Sunroof Leaks

peterweston · Post by **peterweston** » Thu May 31, 2007 13:28

Hi guys

Has anyone had any luck getting replacement seals for the stupid (IMHO) factory fitted (I assume) sunroof that spoils the roof of the car.

Redexcel · Post by **Redexcel** » Thu May 31, 2007 13:50

peterweston wrote:Hi guys

Has anyone had any luck getting replacement seals for the stupid (IMHO) factory fitted (I assume) sunroof that spoils the roof of the car.

Don't think the factory ever offered a sunroof as an option.
Yours is probably an aftermarket jobbie.

malcolm · Post by **malcolm** » Thu May 31, 2007 16:14

Ive also got a leaky after market sunroof. One of the guys on the forum has a very nice webasto electric tilt and slide sunroof on his. I think its one of the guys from Australia. Ive asked the price over here and its in the £400 to £500 bracket and they wont let you fit it yourself. I may well go down that route when Ive saved up the pennys!! Guess it was fitted as mine doesnt have aircon. Not that ive found it a problem.
Just found the link its Robert Verheys excel.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~robert. ... llery.html

Skeggy · Post by **Skeggy** » Thu May 31, 2007 17:05

Peter,

Woolies is probably your bet bet for new a rubber seal.

http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/

Steve

terry · Post by **terry** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 10:19

This may be urban myth, but I've been told that the hole reqiured for an aftermarket sunroof flexes the roof panel, and makes the windscreen leak!!!!!

Terry

malcolm · Post by **malcolm** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 10:32

No screen leak in mine, just the bloody sunroof!!!!
I would have thought if it reduced the shell strength that much you would see stress fractures in the roof pannel. Perhaps if it was a huge slide back fabric webasto job but I doubt it on a small front one. But im not an engineer so I could be talking a load of tosh!!

robertverhey · Post by **robertverhey** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 10:58

Interesting aside.....when I had my sunroof fitted it leaked at first. Much head scratching at Webasto when I took it back till they figured out that the fibreglass was thicker and less flexible than steel. The sunroof frame had cracked when they tightened it down. It usually pulls the steel into its preferred profile. So that roof is pretty strong! Putting in some spacers and using a bit of sealant did the trick, but I pity the next Lotus owner who approached them for a quote.....

I have noticed 3 longitudinal cracks in the roof at the top of my rear screen, about one cm long, from the rear edge forward. Is this common? Or does it bear out the sunroof theory?

Robert

micha · Post by **micha** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 14:35

sunroofs, sunroofs, sunroofs......it seams that in the UK there must be a sunroof-factory on every corner....lol.

why people bungle their cars by fitting a sunroof? (and reduce the value of the car)

do they maybe fit a sunroof to avoid replacing a new headliner when it has dropped down?

depends on the condition of the car i would consider to remove the sunroof and bring the car back to its original shape.

dpr59 · Post by **dpr59** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 17:56

micha wrote: do they maybe fit a sunroof to avoid replacing a new headliner when it has dropped down?

depends on the condition of the car i would consider to remove the sunroof and bring the car back to its original shape.

Now you mention it. Actually, I've been wondering what another sun roof in the back would look like. It would resolve a slightly sagging headlining.

malcolm · Post by **malcolm** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 18:28

I guess the PO who fitted it to mine wanted more ventilation in the summer as it has no aircon

micha · Post by **micha** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 21:54

...and so you´ll get even more refreshing when its raining:

raindrops will difuse through a leaking seal and drop down your neck....lol...thats a good issue to keep the drivers awake during long-distance travels on motorways!!!

and even better in the morning:

you leave your house, still a bit tired with a hangover form last night´s pub-visit. you open the door of your excel (certainly parked outside on your yard...as its made from GRP it cannot rust...), take a seat in a nice, wet-soaked seat...and suddenly: you are AWAKE!!!

better than the best alarm-clock!!!

on the way back from work you dont need to stop at tesco´s for the mushrooms you should buy for your wife to prepare a mushroom-pizza.

no...you are so lucky that the mushrooms grow in your excel!!!!!

and with a double sunroof you will have double-mushrooms...maybe some magic-ones....

robertverhey · Post by **robertverhey** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 04:45

FWIW

We have very few installers in sunny oz. Go figure

Been pelting down for days in sydney. Not a drop inside so far

I kept the cutout panel just in case next owner wants 100 per cent originality. But it won't reduce the value down here

Robert

micha · Post by **micha** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 08:47

no joke: when you drive a sunroof car to a club-meeting here, you earn a lot of laughs and misgiving.

for the value: if the car would normally sell for lets say 5000,-€ - a sunroof-car would be 4000,-€ or less and you´ll need plenty of time and patience to find an interested buyer.

when somebody mounts a "good" quality sunroof, that fits smooth/plain into the body , without sticking out and therefore does not destroy the shape of the car, this is eventually (eventually!!) acceptable.

but fitting such cheap, aftermarket sunroofes, bought at a Do-It-Youself store is a real shame.

robertverhey · Post by **robertverhey** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 09:20

Phew I'm acceptable

The Lotus Grand Tourers

Sunroof Leaks

Sunroof Leaks

Re: Sunroof Leaks