Very minor sunroof water leak!
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Forum Name: Technical Questions and Discussions
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Topic: Very minor sunroof water leak!
Posted By: InfernoFiero
Subject: Very minor sunroof water leak!
Date Posted: 29 June 2011 at 2:21pm
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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 |
Replies:
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 29 June 2011 at 2:50pm
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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. |
Posted By: InfernoFiero
Date Posted: 29 June 2011 at 2:53pm
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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! |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 29 June 2011 at 3:27pm
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The early models ('84?) didn't have them, but they can be added. This has been discussed plenty of times at http://www.fiero.nl/cgi-bin/fiero/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro - Pennock's . There have been many images of this posted at that site. Use the search function there, works great.
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Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 29 June 2011 at 5:42pm
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Everything you need to know can be found somewhere in http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Archives/Archive-000001/HTML/20100421-2-095589.html - Here .
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Posted By: InfernoFiero
Date Posted: 29 June 2011 at 6:03pm
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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). |
Posted By: Indy
Date Posted: 29 June 2011 at 7:41pm
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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 mailto:garyhawthorn@shaw.ca - 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 |
Posted By: InfernoFiero
Date Posted: 01 July 2011 at 4:51pm
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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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Posted By: InfernoFiero
Date Posted: 01 July 2011 at 6:29pm
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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? |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 01 July 2011 at 6:44pm
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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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InfernoFiero wrote:
Posted By: InfernoFiero
Date Posted: 01 July 2011 at 8:03pm
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How else could have I removed, or inserted deeper the
plastic screw (it has no opening to be used by any screwdriver)? |
Posted By: InfernoFiero
Date Posted: 03 July 2011 at 5:29pm
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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? http://postimage.org/image/4xuywvyc/ - Here is the picture |
Posted By: InfernoFiero
Date Posted: 08 July 2011 at 6:36am
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Thanks for your help, I'll check to see how deep the hole
is. |