Sun Roof sagging and leaks in car wash

[Daviddnv]

I have a 2011 Expedition and I noticed that when I go through the car wash the sun roof leaks with the high pressure water. I understand that the sun roof is "supposed" to leak some and there is a water drain. That seems to work ok. It's when this high pressure water comes down, it squirts through the seam and on to the interior.

Looking at the top of the sun roof, I noticed that it "sags" in the middle. Enough that if I push down on it a little, I can clearly see how the water gets in.

So my question is, is there an adjustment that will make the sun roof come up tighter? I can push on the inside and almost stop the leaking. So I think the seals are good, it's just the sun roof is not coming up all the way, but only in the center. Below is a picture (hopefully, I never attached anything before). You can see where it is bowed in the center.

Any ideas are appreciated.

Thanks,
David

 

[07navi]

I would try to put a shim under the middle of the seal.

 

[Daviddnv]

I would try to put a shim under the middle of the seal.

I'll have to look at that. I'm guessing I can get something in there.

Thanks,
David

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

I had a relative that had a similar problem with a 2006 Saturn Vue with the factory installed, power sunroof. I was able to adjust the glass and eliminate the leak.

With the sunroof open (on the Vue), there were Torx screws that held the glass frame (left and right side - not the front or rear). When I pushed on the glass, I could see one of the screws was not tight and it had allowed the glass to sag.

With a helper, I carefully raised the glass with hand pressure from inside, while tightening the Torx screw. After several careful adjustments, the glass was more flush and sealed very well.

With that vehicle, and one of my current vehicles with a power sunroof, I apply silicone dielectric grease to the weather strips and seals in the fall, while it is warm and can be parked in the sun. That keeps the seals pliable and functioning.

 

[Daviddnv]

I had a relative that had a similar problem with a 2006 Saturn Vue with the factory installed, power sunroof. I was able to adjust the glass and eliminate the leak.

With the sunroof open (on the Vue), there were Torx screws that held the glass frame (left and right side - not the front or rear). When I pushed on the glass, I could see one of the screws was not tight and it had allowed the glass to sag.

With a helper, I carefully raised the glass with hand pressure from inside, while tightening the Torx screw. After several careful adjustments, the glass was more flush and sealed very well.

With that vehicle, and one of my current vehicles with a power sunroof, I apply silicone dielectric grease to the weather strips and seals in the fall, while it is warm and can be parked in the sun. That keeps the seals pliable and functioning.

Thanks for the input. I check that before I try the shim. Thing is, it's doesn't leak in normal weather. Or not enough that the drainage does not take care of it.

 

[Flexpedition]

I would try 2 things. Buy a small bottle of Aerospace 303 Rubber & Seal protectcant conditioner. It should revive some shrinking of the seal around the roof panel. Treat the rear portion & most of the sides with the roof in the up/vent position, treat the front portion with the roof slid back. Amazon sells a 3.4oz bottle for about $18. Now would be a good time to clean the entire troff (spelling) area, maybe grease the tracks as well.

Second thing I'd try $0.00 is the roof recalibration by following these steps:

1. NOTE: The driver front door must be open during the entire procedure.
Open the driver front door.
2. Turn the ignition to the ON position.
3. NOTE: Complete the following within 5 seconds:
A. Cycle the ignition to the OFF position and then back to the ON position.
B. Press the sliding glass panel close switch for less than one second and release.
C. NOTE: When the sliding glass panel close switch is pressed and held, there should be an audible click from the switch within 3 seconds. The audible click indicates that the
motor has accepted the request to initialize. If there is no audible click, the procedure must be repeated from step 1.

Press and hold the sliding glass panel close switch until the glass moves to the fully open and the back to the fully closed position (this could take up to 20 seconds to start).

4. Release the switch and verify successful initialization by carrying out one-touch open, one-touch close and one-touch vent operations.

 

[Gruffskipper]

Had the same issue...there are screws that hold it in the proper position. I adjusted it flush and solved the problem.

 

[Neal1234]

I have a 2011 Expedition and I noticed that when I go through the car wash the sun roof leaks with the high pressure water. I understand that the sun roof is "supposed" to leak some and there is a water drain. That seems to work ok. It's when this high pressure water comes down, it squirts through the seam and on to the interior.

Looking at the top of the sun roof, I noticed that it "sags" in the middle. Enough that if I push down on it a little, I can clearly see how the water gets in.

So my question is, is there an adjustment that will make the sun roof come up tighter? I can push on the inside and almost stop the leaking. So I think the seals are good, it's just the sun roof is not coming up all the way, but only in the center. Below is a picture (hopefully, I never attached anything before). You can see where it is bowed in the center.

Any ideas are appreciated.

Thanks,
David

View attachment 35097

 

[Neal1234]

Had the same problem with my 2017 expedition max. Numerous time to the dealer. Ford ended up replacing the vehicle as they could not stop it from leaking. Was a very long tedious process.

 

[07navi]

Sun/moon roofs have been leaking ever since they invented them. I am almost afraid to open mine.

 

[GaryH2]

I had a relative that had a similar problem with a 2006 Saturn Vue with the factory installed, power sunroof. I was able to adjust the glass and eliminate the leak.

With the sunroof open (on the Vue), there were Torx screws that held the glass frame (left and right side - not the front or rear). When I pushed on the glass, I could see one of the screws was not tight and it had allowed the glass to sag.

With a helper, I carefully raised the glass with hand pressure from inside, while tightening the Torx screw. After several careful adjustments, the glass was more flush and sealed very well.

With that vehicle, and one of my current vehicles with a power sunroof, I apply silicone dielectric grease to the weather strips and seals in the fall, while it is warm and can be parked in the sun. That keeps the seals pliable and functioning.

I had a similar situation with my 07 Expedition. It looked just like your photo with the "sag" in the middle. I replaced the rubber weatherstrip on mine and adjusted it with the 4 torx screws as mentioned by 99. My weatherstripping had a gouge and after 11 years was pretty oxidized. I don't recall any issues after that but I rarely used a car wash anyway.

The conditioners mentioned in the other posts are a good idea. I will keep them in mind for our other rides.

 

[Daviddnv]

Thanks for the responses. I adjusted it with the 2 screws on each side, very easy. But it really does not change "sage" part. the adjustment raised the 2 back corners some and the middle. So maybe it's the best it can be for now.

The weatherstripping is original so it's probably a little shrunk. I never really looked at it before, but it's a little strange how it just raises up and somehow does not leak. There is no tongue and grove type type of seal, just the stripping against the rim of the sunroof hole. I guess it works when the stripping is good and soft and all. I suspect the stripping is at the end of life. I'll look into replacing that or maybe try the conditioner if it will bring it back to life some.

Thanks again for the pointers.

 

[07navi]

Thanks for the responses. I adjusted it with the 2 screws on each side, very easy. But it really does not change "sage" part. the adjustment raised the 2 back corners some and the middle. So maybe it's the best it can be for now.

The weatherstripping is original so it's probably a little shrunk. I never really looked at it before, but it's a little strange how it just raises up and somehow does not leak. There is no tongue and grove type type of seal, just the stripping against the rim of the sunroof hole. I guess it works when the stripping is good and soft and all. I suspect the stripping is at the end of life. I'll look into replacing that or maybe try the conditioner if it will bring it back to life some.

Thanks again for the pointers.

Shim it.

 

[Daviddnv]

Shim it.

I might try the shim, but I don't think it will solve the problem.

The shim will push the center up, making the weatherstripping and the metal line up better. That might help, but there is not a tight seal between the weatherstripping and metal, it's just there. I guess when it's new or not 10 years old, or if it's just raining and such, that works. But with the full pressure of a car wash, it leaks. Maybe I'll just put a towel there when I go through the car wash. The drainage system seems to work since the head liner is never really wet. Plus the drainage probably gets flushed out well since it leaks, lol.
Thanks.