Water Leak Through Rear Air Vent in Mk 2 Ford Focus Estate

radderfire

radderfire

radderfire

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I have water leaking through the air vent in the rear pillar of my Mk 2 Ford Focus Estate. Has anyone else had to address this? I have done some Googling and I think it's under the roof rail that is leaking, but I am not sure how best to address this. Below are some pics.

I have had a quick try at prying off with a screwdriver the plastic cap at the end of the roof rail shown in the first pic, but it didn't want to come off easily. Does it just pry off or is there something else I need to be aware of?

Once I have got it off, what should I do? I think it is the weld seams that are leaking. Should I just buy some clear silicone sealant and cover them liberally?

Should I take the whole roof rail off? How does it come off? Is there something under the chrome stud shown in the picture? Does Ford sell replacements for the rubber strips that the roof rail sits on?

Any advice much appreciated. Thanks.

roof-rail-from-top-opt.jpg


roof-rail-from-rear-opt.jpg
 
Looks more like a rivet of some sort, imagine there are more running along the rail? Looks like you'll need to get to the rails from inside to detach. Will also need to think about a sensible way to re secure if you need to drill it out.

Going from thr inside is orobably the best way to start anyway to be certain where it's leaking from, take of the side trim and at least drop one side of the headliner then you can try to trace where it's coming from and apply new sealant if required. It probably is either a panel where the seam sealer has gone off a bit or a blocked channel somewhere
 
Does anyone know the technique to get the black plastic end cap off? I have tried prying it off with a screwdriver, but it doesn't come off easily, and I would prefer not to break it. Thanks.
 
Thanks for the links. The links do give some advice, but the info is incomplete. Has anyone here ever tried taking the T-section roof rails off a 2005 Ford Focus Mk 2 estate as shown in the first pic? I am just wondering how exactly they are fastened to the roof. I think the stud shown is a bolt, accessible once you take the interior headliner off. Are the rails themselves also stuck down to the roof?

So far, what I think I need to do is take down the headliner in the boot, unbolt the roof rail, then lift the roof rail off the roof (if it's not stuck down that is). If anyone can tell me how easily the T-section roof rail comes off, that would be useful. I would then need to clean the gulley left and perhaps use wire wool if there is any rust, then perhaps apply a seam sealer? Then reattach the roof rail.

The car is only leaking from the rear, but do you think it's worth taking the whole roof rail off and treating the whole gulley?

Thanks for any advice.
 
Hi Radderfire, I have just discovered the same issue with my 2005 MK2 focus estate, just wondered if you solved the problem and how you went about it?
My initial thought was to remove the t track but came up against the same issues as yourself, then I found your tread, any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance (Radrod)
 
Mine was leaking through the hole for the bolt that bolts down the roof rail, as the rubber seal had perished. So, I loosed the bolt, and applied a liberal amount of silicone sealant around the bolt hole, then tightened the bolt again (without overtightening as that could affect the seal). This did stop the leak. The hard part is getting to the bolt. You have to get the headliner out of the way, so that means taking off the rear trims in the boot. I think there are three pieces in all, including the one on the rear pillar. Hope that helps.
 
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