Overcab/sunroof leak!

[Louie25]

In France in our Motorhome and after 21 hours of heavy rain we have a leak. Hard to say where it’s coming from but the whole panel above the windscreen is wet and pooling under the interior light box.
Unsure if it’s the sun roof or maybe where the cab and shell (unsure of technical terms!) meet and aren’t sealed?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[Gellyneck]

First thing I would check is the seal along the top of the windscreen particularly at the vertical seams shown in your photo #3.

Perhaps a temporary application of duct tape (or similar) across the top seal and see if it cures it. Difficult to tell until it's dried out though.

 

[RedFrame]

Difficult to pinpoint issue with photos provided but my first concern would be lack of sealant between the original cab and the Coachbuilt roof, I've never seen that before, I suppose it depends on direction and strength of precipitation as water "almost" always runs downhill.

Your other option as you say is overcab window.

Have you ever driven in heavy rain in that van?

Only further investigation would tell...

Cheers
Red.

 

[Phill D]

I agree with the points raised so far.
I was surprised at the lack of sealant between the can and the overhang.
Duct tape as a temporary test is a good start.

 

[Lyrick]

A few reports , on the Pilote Owners group on Facebook , of water coming in through the skydome ( fixed skylight on the front of the cab) Only permanent solution is removal of skydome to reseal , duck tape might work as a temporary fix.

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[Gellyneck]

Just noticed your second photo.
Is that of the headlining above the drivers (assuming rhd) head? If so, definitely check the vertical seam shown in photo #3 as the sealant sometimes fails at the bottom of this where it meets the rubber windscreen seal.

 

[Louie25]

Difficult to pinpoint issue with photos provided but my first concern would be lack of sealant between the original cab and the Coachbuilt roof, I've never seen that before, I suppose it depends on direction and strength of precipitation as water "almost" always runs downhill.

Your other option as you say is overcab window.

Have you ever driven in heavy rain in that van?

Only further investigation would tell...

Cheers
Red.

The van is quite new to us so don’t have a lot of experience in it to say about the driving in rain aspect.
We did have a look at the Adria next door to us and noticed that their cab is sealed to the coachbuilt roof.
Probably only a job we will only be able to fully investigate when we get home.
Thanks for the replies all

 

[Louie25]

A few reports , on the Pilote Owners group on Facebook , of water coming in through the skydome ( fixed skylight on the front of the cab) Only permanent solution is removal of skydome to reseal , duck tape might work as a temporary fix.

That sounds like quite a job!! But I’m more inclined to suspect the skydome rather than the windscreen.
Thanks for the advice

 

[PP Bear]

Wow, as above. My first thoughts were the window over the cab. Not sure if it’s fixed or it can be opened, but if possible, open, dry the rubber seal with kitchen towel or paper and clean underside of window. Lube the rubber if you can, a smear of vaseline would do it and close.

I’m quite shocked at the finish of the overcab to body, theres a huge gap there, so would be easy to think it would leak. The area in the top corner of the door, is particularly alarming. As mentioned, lots of tape to seal it up.

Really sorry and hope it gets sorted asap and no lasting damage, apart from the brown staining.

 

[TheBig1]

I would lay odds that it's the curved sunroof leaking as it's a regular point of failure. The only sure way to stop it is to seal it shut with a good bead of sikaflex round the outside. The top of the screen needs sealing too

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[Gellyneck]

That sounds like quite a job!! But I’m more inclined to suspect the skydome rather than the windscreen.
Thanks for the advice

I would lay odds that it's the curved sunroof leaking as it's a regular point of failure. The only sure way to stop it is to seal it shut with a good bead of sikaflex round the outside. The top of the screen needs sealing too

I would still try covering the seam above the windscreen. Easy and cheap "fix" and it'll let you discount this whilst you're travelling home.

 

[Kev and Christa]

First thing I would check is the seal along the top of the windscreen particularly at the vertical seams shown in your photo #3.

Perhaps a temporary application of duct tape (or similar) across the top seal and see if it cures it. Difficult to tell until it's dried out though.

 

[DavidEClarke]

Hi Louie 25

I was googling leaking motorhome sunroof and came across your post. We have a Pilote P650, 2016, purchased in April with 20,000 miles on the clock. We did a big European trip earlier this year. No problems but in the past few weeks we have experienced a leaking sunroof (what another forum member described as the skydome). I'm 95% confident it is a faulty seal. It looks very similar to yours. Could you say what you did? For the moment, whilst it is parked on the drive, I have covered the area with polythene which I hope will keep it dry until either it is fixed or I fix.
Have you or anyone else any recommendations?
Many thanks _ David

 

[Phill D]

Hi Louie 25

I was googling leaking motorhome sunroof and came across your post. We have a Pilote P650, 2016, purchased in April with 20,000 miles on the clock. We did a big European trip earlier this year. No problems but in the past few weeks we have experienced a leaking sunroof (what another forum member described as the skydome). I'm 95% confident it is a faulty seal. It looks very similar to yours. Could you say what you did? For the moment, whilst it is parked on the drive, I have covered the area with polythene which I hope will keep it dry until either it is fixed or I fix.
Have you or anyone else any recommendations?
Many thanks _ David

Hi David if you want to alert a forum member you need to put an @ before their name
Louie25

 

[DavidEClarke]

Hi David if you want to alert a forum member you need to put an @ before their name
Louie25

Thank you Phill D That's good of you to advise. Will do!

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[DavidEClarke]

Hi Louie 25
(Apologies for those following this trail that I have repeated this together with the correct tag).
I was googling leaking motorhome sunroof and came across your post. We have a Pilote P650, 2016, purchased in April with 20,000 miles on the clock. We did a big European trip earlier this year. No problems but in the past few weeks we have experienced a leaking sunroof (what another forum member described as the skydome). I'm 95% confident it is a faulty seal. It looks very similar to yours. Could you say what you did? For the moment, whilst it is parked on the drive, I have covered the area with polythene which I hope will keep it dry until either it is fixed or I fix. (Update - the polythene sheet is working but not very practical long term!)
Have you or anyone else any recommendations?
Many thanks _ David

 

[Louie25]

Hi Louie 25
(Apologies for those following this trail that I have repeated this together with the correct tag).
I was googling leaking motorhome sunroof and came across your post. We have a Pilote P650, 2016, purchased in April with 20,000 miles on the clock. We did a big European trip earlier this year. No problems but in the past few weeks we have experienced a leaking sunroof (what another forum member described as the skydome). I'm 95% confident it is a faulty seal. It looks very similar to yours. Could you say what you did? For the moment, whilst it is parked on the drive, I have covered the area with polythene which I hope will keep it dry until either it is fixed or I fix. (Update - the polythene sheet is working but not very practical long term!)
Have you or anyone else any recommendations?
Many thanks _ David

Hi DavidEClarke
Sadly I don’t have any worthwhile advice for you…we did a temporary seal and then sold it on (not because of the leak I hasten to add!).

Not much help to you, good luck with the repair

 

[DavidEClarke]

Thank you Louie25 That's good of you to let me know. I'm tempted to try a repair myself once it is dry - might need to get a hairdryer on it!

Thank you again. David

 

[Itsmcb]

Does the glazed part of the sunroof open or unclip? You could try using a rubber lubricant such as Gummi Pfledge on the rubber sealing strip. These dry over time and shrink allowing the water to pass. My daughter's car was allowing water into the boot but a couple of applications made the rubber swell back to its original size and flexibility and the leak was cured.

nextzett 91480615 Rubber Care Stick, 100 Ml, White https://amzn.eu/d/d5o2rAo

 

[DavidEClarke]

Does the glazed part of the sunroof open or unclip? You could try using a rubber lubricant such as Gummi Pfledge on the rubber sealing strip. These dry over time and shrink allowing the water to pass. My daughter's car was allowing water into the boot but a couple of applications made the rubber swell back to its original size and flexibility and the leak was cured.

nextzett 91480615 Rubber Care Stick, 100 Ml, White https://amzn.eu/d/d5o2rAo

Thank you for the advice. It's not an opening sunroof but your advice is helpful. We have not had problems before but I wonder if the extreme temperatures we have had - when that part has been in full sun - has distorted the seal. I am going to try a sealant and will report back.

Many thanks.