Thread: Sunroof. Any downside to sealing it off?

Hey Kenley,

You should be able to sort it out.

My sun roof doesn't leak a drop and I open it regularly. ( I am not saying I don't have other leaks )

Pull it apart - Replace / clean the seals.

If not SikaFlex is your friend.

Good luck

I'm with you with sealing up a sun roof. I don't have one on my defender but I've had cars with dodgy sun roofs - drove me mad. What really gets me though is what's the point of them anyway? Especially in a sunny, hot climate, what purpose do they serve?

Why not paint it with blackout paint at the same time?

Ian.

I have a sunroof on my 08 defender svx, it doesn't leak

Same here. SVX with sunroof and no leaks. But you need to perform simple maintenance to keep it in good shape. Not more than keeping it clean, and a few times per year spray the rubber seal with a sîlicon seal protector. That keeps it just fine. I do like a sunroof in a Defender as it gives a more spacy roomy atmosphere.

Well my SVX leaks like a sieve. For the short term I'll see if my rolled up towel works. When I manage to get the rack off I'll have a go at repairing seals
Kenley

Originally Posted by POD

I haven't had any experience with defender sunroofs specifically, but have had a couple on Rangies. I assume there is not much difference in the basic design. They are not intended to have a water-tight seal where the sunroof closes in it''s surround, instead the water that gets in is supposed to drain away via hoses that run down the a and b pillars on both sides. If you're getting water gushing in like that, it sounds like the drain tubes are blocked and the tray that contains the mechanism is filling up with water. Find where the drain tubes finish- in the rangies it is in the rear wheel arches above the tyre and behind the front inner guards in front of the front doors- make sure the ends aren't blocked with mud, poke a bit of wire into them and make sure they're clear. Harder to get to the top end of the drain tubes, you can blow them out with compressed air but you may blow a gallon of muddy water into your roof lining. That might overload the swear filter.

Hey POD - maybe you have some pointers or know of a method/guide!!

I have 1990 RRC unfortunately it has a glass sunroof (as opposed to steel covered) which inexplicably (or no one saw them) shattered a year or so ago. I've been putting it off and finally measured it up and had Phil at TR Spares in Adelaide send a replacement glass over. I would silastic it closed as well but the RR has only 98000k and still pretty neat. Still, first thing I did when we bought it 5 years ago at 75k was to take out the sunroof fuse.

Are you aware of any guide to fitting a new glass? I am thinking it will be a bit like fitting a tyre - use plastic levers to re insert the seal ... really have no idea. I've scoured the forum but I'm not the best at searching so hope I haven't missed anything before bothering you!

I'd be grateful for any pointers.

Cheers
Matto