Disco 2 Leaky windscreen or sunroof?

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john snoo

Well-Known Member
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613
Location
uk
My 04 D2 doesn't appear to have ever leaked from the sunroofs, which was a good sign when I bought her. I got in today, my son in the front passenger seat. He pulled down the sun visor and a few drips of water ran down it. Definitely not condensation and it rained the night before. Trying to guess where to attack first, I know the sunroof is a known vulnerability but its dry around that so I am wondering if there's another spot famous for leaking?
 
Check the seals around the very end of the rain gutter. That’s where mine leaked. And also the sealant around the top of the windscreen

the attached might help
 

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Thanks for that. I just looked and one end looks a bit manky so that probably needs a clean out. Not too easy to follow that document but will see if some sealant will help. Need to find some black sealant as I only have some white Stixall and that won't look too cool at the drag strip :D
 
Thanks for that. I just looked and one end looks a bit manky so that probably needs a clean out. Not too easy to follow that document but will see if some sealant will help. Need to find some black sealant as I only have some white Stixall and that won't look too cool at the drag strip :D
Get a bottle of this stuff - works wonders

Captain Tolley’s Creeping Crack Cure (leak/crack sealer) 60ml Amazon product
 
Get a bottle of this stuff - works wonders

Captain Tolley’s Creeping Crack Cure (leak/crack sealer) 60ml Amazon product


Wow i have never heard of that stuff! I regularly use CT1, Sticks Like **** and Stixall for farmy type leaks/repairs, but always wanted something better for fine cracks and stuff like that. Stick Like **** clear is used all over here, and works wonders. But this is a different beast and ideal for this sort of task. Thanks very much!
 
Check the seals around the very end of the rain gutter. That’s where mine leaked. And also the sealant around the top of the windscreen

the attached might help
Hi, was it parked on a flat/level surface ? If so I would suspect, blocked drain tubes from sunroof tray, broken plastic trough where the drain tubes fit to the sunroof tray or the seal between the sunroof & body. Roof bar gasket leaks tend to run down & come out at gutter level which causes staining in the corners by the top of the A pillars & above the doors. The mastic stuff in the gutters shrinks/cracks over time but again it tends to stain lower down. The seal at the top of the windscreen is another weak point which is easy to do by easing it up, put the nozzle of a mastic tube under it & run a bead of sealant along it's length.
I still have my roof lining out (just been re-covered) as I had to re-seal the front sunroof to body (my troughs & drain tubes were ok). The water coming in had seized the s/roof motor solid:mad:. My rear sunroof drain tubes were blocked but whilst I was there I also removed the rear s/roof & re-sealed that, which I'm glad I did as the seal on that was perished. Again whilst I was there I renewed the r/bar gaskets which is a bit more of a pain if you have rear air con as the ducting covers the rear roof bar fixing & is riveted in place so the rivets need drilling out:rolleyes:. If you need any pictures please ask although I did post a few originally as have many others.
If it was parked on a slope it might change trying to track down the entry point(s), best of luck & please let us know what you find:).
I used Sikaflex 221 for all my bits & one tube was enough.
 
Thanks Andy, very interesting. I don't follow completely, not sure if you're working inside or outside the car. I really dreaded the day the sunroof leaked as I have no clue how to attack that!
The car was on dead level. Dry for two weeks then one day of rain. The front passenger sun visor has that plastic frame/pocket above it, the roof lining in there is slightly damp but only towards the windscreen at the far end, and only a few drips came out. I looked at the two top corners of the A Pillar outside and the driver's side looks better than passenger side, which is hard to describe but basically it peeled back easier and looks like there's a hole where the rubber goes that I could shove some good stuff into!
 
It gets curiosier! Just driving down the road, lifted driver's sun visor and saw this ugly picture. DAMMIT! My roof lining wasn't bad at all compared to many! It doesn't feel damp but it does suggest the leak issue may be real!
Anyone got any tips for sticking this back up without making a mess? I tried once in a previous Disco and I used a bit of spray carpet glue, but it was bloody horrible and i made it look way worse! Any insider tips?! :)

IMG-20210511-144758.jpg
 
Thanks Andy, very interesting. I don't follow completely, not sure if you're working inside or outside the car. I really dreaded the day the sunroof leaked as I have no clue how to attack that!
The car was on dead level. Dry for two weeks then one day of rain. The front passenger sun visor has that plastic frame/pocket above it, the roof lining in there is slightly damp but only towards the windscreen at the far end, and only a few drips came out. I looked at the two top corners of the A Pillar outside and the driver's side looks better than passenger side, which is hard to describe but basically it peeled back easier and looks like there's a hole where the rubber goes that I could shove some good stuff into!
One option is to wait for it to dry out then strategically “water” it!! If you pour water over the sunroof and check, then windscreen top & check, then roof gutters - you get the idea!!

you’ll have a wet car again but at least you’ll know where the leak is from
 
It gets curiosier! Just driving down the road, lifted driver's sun visor and saw this ugly picture. DAMMIT! My roof lining wasn't bad at all compared to many! It doesn't feel damp but it does suggest the leak issue may be real!
Anyone got any tips for sticking this back up without making a mess? I tried once in a previous Disco and I used a bit of spray carpet glue, but it was bloody horrible and i made it look way worse! Any insider tips?! :)

IMG-20210511-144758.jpg
I’d wait till you id the leak as you may be taking it all out anyway!!

It’ll seem like a bugger of a job - till something more challenging comes up!!

good luck
 
the roof lining in there is slightly damp but only towards the windscreen at the far end,

That is where it gets wet when the sunroof leaks as it runs forward into the channel so the fact it is dry roundthe sunroof doesn't rule it out i'm afraid. The headlining has to come out to guarantee finding/curing a leak I'm afraid. Don't worry it becomes a doddle after the 3rd or 4th time! :)
 
One option is to wait for it to dry out then strategically “water” it!! If you pour water over the sunroof and check, then windscreen top & check, then roof gutters - you get the idea!!

you’ll have a wet car again but at least you’ll know where the leak is from
Thanks, but I think it would take a long time to see any water inside, as there is no visible leak, it looks like moisture/water build up which eventually dripped, so i dont think I can easily spray and check!
 
I really don't fancy ripping it out, but looks like it will eventually need doing. trying to find a bloody minute for anything lately is a nightmare, but this looks a fiddly basterd of a job! I will have to look for some guides, hopefully there are some, or videos on screwtube
 
I really don't fancy ripping it out, but looks like it will eventually need doing. trying to find a bloody minute for anything lately is a nightmare, but this looks a fiddly basterd of a job! I will have to look for some guides, hopefully there are some, or videos on screwtube
 
Here's some pics of mine during removal which will hopefully help!!
 

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Christ almighty! That's beyond me for now, probably for ever. I think I will just have to stick the cloth back up, any recommendations for a glue which will do the trick?

I think I will have to sadly seal my sunroofs which is a shame. :(
 
Christ almighty! That's beyond me for now, probably for ever. I think I will just have to stick the cloth back up, any recommendations for a glue which will do the trick?

I think I will have to sadly seal my sunroofs which is a shame. :(

Believe it or not, I removed all the fabric and scraped off all the thin foam lining, then painted the headlining base with matt polyurethene floor paint. I know this wouldn't suit everyone but works fine for me. I think I would try a brush on contact type adhesive if sticking the fabric back on as spray stuff would be too messy to use in situ
 
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