Sunroof leak

[htobin]

Have people reported problems even if they never open the window?

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[chl]

Not sure how the drains would get clogged unless you were to park leaving the roof open a lot. I’ve owned 5 F-150s including a Raptor and haven’t experienced leaks. If you park in a covered structure and keep the lid closed I don’t see how debris could get into the drain channels. There’s a fairly wide strip of rubber/weather stripping around the top of the glass so I’d be interested to learn how those drain holes get plugged up.

I’ve seen a few YouTube vids on the issue and it seems that if you do a routine maintenance program of clearing the drains and keeping the channels clean it would alleviate these problems. But, I’ve been wrong before and maybe just been incredibly lucky.

As the saying goes, "nature abhors a vacuum" and the corollary "dirt fills the vacuum."

Also you can count on "water seeking it's level" which will be anywhere you don't want it to be.

Pollen grains are rather small and get carried by the wind. Here in my neck of the woods, there is a ton of it that accumulates under vehicle weather stripping somehow, also it becomes crusty when/if it gets wet and then dries so it manages to cover my gutter filter/covers (yes easier to clean them than the gutters but still...). So once they get under the rain roof, er, uh, sun roof they will clog it up pretty easily.

Sand and dust are other wonderful things that the wind can carry far and wide and into small spaces.

There was some kind of insect that loved to crawl up from the drain exit holes and make a cocoon type structure which was very effective at blocking the drain.

Those are just a few of the ways the sun roof drains can become blocked.

And you are right that a regular cleaning (weekly) is a good idea.

My Peugeot guy said use vinegar or bleach but be careful not to get it on things that it could harm or stain.

Like sliding glass door tracks, bathtub drains, gutters, ear canals, etc., regular cleaning is recommended.

 

[Robert1380]

As the saying goes, "nature abhors a vacuum" and the corollary "dirt fills the vacuum."

Also you can count on "water seeking it's level" which will be anywhere you don't want it to be.

Pollen grains are rather small and get carried by the wind. Here in my neck of the woods, there is a ton of it that accumulates under vehicle weather stripping somehow, also it becomes crusty when/if it gets wet and then dries so it manages to cover my gutter filter/covers (yes easier to clean them than the gutters but still...). So once they get under the rain roof, er, uh, sun roof they will clog it up pretty easily.

Sand and dust are other wonderful things that the wind can carry far and wide and into small spaces.

There was some kind of insect that loved to crawl up from the drain exit holes and make a cocoon type structure which was very effective at blocking the drain.

Those are just a few of the ways the sun roof drains can become blocked.

And you are right that a regular cleaning (weekly) is a good idea.

My Peugeot guy said use vinegar or bleach but be careful not to get it on things that it could harm or stain.

Like sliding glass door tracks, bathtub drains, gutters, ear canals, etc., regular cleaning is recommended.

Pollen is a hassle to clean off paint unless you’ve done a ceramic coating so if that got inside the drains I could see that being a real problem.

 

[nate002]

One of the specific reasons I did NOT want any trim higher than Flash. Way too many reports of people (not just Ford) having sunroofs leak.

Same.

 

[astrand1]

Wish my wife had not pushed for the Lariat trim with sunroof...most of what I have heard regarding Ford sunroofs is not positive....I love the sunroof...I do not look forward to the problems.

I’ve had 3 fords all with sunroofs. Never a leak. You have to remember most posts are going to be negative. I think the bigger issue is people don’t realize sunroofs do in fact need maintenance. The seals need cleaned and where the rubber meets the body need to be wiped off and the drains need to be cleaned I would say at least once a year. I do all of that stuff plus I try to be aware of where I park. When not at home and in garage I don’t park under trees etc. I don’t leave the roof open if I’m not driving so that less chance of shit getting into the channels and clogging drains. These little things unless the roof is out of alignment will keep it from leaking into the truck.

 

[sotek2345]

Well, got my truck back from the dealer yesterday. Had a rain storm today and the floor is wet again in the same spot. Guess I will be calling them again on Monday!

 

[Robert1380]

Well, got my truck back from the dealer yesterday. Had a rain storm today and the floor is wet again in the same spot. Guess I will be calling them again on Monday!

That blows man! Sorry to hear it.

 

[rdr854]

Anyone else having a sunroof leak? Mine leaks when parked with the front facing down a hill. Water leaks from the controls area down to the wireless charger when I start driving.

I have the extended warranty and the dealer told me it is a maintenance thing and wants $300 to adjust the sunroof and blow out the drains. Not covered.

I had a 2012 F150 with the same issue which they could not fix so I said no to the $300 since I am not convinced they can fix it. Thoughts!?!

I had the drains cleared out at the 20K service since it is parked outside. I plan to start having it done annually as part of routine maintenance just to be minimize the potential for a leak.

 

[flyct]

I had the drains cleared out at the 20K service since it is parked outside. I plan to start having it done annually as part of routine maintenance just to be minimize the potential for a leak.

did you clean them out yourself or did you have Service clean them out?

 

[Henry Ford]

I came across someone saying it really started after they went all aluminum, but who knows how true that is.

Sunroofs started leaking shortly after they were invented.

I haven't had a leak in an F150 but I did replace the sunroof track that had failed after the plastic bits became brittle and broke. The newer style track with a bellows that blocks direct sun should mitigate this some.

 

[rdr854]

did you clean them out yourself or did you have Service clean them out?

Dealership service department.

 

[Heliian]

Best course is to actually use the sunroof and maintain the seals.

 

[PA Lightning]

Dealership service department.

did you clean them out yourself or did you have Service clean them out?

If you want to do it yourself, just run string trimmer line through the drain tubes.

A lot of people use compressed air, but you risk the drain tubes disconnecting.

 

[rdr854]

I prefer to have the dealerships do it so that (a) I don't mess it up and (b) the dealership will be on the hook if something goes sideways. Simply put, when an OEM says I did not do what I was supposed to do, I can point out that I did by having it documented on the work order. To me, that is just a little bit of preventative insurance for a nominal cost.

 

[Robert1380]

I had the drains cleared out at the 20K service since it is parked outside. I plan to start having it done annually as part of routine maintenance just to be minimize the potential for a leak.

Did you have it done at the dealer and what did they charge for that?

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