Rear Windows Leaking

[bdander]

Hey guys so I did a search and found a ton of information on the rear passenger windows but that is not where I am having my problem. The stationary (I assume cargo windows) are leaking on both sides. I am not sure how to repair them, but I haven't taken the panel off yet because I would like to have a game plan once I do. I would appreciate any help.



Also my sunroof is leaking, but I'm not sure from where. I will randomly get a rain drop and look up to not find any original drop. I have read about using compressed air to blow the drain lines free but I do not have access to an air compressor so I have not tried that yet.

Once again thanks.

-BA

 

[koda2000]

these windows are held in place with nuts around a frame. one of these windows was leaking on my 2000 Mountaineer. once I figured out where the water was getting in, it was a simple matter of tightening up the nuts (which were very loose) with a 10mm wrench. then, no more leak.

you must first take the plastic trim around the window loose. it is not necessary to completely remove it, but you have to get most of the plastic pins out around the window and lift-gate sides. not a difficult fix. probably took me about 20 mins to do one side. the nuts don't have to be real tight, but some blue thread locker would probably be helpful from keeping the nuts from getting loose in the future.

 

[bdander]

Thanks I will do that when I get home but I will likely hold off on the thread locker till I know it's the right fix. Oddly enough its in the same spot on both sides. At least I know it won't be too trivial since it appears to be coming from the middle. Is there a torque spec by chance? I don't want to over tighten it.

 

[koda2000]

Thanks I will do that when I get home but I will likely hold off on the thread locker till I know it's the right fix. Oddly enough its in the same spot on both sides. At least I know it won't be too trivial since it appears to be coming from the middle. Is there a torque spec by chance? I don't want to over tighten it.

no doubt there is a torque spec, but I have no idea what it would be. a few inch lbs... I just snugged mine up. most of them were so loose I could turn them with my fingers. it's a tiny stud in plastic holding glass, so don't go crazy tightening it. that's why I suggested the thread locker. the blue kind isn't glue, it just prevents the nuts from loosening from vibration. there's also a green colored thread locker that you can use after you've tightened a nut.

you can also put black electrical tape across the top of the window (on the outside) as a quick temporary fix.

 

[koda2000]

regarding your sunroof leak... there's a drainage tray that runs around the sunroof opening. the sunroof doesn't really provide the seal. there's a drain in each of the 4 corners of the tray, with hoses attached. you may be able to blow out the hoses if they're clogged, but in order to do this you need to first drop the headliner. you can not get at the hoses from the bottom. the hoses are a push fit on the drainage tray and can sometimes come loose, as they are no clamps. if you do this job, I suggest you glue the tubes back onto the tray, or use wire ties to secure them so they can't leak or come off in the future.

if you don't have compressed air, you can use a drain snake (or something similar) to clear the drain tubes, which run down the "A" and "B" pillars. this might be a better way to go anyway.

 

[bdander]

Is there a simple video or How To to remove the headliner and clear it? If not I can make one do people with the same problem in the future won't have to look far.

-BA

 

[koda2000]

Is there a simple video or How To to remove the headliner and clear it? If not I can make one do people with the same problem in the future won't have to look far.

-BA

i'm not aware of a how-to video. basically you have to remove everything that's attached to the roof to drop the headliner. grab handles, dome lights, visors, overhead consoles/displays, trim moldings, plastic push-pins etc.

 

[bdander]

Okay I'll work on it. Is there any method you can think of about how to get it to stay in place or replacement material? Also the handle up top with the vents (I have an EB) cracked and while I have the broken pieces and could glue it back together I didn't know if they sold a replacement for it or not?

 

[koda2000]

Okay I'll work on it. Is there any method you can think of about how to get it to stay in place or replacement material? Also the handle up top with the vents (I have an EB) cracked and while I have the broken pieces and could glue it back together I didn't know if they sold a replacement for it or not?

i'm not sure what you are referring to by "handle over the vents" but the salvage yard would be the place to try to find a replacement.

 

[bdander]

The handle for the sunroof on the standard explorers is just a handle. With the one on mine it has 2 vents on either side of the handle for the sunroof so that if you open it to vent it will allow air to more readily pass through.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

I had one of the drain tubes fall off on my '96. I pushed it back on and gorilla taped it. I was planning on pulling down the entire liner to fix a bad found on one of my dome lights, but what I wanted to do was use some of this worm style clamps on the drain tubes for the sun roof, just so it doesn't rain in my truck again… is this overkill maybe?

 

[koda2000]

I had one of the drain tubes fall off on my '96. I pushed it back on and gorilla taped it. I was planning on pulling down the entire liner to fix a bad found on one of my dome lights, but what I wanted to do was use some of this worm style clamps on the drain tubes for the sun roof, just so it doesn't rain in my truck again… is this overkill maybe?

if I was going through the trouble of dropping the headliner, i'd do whatever seemed like the most permanent fix to stop the drain lines from leaking and/or coming off again.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

if I was going through the trouble of dropping the headliner, i'd do whatever seemed like the most permanent fix to stop the drain lines from leaking and/or coming off again.

Understandable, but it seems that glueing them is a bit extreme. What if I need to take it apart in the future? What sort of wire clamps did you mention above?

 

[koda2000]

Understandable, but it seems that glueing them is a bit extreme. What if I need to take it apart in the future? What sort of wire clamps did you mention above?

maybe "glue" is too strong a term. using a sealant would allow you to remove the hose in the future and peel of the old sealant without damage. if there's room, a worm style hose clamp is what I was referring to, or even a plastic wire-tie should be sufficient.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

maybe "glue" is too strong a term. using a sealant would allow you to remove the hose in the future and peel of the old sealant without damage. if there's room, a worm style hose clamp is what I was referring to, or even a plastic wire-tie should be sufficient.

Makes more sense now. So many terms for the same thing. I am glad I was on the right track atleast.

 

[bdander]

Fixed the rear window. They were pretty loose and so it didn't take much to make it better.

 

[koda2000]

Fixed the rear window. They were pretty loose and so it didn't take much to make it better.

Great! Now put some thread locker on them (if you haven't already done so) and you should never to deal with it again.

 

[bdander]

I'll be picking some up on my way home from work.

 

[masospaghetti]

I had a rear fixed window leak on one side and tightening the nuts (which were loose) didn't fix the issue. I could just dump water from a container at the top edge of the window and it would drip right through.

The correct fix would be to get a new window gasket. What I did was use some silicone sealer (meant for bathrooms, etc) and apply a layer around the gasket. No issues since.

 

[koda2000]

I had a rear fixed window leak on one side and tightening the nuts (which were loose) didn't fix the issue. I could just dump water from a container at the top edge of the window and it would drip right through.

The correct fix would be to get a new window gasket. What I did was use some silicone sealer (meant for bathrooms, etc) and apply a layer around the gasket. No issues since.

well, if tightening the nuts works, why buy a gasket or use silicon. I tightened mine quite a while ago and no more leaks. they were very loose.