Need help, sunroof is leaking!

saitrix

saitrix

saitrix

Soldato
Joined
2 Jun 2003
Posts
8,950
Location
Nottingham
Hi,

I have a sunroof on the Dolomite, which I have found it is leaking onto the drivers seat making it soaked. :(

The sunroof glass is frameless, then on the roof there is a frame with a rubber seal on the inside that presses against the glass. It is leaking somewhere around the rubber, people got any ideas?
 
Is it a standard fitted sunroof or aftermarket? if standard you may have blocked up drain holes, if not how does the rubber seal feel? If its old and dry you might need a new one.
 
First check the drain holes (if it has them) and second would be to try some silicone spray on the rubber, this should revitalise the rubber a bit as its probably dried out and cracked from age by now.

NS
 
It has been fitted after it has been made according to its heritidge certificate. I'll try those ideas and see what happens.

Funny you say that as my brothers 2002 Seat Toledo is leaking. ;)

L0rdMike, I didn't know your MR2 was in that bad a condition that it will be falling apart next week.
 
Aftermarket sunroofs are a pain in the arse. Normally the only real option is to replace it or seal it shut with silicone sealant around the inside of the seal. Obviously new seals are an option if you can get hold of them, but normally you can't.

If you don't mind the expense get a new Websasto one put in.
 
Stating the obvious here but can't you replace the rubber seal? Seeing as it's leaking I would say that the seal isn't working. :p

My first 205's sunroof leaked when it rained hard...currently have another 205 which has never had it's sunroof open. I don't want to open it just in case the seal breaks.

One of my colleages was about to open it the other day so I quickly told him off. :o
 
Enfield said:
Stating the obvious here but can't you replace the rubber seal? Seeing as it's leaking I would say that the seal isn't working. :p

My first 205's sunroof leaked when it rained hard...currently have another 205 which has never had it's sunroof open. I don't want to open it just in case the seal breaks.

One of my colleages was about to open it the other day so I quickly told him off. :o
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Yeah I am looking about for possible places to get seals but if I can fix it without a new seal that will be the best.
 
I had the same problem when i had the saxo, poor sunroof, the glass was flush with the roofline but the whole thing would sit in a dip that would collect water.

I found the seal on the front edges would pop out and leak water inbetween the seal and the plastic base.

I sealed it up with some glue, worked like a treat.
 
Firestar_3x said:
I had the same problem when i had the saxo, poor sunroof, the glass was flush with the roofline but the whole thing would sit in a dip that would collect water.

I found the seal on the front edges would pop out and leak water inbetween the seal and the plastic base.

I sealed it up with some glue, worked like a treat.
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The frame is slightly raised over the roofline with the glass but the rubber is open and below. Could be that then! Will have a good look round it the next time I'm in Loughborough.
 
ok hope this helps, back in my younger days i used to fit glass (popup) sunroofs. and a little trick britax and tudor taught us was.
1/ remove panel from car
2/ on the front of the panel, you will notice the 2 cranked hinges, that insert into the frame and allow the glass to pivot.
3/ remove one at a time (from the glass) you will notice the crank.place it in the vice and crank it a little more. this will mean when both are done that the panel is tighter in the frame and will pull down on the seal more.

the other tip. if the water is leaking in around the handle or at the rear, was to cut a lenght of single core eletrical cable and insert it around the inside of the roof under the rubber. thus pushing the rubber to the glass.

the obvious answer would be fit a new rubber but they are not always available, and sometimes due to various cam rails its not advisable to fit larger roofs. :)
 
Check the drainage pipes are not blocked. Find out where they come out, and blow up them. Or if you have an airline, blow down them with it :)
 
L0rdMike said:
Next week problem #246 My car has fallen apart and is just a massive heap of metal.
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LOL I was thinking the same

Hope you fix it dude but the post did make me laugh. This is why I queried the attraction of such cars earlier :)

Oh and I'd recommend the advice above. Only time I ever had a problem with a sunroof was when the line had fallen off!
 
On the old Micra I used to drive the rubber seals had shrunk around the rear passenger flappy windows.

I took the seals off of the car and submerged them in boiling water.

This restored them to almost original size and they fitted perfectly.
 
Tesla said:
On the old Micra I used to drive the rubber seals had shrunk around the rear passenger flappy windows.

I took the seals off of the car and submerged them in boiling water.

This restored them to almost original size and they fitted perfectly.
Click to expand...

Interesting you say that, I think the seal has become smaller, it is about 6-7mm too short now, that is one of the places it is leaking, then the other is at a corner just down from there.

I will try and take off the seal and put it in boiling water (how long for?). I will also get a silicone spray to get it fully rubbered. Then look into getting the glass lower.

Stonedofmoo, To be fair this and the last problem can happen easily enough with newer cars. The problem has been that the car hasn't been in the rain for at least a year so some of the seals have gone. Also it isn't like it is costing me much for the repairs.

New choke cable = £10
Slave clutch cylinder = £23
1L DOT4 = £7.50
Windowscreen seal = £35

Then the carbs will be tuned for ~£20.

So overall cost of ~£100 and is totally worth it for the car. :) Plus where as you would normally have depreciation of the car, I don't, they are holding level or even increasing in value. I realise some people will always think I am mad, its only like me thinking people are mad for buying a new car.
 
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