Water Drainage And Wind Noise Diagnosis

The sunroof glass panel includes a bulb seal that compress against the body roof opening to prevent wind aspiration and minimize water leakage at the body interface. Water that bypasses the sunroof seal is managed within the sunroof frame water management and directed to drain spouts located at the four corners of the sunroof assembly. Water exiting the spouts is routed down drain tubes which exit the vehicle body to the outside through a grommet. The water management system is designed to manage excessive water intake bypassing the sunroof seal up to 2 L/min to provide protection against minor sunroof seal failures. During rainstorms water may be seen dripping from the sunroof seal into the sunroof water management from the interior of the vehicle; this is considered normal performance unless accompanied with wind aspiration.

WATER LEAK DIAGNOSIS 

When diagnosing a sunroof water leak, it is recommended to follow the below procedure. 

1. INSPECT SUNROOF SEAL: 

   From the exterior of the vehicle, visually inspect the sunroof seal interface to body around entire perimeter. Using a flashlight, look closely for any areas where the seal does not appear to be contacting the body roof or for tears/cuts in the sunroof seal. A business card can be inserted between the roof and seal and slid along the opening to subjectively check compression. Resistance to slide the card should feel similar when comparing the front and rear of the roof opening. Adjust the glass panels

   Refer to GLASS, SUNROOF, ADJUSTMENTS .

   or replace the seal if necessary.

   NOTE:

   Replacing the glass seal may only temporarily resolve the issue if the failure mode lies within the sunroof drain tubes or sunroof frame joints.

2. INSPECT FRONT DRAIN SPOUTS:  Open the sunroof glass panel. Looking down from the exterior of vehicle, visually inspect the front corners of the sunroof frame water management system for debris (small leaves, seeds, pine needles, and others) that may be blocking the entrance to the drain spouts and remove if necessary.
3. TEST FRONT DRAIN TUBES:  Confirm that the front drain tubes are properly draining water. With the sunroof glass open, identify the water management channel in the sunroof frame directly below the body roof opening flange. Using a small bottle of water, carefully and slowly poor water in the channel near the front corner of the roof opening. Confirm if water is draining from the drain spout.
   • When the front drain tubes are functioning properly water will be seen accumulating on the ground under the front of the vehicle.
   • If water is standing/pooling in the sunroof water management system and not draining, the tube could be plugged with debris. Attempt to clear the hose by applying high pressure air in the entrance of the drain spout and retest. If water is still not draining the tube may be pinched, kinked or the plug condition cannot be cleared. In this case the sunroof drain tube will need to be repaired or replaced. Refer to TUBE, SUNROOF DRAIN, REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
   • If water is draining in the drain spout but no water is seen on the ground underneath the vehicle, the drain tube is likely disconnected from the sunroof frame spout or body exit grommet. Water may be seen leaking out of the interior trim or the interior floor may become wet. In this condition the headliner may need to be lowered to confirm drain tube connection to the sunroof or interior trim removed to confirm the exit grommet connection. Refer to TUBE, SUNROOF DRAIN, REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
4. TEST REAR DRAIN TUBES:  If the front drain tubes are confirmed OK, the headliner should next be lowered to test the rear drain tubes and inspect the sunroof frame joints for leaks. Refer to HEADLINER, REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . Testing to confirm if the rear drain tubes are functioning properly can be done using the method described for front tubes but the front of the vehicle must be driven up ramps during test to direct water flow to the rear of the vehicle. It is recommended to use small quantities of water when testing the rear drain tubes because it is not possible to visibly see if water is pooling up in the rear of water management system. If water is not seen on ground underneath the rear of vehicle, the interior trim should be removed for further inspection of the rear drain tube and replace if necessary. Refer to TUBE, SUNROOF DRAIN, REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
5. TEST SUNROOF FRAME:  If rear drain tubes are confirmed OK, inspect the underside of sunroof frame joints at all four corners (plastic front/rear frame components interface with aluminum side tracks) for evidence of water leakage. With the vehicle on a level surface and the sunroof closed, a garden hose can be used to flow water on the top surface of the sunroof glass panels while someone inside the vehicle inspects the frame joints for leaks. If a leak is found at a joint, repair or replace the sunroof frame. Refer to SUNROOF, DUAL PANE, REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .

WIND NOISE DIAGNOSIS 

When diagnosing a wind aspiration complaint, it is recommended to follow the below procedure. 

1. Drive the vehicle with the sunroof in closed position and the sunshade full open to confirm if complaint can be replicated.
2. If replicated, tape off the sunroof interface to the body around the entire perimeter on the exterior of the roof using painters tape or equivalent.
3. Test drive again to confirm if wind aspiration is still present. If still present, source of aspiration is likely coming from other component (windshield, roof rails, and others). If no longer present, tape can be removed in sections and test driven to help determine exact location of aspiration on sunroof if necessary.
4. From the exterior of the vehicle visually inspect the sunroof seal interface to body around entire periphery. Using a flashlight, look closely for any areas where the seal does not appear to be contacting the body roof or for tears in the sunroof seal. A business card can be inserted between the roof and seal and then slid along the opening to subjectively check compression. Resistance to slide the card should feel similar when comparing the front and rear of the roof opening. Adjust the glass panels or replace seal if necessary. Refer to GLASS, SUNROOF, ADJUSTMENTS .