Headliner Dripping Wet (again) After All Day Rain

wbfcorp · March 19, 2009

Has anyone had issues with this? About 6 months ago, on a rainy day, when I got in my truck after work I noticed the right rear corner of the headliner soaked and water dripping onto the back seat. I took it to the dealer, the service advisor said (without even looking at it) "It's the third brake light leaking, very common." So they replaced the light and no problems after that... until today. Another rainy day and now the LEFT rear corner is soaked, dripping onto seat. I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the sunroof though, cause when I got on the highway above 70 mph, I heard a loud "gurgling" noise coming from the sunroof area. Sounds like water going down a drain. Bummer for a new truck to have this issue, I hate the idea of them ripping out the headliner, possibly breaking clips etc. to fix this problem.

P71_CrownVic · March 19, 2009

Has anyone had issues with this? About 6 months ago, on a rainy day, when I got in my truck after work I noticed the right rear corner of the headliner soaked and water dripping onto the back seat. I took it to the dealer, the service advisor said (without even looking at it) "It's the third brake light leaking, very common." So they replaced the light and no problems after that... until today. Another rainy day and now the LEFT rear corner is soaked, dripping onto seat. I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the sunroof though, cause when I got on the highway above 70 mph, I heard a loud "gurgling" noise coming from the sunroof area. Sounds like water going down a drain. Bummer for a new truck to have this issue, I hate the idea of them ripping out the headliner, possibly breaking clips etc. to fix this problem.

Too bad man...hopefully they can fix it right this time.

BTW...beautiful boat.

Stevens03 · March 19, 2009

Oh man, that sucks. Hope they find it this time.

Steven

txab · March 19, 2009

Someone else just posted about this problem in the last few days. You might search and see if you can find it. I'll see what I can find

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...593&hl=leak

jrrod2004 · March 19, 2009

That is usually the third brake light that is the culprit (seal between the lens and the cab). The other is the rear window may have a very small gap (Usually microscopic) on the seal to cab....

Zembonez · March 19, 2009

I'm betting on a clogged sunroof drain or a loose drain hose.

jrrod2004 · March 19, 2009

oh yea, did they replace the entire headliner? (you didnt mention that in your post)

Wingnut · March 19, 2009

I wouldn't worry about them pulling/replacing the headliner. I've pulled several, and pulled Fred's out twice (putting overhead consoles in).

I'd be 10x more worried about them finding and fixing the root problem.

jrrod2004 · March 19, 2009

I'm betting on a clogged sunroof drain or a loose drain hose.

I still dont know why GM does that...I understand the drainage but they should either take special attention to the factory sunroof or install some screens so that crap cannot get in there as easily. Personally, I like to have the aftermarket one since there is no drainage...just a seal that sits 1-4 millimeters higher than the surrounding sheetmetal...but that is my opinion

wbfcorp · March 19, 2009

When the dealer replaced the brake light on the cab, a headliner was ordered but it took about 2 months to come in. I got the postcard in the mail that it was in, but never took the truck back for it. They were supposed to give me a rental, but to me it wasn't worth the hassle. There were no stains or anything, so I figured "if it ain't broke..." But now I think I'll have them replace it (after the leak is fixed) since it's been wet twice. This truck also has the roof air bags, I wonder if they are damaged as well? As for the cause of the problem, I'm putting my money on a sunroof drain hose issue. My dilema is wheather to take it back to the selling dealer or not. I kind of slammed them on the survey on the last service after they returned the truck with grease all over the interior, then didn't replace the oil filter, then after I complained they installed an aftermarket "Parts Plus" filter.

P71_CrownVic · March 19, 2009

When the dealer replaced the brake light on the cab, a headliner was ordered but it took about 2 months to come in. I got the postcard in the mail that it was in, but never took the truck back for it. They were supposed to give me a rental, but to me it wasn't worth the hassle. There were no stains or anything, so I figured "if it ain't broke..." But now I think I'll have them replace it (after the leak is fixed) since it's been wet twice. This truck also has the roof air bags, I wonder if they are damaged as well? As for the cause of the problem, I'm putting my money on a sunroof drain hose issue. My dilema is wheather to take it back to the selling dealer or not. I kind of slammed them on the survey on the last service after they returned the truck with grease all over the interior, then didn't replace the oil filter, then after I complained they installed an aftermarket "Parts Plus" filter.

I would stay away from them like the plague.

jrrod2004 · March 19, 2009

I would stay away from them like the plague.

+1 billion...I would not return to the dealership if they did that to my truck and I had to call them out on it....

wbfcorp · March 19, 2009

Too bad man...hopefully they can fix it right this time.

BTW...beautiful boat.

Thanks... the boat goes well with the truck, its a 2006 "Tahoe" and has a GM 5.7 V8!

pm26 · March 19, 2009

I'm betting on a clogged sunroof drain or a loose drain hose.

I still dont know why GM does that...I understand the drainage but they should either take special attention to the factory sunroof or install some screens so that crap cannot get in there as easily. Personally, I like to have the aftermarket one since there is no drainage...just a seal that sits 1-4 millimeters higher than the surrounding sheetmetal...but that is my opinion

A properly designed and installed factory power sunroof should not leak. I have several cars with power sunroofs, including several 25 year old Mercedes cars, and none of the sunroofs ever leaked a drop of water.

The problem is most likely in flimsy drain tubes that can easily separate or break, causing water to leak inside the vehicle.

Trav_13 · March 19, 2009

I'm betting on a clogged sunroof drain or a loose drain hose.

I still dont know why GM does that...I understand the drainage but they should either take special attention to the factory sunroof or install some screens so that crap cannot get in there as easily. Personally, I like to have the aftermarket one since there is no drainage...just a seal that sits 1-4 millimeters higher than the surrounding sheetmetal...but that is my opinion

A properly designed and installed factory power sunroof should not leak. I have several cars with power sunroofs, including several 25 year old Mercedes cars, and none of the sunroofs ever leaked a drop of water.

The problem is most likely in flimsy drain tubes that can easily separate or break, causing water to leak inside the vehicle.

I had this problem on my 07....Sunroof Drains Clogged, and like you had mentioned I had the Gurguling Noise also at about 65.....amazingly enough when it got to the dealership they cleaned the drains, but said the didn't seem clogged...I'm thinking that the Gurguling Sound was the drain unclogging itself.....but my Headliner was soaked, and whats worse it ran down the A-Pillar, then proceeded to soak the floor board.....everything on mine was cleaned up just fine, however I pulled the carpet up the other day to find it was damp under there.....make sure that your carpet, and insulation are dry if the water ran down to the floor....

I'd also be concerned about the Side Air Bags, my truck doesn't have them....... but make sure the connections are all checked out etc...I'd really say its not worth a new headliner unless the other is damaged...a new headliner is not an easy install!