Headliner stain…water intrusion?

[TICKLE ZOMBIE]

Rained a lot yesterday in the Carolinas…noticed this morning, rear passenger side (horrible pic I know).

However it’s dry to the touch and the line is dark…most headliner water stain pictures are almost an orange color.

Thoughts?

Sponsored

 

[TheAssuager]

Yes, that is rain water 100%. I had the same issue. Dealership changed out my shark fin, third brake light, then roof bars, and then eventually the rear window.

Most likely it is your third brake light. Check that out. Or, your shark fin antenna is loose. If not either of those, it's more annoying and harder to fix - the roof bars or the rear window seal.

 

[TICKLE ZOMBIE]

Yes, that is rain water 100%. I had the same issue. Dealership changed out my shark fin, third brake light, then roof bars, and then eventually the rear window.

Most likely it is your third brake light. Check that out. Or, your shark fin antenna is loose. If not either of those, it's more annoying and harder to fix - the roof bars or the rear window seal.

How long did the dealership keep the truck? I wonder if this is something I can try and fix myself.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

How long did the dealership keep the truck? I wonder if this is something I can try and fix myself.

• Rear window
  • not unless you got mad skills
  • or work at Safelite
• Roof trim bars and shark fin
  • bigger than you want to tackle
  • requires a headliner drop, IIRC
• Third brake light
  • might be doable from the exterior
  • not 100% sure

 

[TICKLE ZOMBIE]

• Rear window
  • not unless you got mad skills
  • or work at Safelite
• Roof trim bars and shark fin
  • bigger than you want to tackle
  • requires a headliner drop, IIRC
• Third brake light
  • might be doable from the exterior
  • not 100% sure

Good point…
Interesting how the headliner was dry, you think it would be damp?

 

[TheAssuager]

Good point…
Interesting how the headliner was dry, you think it would be damp?

Duke is correct - all are big projects. Dealer kept my truck a few days at a time. Except for when they did the roof bars was about 10 days, as they were waiting on the damn bars to arrive.

I would investigate the 3 brake light first - it's just a few screws. Water gets in and there is a channel that sends it to the corners. It likely felt dry as it's just not that much water. If it is the 3 brake light, the gasket just gets so wet it lets a little in.

 

[TICKLE ZOMBIE]

Duke is correct - all are big projects. Dealer kept my truck a few days at a time. Except for when they did the roof bars was about 10 days, as they were waiting on the damn bars to arrive.

I would investigate the 3 brake light first - it's just a few screws. Water gets in and there is a channel that sends it to the corners. It likely felt dry as it's just not that much water. If it is the 3 brake light, the gasket just gets so wet it lets a little in.

I’ll monitor it for sure. We had a boat load of rain yesterday. I wash my truck weekly just about and water never got in.
I also park downhill and that probably didn’t help things.
I have an appointment for service in a few weeks, but it’s a local shop that I trust. I’ll see what they think then go from there.

 

[TheAssuager]

Good call! Other good news is I was able to clean mine easily with some diluted chemical guys APC. Looks brand new. Good luck man!

 

[TICKLE ZOMBIE]

Good call! Other good news is I was able to clean mine easily with some diluted chemical guys APC. Looks brand new. Good luck man!

Maybe I should just buy an aftermarket third brake light like the morimto one and hope it seals better. ?

 

[Friday yet?]

I also park downhill

Look out plug #4!

 

[TICKLE ZOMBIE]

Look out plug #4!

Actually i check after rain and even after the heavy rains…always BONE DRY in the engine compartment.

Sponsored