Thread: Sunroof leaking

No direct experience with the p38 sunroof in particular, but I don't expect it is any different from any other sunroof. There will be a drain hole in each corner of the sunroof assembly, the front two will have rubber tubes that go down the A-pillar (beside the windscreen) and the rears will go down the C pillars and drain into the rear wheel arches. The drains can get blocked with dirt and debris resulting in the problem you are having- may even be the cause of the sagged headlining. Can be cleared with gentle compressed air but may blow muddy crud back inside the roof. very easy to do when you have the roof lining out- you can get to the top end of the drain tubes and blow them out from there.

The sunroof glass panel can be easily adjusted. There's 2 cover trims which slide back on either side (from inside the car) then you'll see the panel retaining screws.

There are 4 drain hoses. The fronts drain in behind the front guards, the rears into the rear wheel arches.
It's quite common for them to block up.
If you're doing the headlining, remove it now & you'll have instant access to the drain hoses.

Update,
Have adjusted the panel as advised, all screws were just tight so it probably dropped over time. I then poured water into the sides of the roof whilst open and the water runs away immediately so no problems with the drains. After closing the roof with the shade open I turned a hose on the car and after a while water was dripping from the ends of the square metal section attached to the inside front edge of the glass. This would correspond to the front edges of the shade if closed so I have found the leak!. Now how to stop it. It must be water getting under the rubber seal around the glass. I propose to remove the panel, remove the seal, clean the edges of the panel add a rust stabiliser and refit the seal with a silicone sealer. What do you think? Is this a common problem?

Sunroof leaks aren't all that common providing the drains are clear. Even if the seal has a slight gap, the drains should be able to drain it quicker than it can overflow (unless you're in a monsoon).

The seal is usually only a problem at the rear where the joint is. The glass panel has a metal edge that the seal fits onto & this rusts away at the seal joint. The rust expands the seal & distorts it.
You don't need to remove the panel to replace the seal if you position the glass correctly for access but it's not a hard job to R&R it anyway.

There is definitely no problem with the drains. If water gets between the seal and the bodywork it escapes via the drains. The water is getting between the glass and seal and finds its way into the square section that runs across the front inside edge of the sunroof. When it drips down it is not over an area covered by the drainage channels, it drips onto the leading edge corners of the shade if it is closed or into the car if the shade is opened. The shade, cloth covering is acting like a wick and sucking it all up. After reading the last post I have had another look at the seal and there is some swelling presumably due to rust underneath. I will remove all tomorrow for a fix.
Thanks again for the input.

There's an excellent write up re. sunroof in rangerovers.net in the P38 threads... do a search.

from recent experience: given that the rooflining is sagging... remove it (details in rr.net as above with lots of pics).

I removed the headlining shell then stripped the material from it and cleaned it down... put an old blanket on the roof of the Rangie, strapped the roof lining on with occi straps and drove to a local motor trimmer who relined roof and sunroof sunshade for $130 incl cost of material...(cash). Left it for 3 days to ensure it was properly dried. Got it home the same way then proceeded to install.

Meanwhile I had removed the sunroof completely (follow RAVE) and bought a new glass seal from the stealer...was reasonable. I also bought 3 metres of 6mm sealing rubber from Clarke rubber to replace that on the upper side of the sunroof frame... Secured it by dobbing small blots of Locktite superglue (fabulous product) to ensure a straight fit.

the metal edge of the sunroof glass was corroded. Cleaned it up with a Dremel and coated it with etch primer then Killrust gloss... let it dry for two days. I then replaced the glass seal (new) and used a neutral curing clear sealant... minimal amount around the metal edge then pressed the seal on using a 12" length of 2"x 1" timber and lightly tapped it all around using a rubber mallet to seat it properly... perfect fit... added a tad extra sealant where the rubber seal ends met to stop water ingress by capilliary action.

It took a couple of hours to replace the headlining shell and the sunroof. A second pair of (patient!) hands makes the job a lot easier. Reinstalling the shell into position is a bit like rubic's cube... but you'll get the hang of it

check the 4 drainage pipes...don't forget to reconnect them BEFORE you fit the headliner into final position! Also, make sure the wiring for the lighting is accessible ....

there's a lot of stuffing around...fiddly bits ...wrt the interior lights etc... just work them one at a time....use of a digital camers before /as you dismantle helps A LOT!

Good luck!