I have a roof leak! (Repaired)

[seasprite]

I used lightning fast stain extractor from the chemical guys with a damp cloth after. A few cycles of this will completely remove the headliner water staining.

I'll keep that in mind. thanks

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[maccee]

Before doing prep on my window trim, I decided to clean and wipe the interior down. While I wiping all the plastic down (with 303 of course) I noticed this.

I'm guessing its the seal on the back window? At least I'm hopping it is, and not the roof seam.

I have an ‘19 XLT and have had a leak for a while coming down the left A-pillar on to the floor. The last downpour my son in the back says his leg just got wet. It was from the right B-pillar. Got up and looked to see if I could find anything and noticed cracks at the roof seam at the back. Disappointed no end.

 

[seasprite]

Well now that I'm done dealing with the trim and ground squirrels its time to get back to my leak.
I like to try to diagnose my issues before taking in to the dealer. Was going through the service manual that showed up here awhile back and found this.


501-00 Body System - General Information 2019 Ranger
Diagnosis and Testing Procedure revision date: 05/4/2018
Body System
Symptom Chart(s)
Diagnostics in this manual assume a certain skill level and knowledge of Ford-specific diagnostic practices.
REFER to: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).
Dust and Water Leaks
Most dust and water leaks occur due to missing or incorrectly installed body sealer or components. The
source of the leak is detected by:
• pressurizing the vehicle and testing with soapy water.
Locate and tape off the body vents.
Turn the blower motor to HI.
Turn the air recirculation OFF.
Close the windows and doors.
Open the hood and spray soapy water along body seams and grommets. Make sure to test the
areas around the A-pillar at the fender and the hood hinge area.
Check for bubbles.

Has anyone tried this approach to find a water leak and did it work?
I plan on trying it anyway, just wanted to know how others fared.

 

[Msfitoy]

Before doing prep on my window trim, I decided to clean and wipe the interior down. While I wiping all the plastic down (with 303 of course) I noticed this.

I'm guessing its the seal on the back window? At least I'm hopping it is, and not the roof seam.

It also could be coming from the CHMSL...I had replaced mine with an aftermarket unit and it didn't seal very well...same result...

 

[seasprite]

I have an ‘19 XLT and have had a leak for a while coming down the left A-pillar on to the floor. The last downpour my son in the back says his leg just got wet. It was from the right B-pillar. Got up and looked to see if I could find anything and noticed cracks at the roof seam at the back. Disappointed no end.

You can try the test I just posted to confirm the crack is your leak (probably is ) and post your results here. I'm going to try to do the test this weekend and I'll post my results when I get them.

 

[seasprite]

It also could be coming from the CHMSL...I had replaced mine with an aftermarket unit and it didn't seal very well...same result...

CHMSL... ?

 

[RangerBill]

CHMSL... ?

Center High Mounted Stop Light

 

[airline tech]

Well now that I'm done dealing with the trim and ground squirrels its time to get back to my leak.
I like to try to diagnose my issues before taking in to the dealer. Was going through the service manual that showed up here awhile back and found this.


501-00 Body System - General Information 2019 Ranger
Diagnosis and Testing Procedure revision date: 05/4/2018
Body System
Symptom Chart(s)
Diagnostics in this manual assume a certain skill level and knowledge of Ford-specific diagnostic practices.
REFER to: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).
Dust and Water Leaks
Most dust and water leaks occur due to missing or incorrectly installed body sealer or components. The
source of the leak is detected by:
• pressurizing the vehicle and testing with soapy water.
Locate and tape off the body vents.
Turn the blower motor to HI.
Turn the air recirculation OFF.
Close the windows and doors.
Open the hood and spray soapy water along body seams and grommets. Make sure to test the
areas around the A-pillar at the fender and the hood hinge area.
Check for bubbles.

Has anyone tried this approach to find a water leak and did it work?
I plan on trying it anyway, just wanted to know how others fared.

I have used this type of test in the past on other vehicles. however used my smoke machine vs soapy water.
It truly depends on how much pressure you can actually get built up in the interior.
It does work, but it is vehicle dependent and results may vary.
The smoke test does work better - BUT you must be in a garage with zero to minimal air movement to see the (smoke) air disruption

 

[airline tech]

I have an ‘19 XLT and have had a leak for a while coming down the left A-pillar on to the floor. The last downpour my son in the back says his leg just got wet. It was from the right B-pillar. Got up and looked to see if I could find anything and noticed cracks at the roof seam at the back. Disappointed no end.

If it is leaking from here then the rain water is most likely dripping off of the rear attach stud under the headliner.
The manual just states remove and clean mating surface and reinstall, so it is missing details on sealing as there is no mention of any seals or adhesive for the install.
I have not had one of these off but when looking at mine - the seal you have damaged does not appear to be a actual (water seal)
I think the actual water seal is some adhesive sealer that is installed under the mount points and around the protruding stud that enters the cab roof.

The damaged seal (APPEARS) to be only a aerodynamic seal when airflow is rushing across the top of the trim - the rainwater along the sides of the trim is pushed back and the seal creates a aerodynamic path for the rainwater to be forced to drop down the back of the cab vs just pushing it off the end (edge)

IDK - just my theory as to why there is not a full length seal along the edge's of the roof moldings and the only visible seal is on those end caps.
So if this is the case and true then a damaged seal on the end caps (May) allow the rainwater to back pool enough that it sits around the stud long enough for it to drip down the stud.
So the seal is actually blocking the water flow from draining off properly.

Note: The Roof Molding is also known as a Drip Molding

If you get a flashlight and look down the edge of the molding at the front and rear - you can see the mounting blocks under the molding

Via Ebay - showing the end piece and a rubber gasket / seal, the end piece cannot be purchased separately - it comes as an assembly (expensive assembly)
I think this gasket also serves as a vibration absorption to help stop it from fluttering on the end and creating a buzzing noise.

And this shows what's under that end cap - Gasket / Seal, so if I am correct in my THEORY that the seal if damaged will block the normal water flow and back it up in the recess creating a pool of water - from there it seeps down the mounting studs.

 

[seasprite]

Nice find airline tech, I'll keep that area in mind when I do my test.

 

[seasprite]

I did my positive pressure test this morning and nothing showed up. Sprayed soapy water around the 3rd brake light, shark fin antenna, rear glass and the trim piece in the gutter. No bubbles. I know I had good pressure because you could hear the air squeezing by the door handles and seals. And my head liner remained dry through the rinsing of the soap.

So now I'm questioning if I did get to close with the pressure washer and the water squeezed by a seal without damage?
Going to keep an eye on it for now and see if my head liner gets wet the next time wash the truck. We are suppose to have a chance of rain coming up tomorrow I think.

 

[seasprite]

Still have the warranty ?

I do, but I don't want to go without my truck for a day and then pay diag or the detectable when the dealer says they couldn't locate it. When my truck goes down for a repair I can't afford to chase a problem that may cost me a days pay if the wife needs her car for the day. Besides I used to do most of my own work on my vehicles and enjoyed it. The way the tech is these days just seems like a requirement to get an extended warranty.

 

[seasprite]

Just a little update:
We had a nice down pour today about 20min worth of rain. Went out and checked the headliner and bone dry.
I'll continue to check the headliner for little while longer, especially when I use the pressure washer.
I'll update one more time after I wash the truck. And if no more signs of leakage I'll try that lightning stain remover and see how it works.
Might start a different thread in the detail section when I do that.

 

[seasprite]

Well I washed the truck yesterday with the pressure washer and my leak showed back up. I paid attention to how far I was holding the wand from the truck and it was 18" to 20" on average from the truck. I did spend a lot of time with the sprayer on the gutter to get all the soap out, and still wondering if this is my problem area.
When I did a pre rinse to get off any large pieces of grit and dirt I checked the headliner and it was dry. But after wash and rinse it was done it was there.

So I want to drop the headliner part way to see if I can find the source of the leak.
Does anyone know if you can pull down just a rear corner of the headliner without taking the whole thing down?
A step by step from a shop manual would be nice?
Thanks for the help 5g crew.

 

[AzScorpion]

Well I washed the truck yesterday with the pressure washer and my leak showed back up. I paid attention to how far I was holding the wand from the truck and it was 18" to 20" on average from the truck. I did spend a lot of time with the sprayer on the gutter to get all the soap out, and still wondering if this is my problem area.
When I did a pre rinse to get off any large pieces of grit and dirt I checked the headliner and it was dry. But after wash and rinse it was done it was there.

So I want to drop the headliner part way to see if I can find the source of the leak.
Does anyone know if you can pull down just a rear corner of the headliner without taking the whole thing down?
A step by step from a shop manual would be nice?
Thanks for the help 5g crew.

That's strange because I've always foamed and power washed both my rangers and never had this problem. There has to be a fail point somewhere in that channel because like you I rinse that area a solid 4-5 times until the soap stops running out from there and have never had any leaks. I try to stay a minimum of 12'' - 18" from the body when rinsing so we're both within the same distance.

Next time you rinse those channels out try using a garden hose (instead of the power washer) to see if it's the pressure from the washer. If it still leaks with a garden hose then maybe a gasket might have failed and is causing the leak. Good luck!

Either I'm lucky or it must be all the 303 Graphene I use on my trucks.

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