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Jessemadnote
Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2023
Posts: 2
Location: BC
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 Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2023 11:44 am Post subject: Sunroof Leaking in a 1987 Vanagon |
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Hello all,
First time poster here. I'm having an issue with our sunroof. I’ve attached some pictures. Forums talk about drainage tubes being involved but I can’t seem to find them. It appears to me that the area where it is supposed go drain has been sealed off by a previous owner. Not sure if anyone can offer any additional insight as to whether that's a factory install or not?
Jesse
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RoryGirl
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2016
Posts: 993
Location: WestWorld Nanaimo BC
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| Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2023 11:49 am Post subject: Re: Sunroof Leaking in a 1987 Vanagon |
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| This is an aftermarket sunroof with no drainage. The area that is "sealed" is just a gap. |
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leecat
Samba Member
Joined: September 13, 2012
Posts: 777
Location: Regina
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| Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2023 1:29 pm Post subject: Re: Sunroof Leaking in a 1987 Vanagon |
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Rory is correct, and the drain tubes are only on tintop models, not on Westfalias. If you poke around the forums you can see photos of factory Westy sunroofs, considerably different than what's been installed on yours.
Short of a whole new pop-top, I think you're stuck with the 'two tubes of silicone' solution.
And welcome!  |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32989
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Jessemadnote
Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2023
Posts: 2
Location: BC
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| Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2023 9:13 am Post subject: Re: Sunroof Leaking in a 1987 Vanagon |
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| djkeev wrote: |
I used to run after market sunroofs like that years ago.
Where is it leaking?
Is it the glass to the rubber?
Or
Is it the aluminum frame to the roofs sheet metal?
Wherever it is leaking, DO NOT TRY FIXING IT WITH SILICONE!
Though, if the original sealant was silicone, using it again may be the only solution..... and also probably why it is leaking now!
Silicone isn't the miracle sealer that Dow Corning has convinced us it is.
There are way better and longer lasting solutions.
But first use a hose and find the exact point of water ingress, depending where it is ther are different fixes.
Let us know....... |
I believe it's leaking through the rubber, seems like it never had proper seal drains to begin with. I think I may be in a spot where the best approach is to remove, clean, re-seal, and reinstall. What do you think? Is there a specific sealant you like best in that case? |
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PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6344
Location: Portland OR
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| Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2023 9:43 am Post subject: Re: Sunroof Leaking in a 1987 Vanagon |
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This is what the stock factory sunroof looks like on the vanagon tin top. No such sunroof was ever installed on a Westy. The drain tubes you keep reading about were within the body structure to drain this type of sunroof.
Your sunroof is something a previous owner installed into the Westy top. There would not be drain tubes on this type of installation.
Your best bet is to remove it and all the old sealant and reinstall with new sealant. Good luck!
_________________
89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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