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Very minor sunroof water leak!

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InfernoFiero View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote InfernoFiero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Very minor sunroof water leak!
    Posted: 29 June 2011 at 2:21pm
Hello,

My Fiero is leaking during the rainy days, but,
fortunately, very minor that drops on the center console.
The leak source is the latch that opens the sunroof. The
water drips from that very latch. I checked all the
headliner and it's all dry. Does anyone have advice on
how I could address this, and is it possible for the
latch to be the culprit for the leak?

Thank you,

InfernoFiero
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Patrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Patrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 June 2011 at 2:50pm

Make sure the four drain holes are clear. When I was driving my GT with the sunroof, I could drive it in the rain with the roof raised and water would NOT enter the inside of the car.

If water is actually dripping from the latch, it's also possible that the rubber seals on the screws or whatever holds the latch to the sunroof glass (it's been awhile since I've looked closely at one) are leaking. If so, replace them.

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InfernoFiero View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote InfernoFiero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 June 2011 at 2:53pm
I'll try to check both, but are the four sunroof drains at
each corner of the sunroof and what would they look like?
It seems I can't find the image of a fiero sunroof drain on
google!
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Patrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Patrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 June 2011 at 3:27pm

The early models ('84?) didn't have them, but they can be added.

This has been discussed plenty of times at Pennock's. There have been many images of this posted at that site. Use the search function there, works great.

 

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Patrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Patrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 June 2011 at 5:42pm

Everything you need to know can be found somewhere in Here.

 

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InfernoFiero View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote InfernoFiero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 June 2011 at 6:03pm
Alright thanks. By the looks of it, one of the plastic
screws is somewhat out, and jammed. Thanks for your help,
I'm going to address that by using plyers (hopefully it
doesn't break).
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Indy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Indy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 June 2011 at 7:41pm

Even if your problem turns out to be at the latch, you should drill drain holes in the 4 corners, as I did on my 84. There is considerable potential to have a leak on '84 - '86, at which time the factory solved the problem. 

I too searched Pennock's as suggested by Pat and noted that a second possible source of the leak is an "obsolete" designed sunroof mounting "bolt" that has been replaced with one with a self sealing washer.

I drilled the drain holes using a 1.5" long sleeve made from a piece of fuel line positioned to protect the seal rubber. I chucked a nominal 1/8" diameter drill bit so that only about 3/16" of it protruded beyond  the sleeve. That way the drill bit will pass through the plastic roof panel, not damage the seal and not touch the "steel" roof. lt is one of the least demanding changes that you can do to protect your car. My sunroof had leaked and damaged the headliner, so I had to replace that as well. Not an expensive replacement but it does take a couple of hours or so.

If you want to, send an email to me garyhawthorn@shaw.ca and I will send the "drilling" procedure and the comments about the leaking latch that I downloaded from Pennock's. 

tks

Gary 

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InfernoFiero View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote InfernoFiero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 July 2011 at 4:51pm
Thank you guys for your help, but I hammered in one of the
plastic screws, and voila... No more water leak at all! I
really appreciate the prompt responses !
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InfernoFiero View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote InfernoFiero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 July 2011 at 6:29pm
Actually, the screw popped out again... I have no idea how
that is possible. Is there a replacement screw I can get
from the local home hardware store or is this specifically
meant for Fiero sunroof?
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Patrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Patrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 July 2011 at 6:44pm

Originally posted by InfernoFiero InfernoFiero wrote:

I hammered in one of the plastic screws...

Originally posted by InfernoFiero InfernoFiero wrote:

Actually, the screw popped out again... I have no idea how that is possible.

Generally speaking, screws are not "hammered in".

I doubt replacement screws can be found in a hardware store, but I don't know for sure.

 

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Post Options Post Options   Quote InfernoFiero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 July 2011 at 8:03pm
How else could have I removed, or inserted deeper the
plastic screw (it has no opening to be used by any
screwdriver)?
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Post Options Post Options   Quote InfernoFiero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 July 2011 at 5:29pm
Hello,

So I drilled 3 holes (not 4) in each corner with a 3/16th
drill, and like you suggest Patrick in the thread you
provided me with, I put tape around most of it.

Anyways, the water still leaks at the bottom right and
through the screws (the seals around the screws are worn
out).

I will buy the screws that the GM recommended.

And, I noticed at the bottom right of my sunroof that
the seal gasket corner is not properly sealed. With
courtesy to member Indy and his close-up picture of his
car, and me
not having access to a camera, I am using his picture and
his car as
a quick reference. I put a red circle around the corner
in where mine seems separated and has a gap. Could this
be
the culprit to the bottom right water leak? Could I use
general home sealant on that?

Here is the
picture
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InfernoFiero View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote InfernoFiero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 July 2011 at 6:36am
Thanks for your help, I'll check to see how deep the hole
is.
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