ST Panoramic Roof leaking (drains clear)

[Slickric21]

Hi everyone,

Having some issues with a water leak from the rear passenger side corner, leaking into the headliner and down the rear c pillar.

First port of call was obviously the drains, and whilst there was a small bit sludge, there was no water backed up, I’ve removed the sludge with a 2m pipe cleaner (from below, easy access) and the pipes drain well when teste.
For good measure I removed the red caps off the end of the drain plug on the rears.
Fronts I cleaned out from the top with a pipe cleaner, and they seem to drain fine.


However next time it rained, I had the leak again.
Drains are not blocked I’m pretty sure.

I peeled back some headliner and had a look when it was raining.
The water is dripping off a black plastic edge, approx 2 inches away from the drain plug and pipe (Brown pipe and White plug)
I’ve attached a couple of pictures.

These pictures are taken looking into the car from the window between rear passenger door and boot/c-pillar

Any ideas on what could be the problem or how to fix it ???

 

[adam davies]

Hi everyone,

Having some issues with a water leak from the rear passenger side corner, leaking into the headliner and down the rear c pillar.

First port of call was obviously the drains, and whilst there was a small bit sludge, there was no water backed up, I’ve removed the sludge with a 2m pipe cleaner (from below, easy access) and the pipes drain well when teste.
For good measure I removed the red caps off the end of the drain plug on the rears.
Fronts I cleaned out from the top with a pipe cleaner, and they seem to drain fine.


However next time it rained, I had the leak again.
Drains are not blocked I’m pretty sure.

I peeled back some headliner and had a look when it was raining.
The water is dripping off a black plastic edge, approx 2 inches away from the drain plug and pipe (Brown pipe and White plug)
I’ve attached a couple of pictures.

These pictures are taken looking into the car from the window between rear passenger door and boot/c-pillar

Any ideas on what could be the problem or how to fix it ???

Maybe light a few incense sticks in the car and and see if you can see any smoke coming out anywhere, that is only if you are unable to locate the leak by removing parts.

 

[aptchelt]

@Slickric21 did you track down the source of this leak? I have very similar problems on both rear sides. Headliner between panoramic roof and tailgate gets wet, seems to end up rolling down somewhere and dripping into the boot. I have a 2016 Leon ST. Haven't checked the drains yet but the sunroof water channel looks fairly clear. You say the drains are easy to check from underneath. For the rear ones do you need to have the rear of the car lifted? Do you need the wheels removed? The only guide I can see online involves removing boot liner, to get to rear drain plugs from inside the boot. Cheers.

 

[Slickric21]

Yeah mate all fixed.

It was the rubber seal that runs all the way around the sunroof. It wasn’t stuck to the metal properly and was leaking down the back of the seal.

Cost £300 for a sunroof specialist to fix inc the new seal that was £98

 

[aptchelt]

Yeah mate all fixed.

It was the rubber seal that runs all the way around the sunroof. It wasn’t stuck to the metal properly and was leaking down the back of the seal.

Cost £300 for a sunroof specialist to fix inc the new seal that was £98

Cheers for the info, glad you got it sorted!

 

[Slickric21]

@Slickric21 did you track down the source of this leak? I have very similar problems on both rear sides. Headliner between panoramic roof and tailgate gets wet, seems to end up rolling down somewhere and dripping into the boot. I have a 2016 Leon ST. Haven't checked the drains yet but the sunroof water channel looks fairly clear. You say the drains are easy to check from underneath. For the rear ones do you need to have the rear of the car lifted? Do you need the wheels removed? The only guide I can see online involves removing boot liner, to get to rear drain plugs from inside the boot. Cheers.

As for the rear drains, just lay on the floor next to the back wheel and look under the car between your exhaust box and the wheel.
You will see the black drain tube sticking down, it’s got a red cap.

You can unblock this from here by using a long drain unblocker.
I got a 2m one off Amazon, worked a treat to remove lots of gunk, but that wasn’t the culprit.

If your drain tubes are blocked it leaks into the boot.
If your headliner is wet it’s probably the seal like me, or even worse the bonding/joints of the frame are leaking

 

[aptchelt]

As for the rear drains, just lay on the floor next to the back wheel and look under the car between your exhaust box and the wheel.
You will see the black drain tube sticking down, it’s got a red cap.

You can unblock this from here by using a long drain unblocker.
I got a 2m one off Amazon, worked a treat to remove lots of gunk, but that wasn’t the culprit.

If your drain tubes are blocked it leaks into the boot.
If your headliner is wet it’s probably the seal like me, or even worse the bonding/joints of the frame are leaking

Great info, cheers!

 

[joiner1986]

I recently bought a Leon FR and experiencing a wet passenger front footwell. I noticed this. However, I can't see the photos. Does anyone have the manual available with photos

 

[Slickric21]

There’s a guide u can google to unblock your drains, but there is a high chance that your seals or frame is leaking also.
Common issue right across the VAG range

 

[joiner1986]

I was hoping someone could assist with the work guide on the first page of this thread. It’s difficult to understand without photos

 

[Slickric21]

The first page of this thread is my post, there is no work guide mate.
The pictures just show the leaking area.

There is a readily available guide on the internet how to unblock the drains.. HOWEVER it’s even easier than that guide explains.
You can unblock the rears from underneath the car with a long pipe cleaner I got a 2m one but probably 1.5m would do, no need to remove any interior trim.

 

[Gaz9000]

Well, add me to the list of ST owners with a wet footwell. I took 2.5 LITRES out of the passenger side front and rear. The wet vac was actually choking itself like it was underwater while it was pulling it out. Carpets up, sound deadening up, that weird foam-wrapped-around-polystyrene up. The water was swimming in the rails from under the dash, to the rear seat. Roof drains were blocked and I cleaned them out. Re-seated the tubes with a smidgen of LSX on the outside and stuffed/lay paper towels EVERYWHERE.

Still came down the A pillars. I could have cried.

There's no cracks in the frame or anywhere else that I can see - I think it must be the seal around the outside mentioned in here. And for that much water, it must have been letting it in for a while. No wonder it was steaming up if i went for a drive, popped in somewhere for 5 mins and then got back in car. Figured (wrongly!!) it was just the weather, wet feet on me and the kids getting in.

Tell me @Slickric21, what kind of place did the repair for you? All sunroof repairs in the NE England seem to be vehicle glass/windscreen outfits. Sometimes the odd bodyshop. I want the job done right and £300 seems like a good price!

Cheers

 

[Slickric21]

Sorry to hear this buddy.

I live in East Anglia so I just googled sunroof repairs or sunroof specialists and choose the company with the best feedback.
They are actually a windscreen repair company.
Rang them up and the bloke seemed very fair, honest and down to earth so went for it. They actually do all the windscreen repairs/replacements for VW dealers on the area.
I asked if they would be able to fix it and they said they 100% they can.

Car was booked in with a dealer to look and fix at the same time, but I’m sure the bill would have been double If not more and I really liked the knowledge and reassurance that company gave me.

They even came out to look at the car and quote free of charge.

 

[SteveGSXR600K1]

I have read before that ST's can leak from where the roof rails are attached/bolted to the car body.

 

[adambolus]

Sorry to hear this buddy.

I live in East Anglia so I just googled sunroof repairs or sunroof specialists and choose the company with the best feedback.
They are actually a windscreen repair company.
Rang them up and the bloke seemed very fair, honest and down to earth so went for it. They actually do all the windscreen repairs/replacements for VW dealers on the area.
I asked if they would be able to fix it and they said they 100% they can.

Car was booked in with a dealer to look and fix at the same time, but I’m sure the bill would have been double If not more and I really liked the knowledge and reassurance that company gave me.

They even came out to look at the car and quote free of charge.

Sounds like you did well finding a company to fix it,

What was the name of the company, just on the odd chance that i run into this problem in the future i can take it to somewhere that clearly knows what they are doing!

Im in Nottinghamshire so happy to drive to take it somewhere good

 

[Slickric21]

I have read before that ST's can leak from where the roof rails are attached/bolted to the car body.

Yeah this too !!!!

 

[Slickric21]

Sounds like you did well finding a company to fix it,

What was the name of the company, just on the odd chance that i run into this problem in the future i can take it to somewhere that clearly knows what they are doing!

Im in Nottinghamshire so happy to drive to take it somewhere good

Elite Windscreens

 

[Gaz9000]

Yeah this too !!!!

Oh yeah and roof rails - don't get me started on the ever-returning moss that keeps poking out every week. Daren't use anything "moss killer" related for fear itll knack the car paint or brushed alu finish.

 

[Gaz9000]

With regards to the part number for the OEM exterior seal...does this ring any bells?

8R0-877-459-A

Seems like it fits loads in the VW and Audi model range, but states that it's confirmed to fit the Alhambra in the Seat range only.

Guess VW are the masters of re-using parts across all their group? Anyone else reckon I'm on the right lines when I ring Seat dealer tomorrow?

If I can get the new seal, and work up the courage to lift the two panes of glass out, I might just try and DIY this. Refitting the new one looks so easy, all the risk is in the care of the glass and realigning it afterwards. Hmm...

 

[Slickric21]

8R0877459A is indeed the correct part for the Seat leon ST. (It also fits the Audi Q5)

Just as an update to this thread, my sunroof started leaking again in the same place as last year.
After investigation i found that the outer sunroof seal was again coming away from the bodywork, allowing water down the back, again
As it was still under warranty with the repair done by the sunroof company they provided me with a new seal, and as they couldnt fit me in until after the new year i decided to fit it myself !!

It wasnt that hard to replace to be honest and i was able to do a better job that the sunroof company who replaced it last year for me as i was able to take my time and do it properly.
I cleaned off all the old residue of the old seal by hand and the offical VAG cleane, primed the area where the new seal will stick, then installed in using a hear dryer to heat the bodywork and seal up whilst i stuck the new seal down.
Complete success.

Part numbers.
Seal = 8R0877459A
Cleaner = D00940104 (in reality just rubbing alcohol)
Primer = D00920002