Sealing a panoramic roof

m4rkw · February 17, 2023

Hello

After more than a month at the garage (mostly waiting for parts to arrive from Japan) the leaks at the back of my car are apparently fixed but they've detected a leak at the front now leaking into an A-pillar and they have a horrible feeling it could be the panoramic roof.

Obviously not good news, hoping it's not that, or if it is that the seal is available (and in the uk!) and easily obtained. Worst case scenario I asked if they could just seal the roof up completely and disconnect the switch and they said yes but it would be a one-hit wonder, it would either work or not and if it didn't work that sealant wouldn't come out again without breaking the glass. So would basically write the car off if it didn't work.

Has anyone ever attempted this or know of anyone who has? This is obviously a last resort and I'm really hoping it's leaking from somewhere else like a panel join or a corner of the windscreen but was just curious if anyone's come up against this at some point in the past. I don't care if the roof can't open.

Never again will I buy a car with a sunroof!

Mark

Bluemarlin · February 17, 2023

I assume that you've checked and cleaned any drain tubes to make sure that water is draining out and not collecting.

Not sure if the seal is available separately from the glass, but I'd be reluctant to apply a permanent seal to the roof as it would affect resale. If it's definately the rubber seal that's leaking then I'd try painting on something like liquid electrical tape or a flexible sealant, in the hope that it will seal any cracks/holes. Obviously that's easier if they can detect where the actual leak is.

m4rkw · February 17, 2023

15 minutes ago, Bluemarlin said:

I assume that you've checked and cleaned any drain tubes to make sure that water is draining out and not collecting.

Apparently only regular sunroofs have drain tubes, the panoramic roofs don't have them.

m4rkw · February 17, 2023

Also really don't care about resale value, the car isn't worth much to anyone else. Just wanted to know if it's viable as a permanent fix. Specifically with a panoramic roof it forms part of the structure of the car, this is why you can't have roof rails with one. I think it's designed to flex a bit, so my concern with sealing the edges of it rigidly is that over time the glass could crack if it can't flex.

Djwbiker · February 17, 2023

I would have thought if you want to seal it something like Dow 799 Glazing silicon clear might do the job.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/dow-799-glazing-silicone-clear-310ml/66307

Bluemarlin · February 18, 2023

Or one the marine sealants like Sikaflex, which are designed to withstand UV and salt water, and the bouncing around that a boat takes, so should give you the flex you're looking for.