sunroof leak

[cryoung]

anyone have a fix for a electric sunroof leaking.have checked all 4 drain tubes they are not blocked, so it looks like the water is seeping under the rails the sunroof slides on. anyone no of a fix without taking sunroof apart.
tia.. col

cmon aussubaru members some body must have a 91 liberty sedan with sunroof that has leaked and needed repair.or do you have to be in the click to get some help.......col..ps/ any body no any repairer in melbourne
northern suburbs.

[Fury]

pm ed

[Fatz]

cmon fury, share the solution to us all..
i also have a leking sunroof. not electric tho..

[Fury]

OK... just because I used to fit sunroofs, doesn't mean that I am an expert
but,
Here goes.

There are many different sunroofs, too many to accurately remember or describe in detail. I'll start with std the electric ones first.

The main causes of leaks are 1, dirt and 2 deteriation of the seals. 1 trick is to pressurise the car, while sudsing the edges of the roof and seals.

To find the main leak:
Dust the rubber with talcum powder, block "restrict" ( dont completely block) the drain holes.
Turn the air vent controls to circulate.
wind the windows up
insert a small hose ( 1/4" line or so) in between the rubber seals when closing the door.

Pressurize the car with an air compressor , through the tube, whilst dousing the edges of the sun roof (bad name really - when it lets in the rain)
if the car has really good door seals, you may need to wind down the window a smig if you are using a big compressor. ( so the windows don't blow out 8O ) - yes I did this only once

See where it bubbles. This is the main area of the leak.
Let drain for a while and carefully open the roof, to "see" where the water was running - and washed the talcum powder away.
You can obtain a flat , neoprene strip fron clark rubber, or rubber supplier.

This can be taped to the existing seal ( unless it is obviously damaged )


If however, you know it is the main seals, you can order new ones and install htem, it just takes time.
In most cases , you will need to remove the roof lining, then the underside sunroof fixtures. In most cases, it will slide backward, revealing a channel that it sits in. it will then drop down.

or, when the clips are undone, it just drops down. DONT bend the channel slides when taking it out.
make a mud map of what you remove and from where. ( draw the roof on an a4 sheet and push the fastnings through the paper, so you know the exact positioning

The seals either slide off, screw off, or you need to disconnect the tape from the botom of the seal.
a motor trim supply place should also have some seal rubber for sale on a roll. You will need to take a sample with you though.

Manual roof.
Mostly these are the tilt variety, and the leak is usually the drain holes are clogged, but the tilt hinge ( as in the Vortex roof) is subject th letting in copious quantities of water at the wrong angle, or if rusted in that area. basically, it relies on the drain holes working really well. If the seals are old, the catches can be adjusted down tighter or the seals replaced. Do the above mentioned test to see the main sourse of the problem. ( however, this does not always work, but worth a try.)
flexible wire and compressor will help to un clog the holes. Push the wire right through maybe up to a 1.5 mt or so.
TEST and make sure it drains, by filling the channel , carefully with the roof OPEN - so you can see it draining. Test ALL the drains ( usually a car doesnt sit level at all times.)

good luck,

Hope this helps.