Technical Leaking fixed sunroof/windscreen

[Buffy500]

Hi all, newbie here! We have had the usual problems with our (otherwise much moved) Fiat 500 including door handles breaking, wiper linkage breaking and Blue & Me needing fixing (thank you eBay). Latest one is pretty odd and not one I can find how to fix by searching Google or the fiatforum so hoping for some help.

We have a leak which appears to be either at the top left edge of the windscreen or the front left corner of the fixed sunroof. We have noticed a damp patch when it rains at the top of the A pillar trim for some time but then this week have heard water sloshing about low in the car and a wet front passenger door carpet. On removing the passenger door aperture kick panel and lifting the carpet I discovered soaked insulation and water pooled underneath. It's getting there by running down the A pillar as can be seen in these photos. I checked the duck bills under the windscreen wipers and they and the gutter there are clear and there is no sign of water ingress anywhere else.

Does anyone have any ideas of how to fix this? I have reasonable DIY skills but if it involves removing the windscreen or sunroof I will need to entrust it to our local and very good independent garage but keen to get a steer on what the issue and how to fix it plus potential costs (labour time) if it needs to head to the garage.

Thanks very much!

 

[steveras57]

Dont want to sound facetious or obvious but have you checked the sunroof drain tubes are not clogged with debris?

 

[Jockstrap]

Cable ties gently down the hole (drain tubes as above) front corner both sides. Pour some water into the trough and check it runs out.

 

[John202020]

Does a "fixed roof" have drains?
Suggest headliner out to see better, probably the seal, frost action ? or windscreen sealing?

 

[Jockstrap]

Does a "fixed roof" have drains?
Suggest headliner out to see better, probably the seal, frost action ? or windscreen sealing?

Muppet here. Unless the roof is pre prepped for fixed and opening?
Otherwise patience and slowly working up the windscreen with water.
Expose the bottom of the stained roof panel may indicate if rising damp or passing through?

 

[The Panda Nut]

Dont want to sound facetious or obvious but have you checked the sunroof drain tubes are not clogged with debris?

I have seen this sort of thing on a VW golf. A ling thin wire down the tiny drain pipe soon had it ruuning free. I have also had 3 screens leak over the years and one, on a relatively new car virtually fell out. That may be the creen, in fact my money would be on that, but try the drains first. Use a solution of wasing up liquid and water to flush the tubes. Be careful, go slow to avoid holing the drain pipes.

 

[steveras57]

Dont want to sound facetious or obvious but have you checked the sunroof drain tubes are not clogged with debris?

didnt see the word "fixed"dont see the point in having drains in a roof that dont open " my mistake".

 

[Buffy500]

Thanks guys. I really don't think it has normal drains due to being fixed, just the channels down it's edges which drain out onto the windscreen. Is there a guide for 'expose the bottom of the stained roof panel may indicate if rising damp or passing through' please @Jockstrap ?

 

[The Panda Nut]

I have some stuff called creeping cack cure. Its really a gloopy silicon liquid which you can apply to things like this and it will seal them, in my experience very well. My rear screen was leaking after a rear door repair, Kt was at least as bad as what your photo showed. I had to apply the stuff twice to stop the leak, but its never come back and thats 3 years ago now i think. Im pretty sure it was a Holts product and it came in little can like 3 in 1 oil. It staisn the pintwork where it runs off, but the marks can be removed with car polish easily. The best thing is its quick and cheap.

 

[Buffy500]

Creaking crack cure . Brilliant name, found it on Amazon, thank you @The Panda Nut . Will try and narrow down where it's leaking and will then give that a go. A whole lot cheaper than getting a glass fitter out if it works.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Creaking crack cure . Brilliant name, found it on Amazon, thank you @The Panda Nut . Will try and narrow down where it's leaking and will then give that a go. A whole lot cheaper than getting a glass fitter out if it works.

Dose the top edge of the screen with a trail of the stuff and leaveit to creep it will find the leaks. I have used it many times on different things for years. I really thought my rear screen was going to have to come out, but its totally dry now.
Edit. clean with hose or pressure washer first and apply outside.

 

[Jockstrap]

The panel is the windscreen pillar. If you look for roof liner removal it should include the plastic upright. Eper on here shows the panel and fixings. I don't think you have screws so the panels held by push in clips and the adjacent trim tucked over edges.
The panel needs a good tug from the top to release.

 

[Jockstrap]

70523 2/4 on ePER for a diagram .

 

[Buffy500]

The panel is the windscreen pillar. If you look for roof liner removal it should include the plastic upright. Eper on here shows the panel and fixings. I don't think you have screws so the panels held by push in clips and the adjacent trim tucked over edges.
The panel needs a good tug from the top to release.

Great, thank you