Sunroof leaking (Page 1/4)
Black Pegasus MAR 22, 09:21 AM
Hi everyone,

I know this has been discussed in the past, but I wasn't able to find an answer to my question. It leaks majorly. I turn a corner and I get a shower. Let me tell you it's not really fun when you're trying to impress a girl with your car and she has a cold shower from water infiltrating by the sunroof. I've tried to fix my problem 3 or 4 times last year without any success.

How can I solve this problem WITHOUT drilling a hole into my rails? (This will only take the problem and putting it elsewhere and i'll end up with a rusting frame)

I have:
-A brand new FieroStore sunroof weatherstrips
-Brand new FieroStore sunroof rails
-Instalation was done properly with revits and weatherstrip caulking in the corners
-I've tried to shim the attaching device with metal plating to lower the height of the sunroof when closed.
-I've even tried to put caulking on both sides of the rails.

I've tried the 5$ bill test (See the friction between the glass and the weatherstrip) and at some places, there was practically no friction at all. I suspect the infiltration is made from there. The weatherstrips profile even look concave (Wich seams awkward since it's lowering the contact pressure between the two). The thing wierd about this is that it is a brand new weatherstrip and it was always leaking.

So my question again: How can I solve this problem WITHOUT drilling a hole into my rails? Or a way to make that weatherstrip more "balloon" shaped? It is really something I want to fix cause sitting on a wet bench or having a shower isnt pleasent at all. I don't have my car available right now, it is parked, but as soon as I have it back home, I'll try solutions I have. I'm making it a priority for this summer.

Thank you a lot!

Fred

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87 Pontiac Fiero GT

LT188GT MAR 22, 10:16 AM
This might sound a little off the wall, but I had a water leak years ago and a friend of mine told me to do this.
Buy some round shoe laces, the kind that you find on work boots and hiking boots.
Pry up the seal and install the laces under the seal on the outer side of the seal as shown by the arrows in the pic.
I did this all the way around the seal.

This worked for me and has lasted well over the years.

This images is larger than 153600 bytes. Click to view.

Also is your latch loose or tight when you close and lock the panel in place?
The latch is fixable by CAREFULLY bending the two tabs that sometimes will bend outward from the lock.
These latches can break easily so be very gentle if you have to bend them back in.

EDIT to say that the laces were enough to push the seal up to contact the glass better.

[This message has been edited by LT188GT (edited 03-22-2012).]

jwrape MAR 22, 10:18 AM

quote
Originally posted by LT188GT:

This might sound a little off the wall, but I had a water leak years ago and a friend of mine told me to do this.
Buy some round shoe laces, the kind that you find on work boots and hiking boots.
Pry up the seal and install the laces under the seal on the outer side of the seal as shown by the arrows in the pic.
I did this all the way around the seal.

This worked for me and has lasted well over the years.

This images is larger than 153600 bytes. Click to view.


Also is your latch loose or tight when you close and lock the panel in place?
The latch is fixable by CAREFULLY bending the two tabs that sometimes will bend outward from the lock.
These latches can break easily so be very gentle if you have to bend them back in.



I like that idea. Brilliant!

[This message has been edited by jwrape (edited 03-22-2012).]

Old Lar MAR 22, 10:24 AM
Replace the sun roof top with a non sunroof top.
c-l MAR 22, 11:50 AM

quote
Originally posted by jwrape:


I like that idea. Brilliant!




X2 !

What do you guys use between the roof and the metal sunroof tracks ? Silicone ? Urethane (as used for windshield ?

OEM set up has a sort of flimsy foam / rubber / plastic between the roof and the sunroof tracks that is usually beyond repair by the time we change the sunroof tracks.
firejo24 MAR 22, 12:30 PM
There is a technical service bulliten on leaking sun roofs in Fieros (they call them "vista Vents") and it does involve adding drainage holes. Here is the bulliten:


1986 Pontiac Fiero L4-151 2.5L Copyright © 2008, ALLDATA 9.90 Page 1
Sunroof / Moonroof Weatherstrip: All Technical Service Bulletins
Sunroof (Vista Vent) - Water Leaks
Number 86-10-1 Date 1/86
Subject: VISTA VENT WATER LEAKS
1984-86 FIERO (WITH AD3)
Conditions, which contribute to water leaks on 1984 to 1986 Fiero vista vents, can be repaired by adding drainage holes to the plastic roof outer panel
and replacement of hardware nuts at the hinge and latch locations on the glass panel..
This bulletin contains procedures for the addition of holes to the plastic roof outer panel, description and part numbers of new hardware nuts as well as
proper sealing patterns for weatherstrips (if weatherstrip replacement is necessary).
The addition of holes provides a water drain system and are to be drilled through the Plastic Roof Outer Panel Only. The holes are to be located in all
four (4) corners of the weatherstrip mounting area. Figure 1 shows the location of the holes with the weatherstrip removed for illustrative purposes.
The recommended procedure for adding holes to the roof outer panel is as follows:
1. Remove the vista vent glass assembly from the vehicle and place on a clean work surface.



2. During the following drilling operations, it will be necessary to hold the weatherstrip out of the way to prevent damage. Using an electric drill
motor and 3/16" drill bit, drill one hole (through the plastic roof outer panel only) in each corner of the weatherstrip cavity as shown in Figure 1,
view A.
3. Reinstall the vista vent glass assembly to the vehicle and water test to insure an acceptable repair.
4. After water testing, remove the vista vent glass assembly and dry the roof inner panel by blowing compressed air through the holes in the roof
outer panel. Apply a small amount of GM P/N 1052856 anti-corrosion compound (or equivalent) through the holes in the roof outer panel to
protect the metal roof inner panel from corrosion caused by damage done during drilling operations.



If water leaks are noted at the hinge and latch locations, a new hardware nut is now available and provides improved appearance and sealing. (Refer to
Bulletin 86-10-3.) The new hardware nut has an integral seal and no longer requires the use of bushings (Figure 2).
Due to the lower profile and improved appearance, the new nut should be used in all locations (hinges and latches) when service operations on vista
vents are performed.
If the vista vent opening weatherstrip is damaged and requires replacement, it is important that the weatherstrip be properly installed and sealed that the
weatherstrip be properly installed and sealed to the retainers and body panels.



The shaded areas shown in Figure 3 (view A and section A-A) show the correct locations and sealing patterns to be used when resealing or replacing
weatherstrips. Use 3M 08011 weatherstrip adhesive (or equivalent) when resealing or replacing weatherstrips.
Black Pegasus MAR 22, 05:20 PM

quote
Originally posted by LT188GT:

This might sound a little off the wall, but I had a water leak years ago and a friend of mine told me to do this.
Buy some round shoe laces, the kind that you find on work boots and hiking boots.
Pry up the seal and install the laces under the seal on the outer side of the seal as shown by the arrows in the pic.
I did this all the way around the seal.

This worked for me and has lasted well over the years.

This images is larger than 153600 bytes. Click to view.

Also is your latch loose or tight when you close and lock the panel in place?
The latch is fixable by CAREFULLY bending the two tabs that sometimes will bend outward from the lock.
These latches can break easily so be very gentle if you have to bend them back in.

EDIT to say that the laces were enough to push the seal up to contact the glass better.




I'll have to try that one out. Thanks for the Idea. I can't really try in now since my car isn't at my place but for such a cheap measure, it will be one of the first I try. I've found a picture that ca probably help out with the explenation of the profile of the seal. To this link: Weatherstrips if you look under the "F" Letter, it really looks like my seal. It makes that concave awkward shape that when the glass goes down, it's barely toutching the seal. Therefore I would be better off puting the laces under it to make it "balloon" at the top for better contact.... right?


firejo24,
This is exactly the method I don't want to use. :/ Still thank you for the info and for your time, but I'm just not willing to risk such a nice frame (In Canada) Just for drainage holes.

Fred

------------------
87 Pontiac Fiero GT

firejo24 MAR 22, 06:25 PM
You might look and see if it's already been done. If so maybe the holes are plugged.
weloveour86se MAR 22, 09:15 PM
Search youtube for Buddycraigs vids. He shows in his own plain easy to understand way how to drill the holes. My sunroof use to be just like yours, drilled the holes and walla. No more wet t-shirt contest.
Lambo nut MAR 23, 09:02 AM

quote
Originally posted by weloveour86se:

My sunroof use to be just like yours, drilled the holes and walla. No more wet t-shirt contest.



Whoa, wait a minute, if this was the case, why would you want to fix it!!

Kevin