Water Leaking In

[egli14]

Hello!
I have a 2010 Ford Explorer XLT (with moonroof). The first time it rained heavily since owning it, water dripped from the passenger side reading light button. Took it into the dealership, they said the moonroof seal needed to be replaced. Replaced it.
Flash forward a couple months later, still leaking from the passenger reading light button and today I noticed that on the passenger side, above the handle, the fabric is wet. It's definitely wet underneath the fabric (on the frame), it's not just leaking in from the passenger window seal.
Is this a windshield issue? A moonroof issue? I'm hesitant to take it back to Ford when they didn't fix the issue the first time.
The attached pictures are of the leak locations. I pulled the reading lights off the ceiling and it's leaking in from the front right corner. Thanks!

 

[Rcflyer330]

From your description of the problem I would guess the drains for the moonroof may be clogged.

 

[egli14]

From your description of the problem I would guess the drains for the moonroof may be clogged.

Is there a way to confirm that or just trial and error?
Totally new to this!

 

[Rcflyer330]

You could try opening the moon roof a pouring some water where the drains are located and checking under the vehicle for said water draining through the drains. If the water is not draining then the drain is clogged.

 

[GeorgeH]

How does water get to the moon roof drain when the moon roof is closed?

In other words, does the moon roof not seal completely when closed?

 

[Rcflyer330]

GeorgeH, from what I understand the seal keeps the majority of the water out but a very small amount does sneek past the seal when its closed.

 

[CDW6212R]

The drains(4) are the first thing to check on, and the easiest to to do. Open the sunroof and carefully put some water in the drain pan, which surrounds the sunroof hole. There are drains at each corner, and water should flow well below each pillar there.

Being clogged is the easiest problem to fix, but the drain hoses may be either disconnected, or leaking at the connection(split hose etc.). The sunroof seal isn't replaceable on most newer models, the outer edge/seal is molded to the glass, and all around, underneath(it's large and not removable).

The older pre-2002 Explorers definitely have an additional leak danger, the seal bonded to the glass will let go with age. About 20 years will do it. Then water gets under the seal with the glass, and works its way inside and drips inboard of where the drain pan is, hitting the headliner. Then it soaks and spreads, dripping from the front corner area of the sunroof opening. Ask me how I know that one, now I have my 98 sunroof covered with RTV along the inner seal edge(top side where seal meets glass).

The last thing that can leak, the large drain pan itself is not one piece. It has a front section, and side pieces with a seam near the front along the side. That seam is sealed with something like seam sealer used for body work. It's soft but hardens with age, and can let go. If that seam leaks, then the water is again landing on the headliner. I thought that was my issue, I cleaned and added RTV over the top of those seams.

Start by checking the drains, and hope that is the issue, because the other possibilities are more trouble.