The standard leaking roof

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dag019

Well-Known Member
Posts
6,099
Location
Warwick
Before I get the typical response of download the water ingress manual I already have that and have followed the steps in it which are attached below.

I have the standard defender issue of a leaking rood where water collects in the inner gutter and then spills out when driving onto the dash corner and both the driver and passengers knees. I have had this previously (about 10 years ago) and followed the water ingress manual and sealed all of the seams and gutters with silicone which "solved" 90% of the problem and was then acceptable for how waterproof a land rover really is. After being on fire and then laid up for 18months being rebuilt the problem has come back and is the worst it has ever been. At this point I am only interested in the roof (there are other leaks) but the roof is the worst and it must be the roof rather than anywhere else as the water collects in the inner roof gutter where it bolts to the sides. The water ingress is considerably worse when parked facing uphill, unfortunately this is how my driveway is and parking the other way around is not feasible. There is no noticeable ingress when driving. The amount of water inside has potentially increased (although no way to actually measure) since I resealed the external gutters!

1695984459607.png
The above was done with silicone about 8 years ago and still looks to be in good condition and has been over painted since then.

1695984510795.png
The above roof seam was done with silicone about 8 years ago and still looks to be in good condition and has been over painted since then. the above gutter portion was done with silicone about 8 years ago and I have just removed it all and resealed with tiger seal

1695984569211.png

The above was done with silicone about 8 years ago and I have just removed it all and resealed with tiger seal

1695984633986.png

The above was done with silicone about 8 years ago and still looks to be in good condition but is easy to remove and replace so I plan on doing this and resealing with tiger seal

1695984823983.png
The above is not relevant as I have a hardtop roof that doe snot have alpine windows.

If it is relevant my roof inside is covered with alu-butyl sound proofing and then a roof lining. I know one of the regular things to check is about condensation but that is not the issue in this instance as it only happens after rain, the amount of water is far too large for condensations and although the temperature has dropped we are still in summer time.

Other than removing all of the old sealant and starting again does anyone have any other suggestions for things I may have missed. Particularly the worse when facing uphill aspect of it?

I am realistic and am not expecting perfectly waterproof (I have been driving land rovers long enough to know better), there are lots of other places that have gaps and I know are an issue and are on the list but the roof is the worst one and most importantly is the one that upsets the wife the most!
 
Before I get the typical response of download the water ingress manual I already have that and have followed the steps in it which are attached below.

I have the standard defender issue of a leaking rood where water collects in the inner gutter and then spills out when driving onto the dash corner and both the driver and passengers knees. I have had this previously (about 10 years ago) and followed the water ingress manual and sealed all of the seams and gutters with silicone which "solved" 90% of the problem and was then acceptable for how waterproof a land rover really is. After being on fire and then laid up for 18months being rebuilt the problem has come back and is the worst it has ever been. At this point I am only interested in the roof (there are other leaks) but the roof is the worst and it must be the roof rather than anywhere else as the water collects in the inner roof gutter where it bolts to the sides. The water ingress is considerably worse when parked facing uphill, unfortunately this is how my driveway is and parking the other way around is not feasible. There is no noticeable ingress when driving. The amount of water inside has potentially increased (although no way to actually measure) since I resealed the external gutters!

View attachment 298943
The above was done with silicone about 8 years ago and still looks to be in good condition and has been over painted since then.

View attachment 298944
The above roof seam was done with silicone about 8 years ago and still looks to be in good condition and has been over painted since then. the above gutter portion was done with silicone about 8 years ago and I have just removed it all and resealed with tiger seal

View attachment 298945

The above was done with silicone about 8 years ago and I have just removed it all and resealed with tiger seal

View attachment 298946

The above was done with silicone about 8 years ago and still looks to be in good condition but is easy to remove and replace so I plan on doing this and resealing with tiger seal

View attachment 298947
The above is not relevant as I have a hardtop roof that doe snot have alpine windows.

If it is relevant my roof inside is covered with alu-butyl sound proofing and then a roof lining. I know one of the regular things to check is about condensation but that is not the issue in this instance as it only happens after rain, the amount of water is far too large for condensations and although the temperature has dropped we are still in summer time.

Other than removing all of the old sealant and starting again does anyone have any other suggestions for things I may have missed. Particularly the worse when facing uphill aspect of it?

I am realistic and am not expecting perfectly waterproof (I have been driving land rovers long enough to know better), there are lots of other places that have gaps and I know are an issue and are on the list but the roof is the worst one and most importantly is the one that upsets the wife the most!
Hello, my 2001 td5 90 has the same problem, i also have to park on my drive with vehicle facing uphill, after rain, as soon as i drive downhill, water drips over the door seal on both driver and passenger side. I have sealed sunroof with ductape, sealed all gutters and roof joints, fitted new door seals x2, used capt. jollies on all seals and it still leaks. Please please, if you find the source of the leak do contact me, winters coming and i`m running out of towels!!!
 
Hello, my 2001 td5 90 has the same problem, i also have to park on my drive with vehicle facing uphill, after rain, as soon as i drive downhill, water drips over the door seal on both driver and passenger side. I have sealed sunroof with ductape, sealed all gutters and roof joints, fitted new door seals x2, used capt. jollies on all seals and it still leaks. Please please, if you find the source of the leak do contact me, winters coming and i`m running out of towels!!!
I have not solved it yet but plan on going over the roof joints again and then the rest of the roof with the crack cure noted above. I am realistic and not expecting it perfect but a couple of drips rather than a waterfall would be nice.
 
With regards to creeping crack, only use a little at a time and let it dry before giving it another dose.
Use to much it will run out the other end and stain whatever it comes into contact with, don't ask me how I know!
 
With regards to creeping crack, only use a little at a time and let it dry before giving it another dose.
Use to much it will run out the other end and stain whatever it comes into contact with, don't ask me how I know!
I haven't got around to buying and using it yet. Do you need to know where the crack is or can you just "paint" it on every seam/joint and it will find the cracks?
 
I haven't got around to buying and using it yet. Do you need to know where the crack is or can you just "paint" it on every seam/joint and it will find the cracks?
You pour it on where you think the crack is, looks like a wstererd down pva glue to me.
I used it behind a windscreen rubber, it all leaked out and down the side of the dashboard, didn't stop the leak.
 
You pour it on where you think the crack is, looks like a wstererd down pva glue to me.
I used it behind a windscreen rubber, it all leaked out and down the side of the dashboard, didn't stop the leak.

As @Anaconda says its a watery PVA like solution, comes in a squeezy bottle. You drip it on and watch where it goes/
A little at a time to fill up the cracks giving it chance to conjeal, pouring it in won't help.
Well form that it sounds like I need to know where the leak is first of all which currently I don't and I have already resealed the gutters as the first port of call. Some more investigation will be required
 
Oh dear if it’s any consolation I’m taking my old 2008 Volvo V70 estate for a new windscreen on Monday. Been perfect in all regards apart from a leak from the centre top of the screen. I only ever park uphill or it’s so bad I’ll end up with 25mm of water in the rear nearside footwell. Turns out factory robot issue lack of primer on certain models before sealant applied and years later there’s nothing sealing or holding the screen in along the top,

My 96 defender 90 van roof and front screen are coming out and back in soon so if I find any weak spots that would cause your symptoms I’ll repost.

Discover Mk2 sunroof leak - been there done that one. Good old Landy’s.
 
I do wonder how many Land Rover leaks are actually condensation? After all there aren't many joints above the gutter.
The section joints on the roof, rivets, gutter, roof to windscreen panel, roof to side panels to name a few, they can all let water in which tracks down and comes in elsewhere.
Mine is condensation on the top edge of the windscreen and rear view mirror.
Don't get condensation in the summer.
 
I have not solved it yet but plan on going over the roof joints again and then the rest of the roof with the crack cure noted above. I am realistic and not expecting it perfect but a couple of drips rather than a waterfall would be nice.

Check the read door seal for damage and /or bad fit, wind driven rain is a bugger
 
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