leakage by front door ceiling

[WILBO]

Hello,  i have a moist spot just above the front right door, near the frontwindow,  i sealed the frontwindowseal, and i sealed  what i can see of the part outside on the roof where the luggage railing is,  the sliding roof doesnt look like it is giving issues,  when i poor water over it, the spot stays dry

do i completely have to remove the  rail for the luggagerack, as water might be still creeping onder it?

 

your thougts/advice

[Slartibartfast]

Check the sunroof drains.

[WILBO]

ii did, they drain properly, and the spot stays dry then

[Slartibartfast]

I would be tempted to remove the headliner and look for the leak from the inside, because the water might be running along the inside of the roof a ways from where it's getting in to where it's showing up. But if you're sure it's not the sunroof or the windshield seal, then yeah, makes sense it would have to be the roof rack.

 

I have heard of people looking for water leaks by pressurizing the cab (tape up the vents behind the rear side windows, set vents to fresh air (not recirc), blower on full, windows up/doors closed), and then spraying soapy water on the outside to see where it bubbles. I haven't tried this one myself, but it seems like it should work, if it's a big leak. Certainly easier than dropping the headliner.

[WILBO]

that is a good one,  worth trying    Thanks

[adamzan]

I'd pull the headliner, then sit inside of it while someone blasts it with a hose. Simply pouring water from a bucket might not be enough force.

 

On my old 1994, someone had installed an Xterra rack and it leaked around the riv-nuts they used, I had to take it all apart and seal it with proper automotive grade sealant. But pulling the headliner you'd see traces of where it came from, most likely.