Leaking Sunroof - help.

[loba]

Okay so here's the deal. My interior has leaks like a mother, and I'm positive it's coming from somewhere on the sunroof. It's exclusively on the drivers side, it seems like the forward corner.

The headliner guys wet on the actually sunroof section and the roof section, and the way that it's built I don't think water is leaking from like the track area and then the water goes up, because that generally defies gravity. So I think the sunroof weatherstripping - the part that seals the interior of the sunroof piece, leaks.

My question is, is that logical thinking? I checked the drain hole up in that corner and it seems to be flowing fine. I want to know if any of you have had any experience with this kind of leak and managed to figure out what it is. I don't want to take my sunroof off and take off the weatherstripping and re-seal only to find out that wasn't the cause. I'm PRETTY sure it is, judging by the water flow, but I was hoping you guys can chime in with your cumulative experience and help me out.

Thanks in advance!

[ensteele]

I would check all of the drain holes and the hoses. That is probably the problem.

[loba]

Originally Posted by ensteele

I would check all of the drain holes and the hoses. That is probably the problem.

BUT would it still be the problem if the headliner on the ACTUAL sunroof was getting wet, as well as the upper ridge around the opening? Gravity and physics seem to say otherwise.

[loba]

Originally Posted by loba

BUT would it still be the problem if the headliner on the ACTUAL sunroof was getting wet, as well as the upper ridge around the opening? Gravity and physics seem to say otherwise.

Self bump - I can't get this thing in a garage before Sunday and I'd like to here some other SVXers opinions.

[loba]

Update:

I guess this thread has become more me bouncing ideas of myself. But it was raining earlier so I popped the sunroof open to take a closer look. The drains are flowing fine. There's ALOT of water on the upper ridge of the headliner where it connects to the sunroof, which makes me believe that it's the sunroof weatherstripping that's leaking, onto the sunroof headliner, into the car. I'm confused as to why it's not just leaking into the drain track, but I guess I'll figure that out when I take the damn thing apart.

If anyone has any ideas on this, or have dealt with it first hand, I would greatly appreciate it.

[bwb3]

I guess you could try replacing the weather stripping but sun roofs are not designed to be waterproof, thus the drain lines.
Gene

[SVXRide]

I believe the sunroof has drains forward and aft...are you sure they're all draining correctly? Is the sunroof closing all the way?
-Bill

[94SubieSVX]

Maybe once the sunroof closes, something got jiggled around and is blocking the drain tubes???

[loba]

The weatherstripping leak I'm referring to is between the weatherstripping and the moving sunroof piece, not the roof. There's nothing that can block the drains when it's closed.

It only has drains in the front, besides - it only leaks in the front - if there were drains clogged in the back it wouldn't leak in the front.

[bwb3]

The SVX sunroof has 4 drains, 2 front and 2 back. The weatherstrip around the sunroof is $110.85 at Subaruparts.com so check out all other possibilities first.
Gene

[ensteele]

A member I know had some of the same symptoms and found that the drain was partially clogged. They had to snake the drain tubes and then it quite leaking. Material had made it drain slowly and when a hard rain occurred, it didn't allow it to drain fast enough to keep it from leaking. I would check out the drain tubes very closely and make sure there are no partial plugs in them.

[siceclipse]

one of the drain holes for my Hatch in the eclipse got clogged the same way.

Over time small particals of dust and what not would collect and finally clogged it.

I plugged up the bottom and sprayed Brake Clean in the drain hole. let it sit for a little and then took the plug out.

Repeated the steps again and snaked the tube the second time to make sure the tube was scrubbed clean.

[SVXRide]

Originally Posted by bwb3

The SVX sunroof has 4 drains, 2 front and 2 back. The weatherstrip around the sunroof is $110.85 at Subaruparts.com so check out all other possibilities first.
Gene

Gene,
thanks! good to see my memory is still serving me right!
-Bill

[loba]

Quick question before I go to town on this thing. If one of the drain plugs was clogged, or partially clogged, would water be present on the headliner of the moving sunroof assembly?

[ensteele]

I would doubt it, but it could be possible.