield installer screwed up. Had my Guy come out, remove and reseat the windshield.

 

Yes, the windshield has been changed. (Done by a third party but used OEM parts.) How did you determine this was the root cause in your case? Would a windshield leak bring in water that far back?

 

the interesting thing is not a drop leaks in (that I am aware of) to neither the cabin nor headliner while it is raining

 

The sunroof looks properly aligned. I may have to take the headliner down to look further then

 

the headliner board will allow water to travel. On later full size vehicles due to roof slope water can come in through the front sunroof and travel back to the rear D pillar.

remove front upper grab handles, sun visors, and center console.

have someone inside the vehicle pull the headliner down slightly while the other person uses a hose outside to drench the suspected area.

a leaking windshield is not a question of OEM parts, it’s the skill of the installer.

either way you will find the source of your leak.

Also, check this out:

https://landroverforums.com/forum/lr...-drains-70793/