So I have an issue and I don't know what is going on. The spot on the headliner is always wet after rain. I don't know where the water comes from. Thought the quarter window was maybe the culprit so replaced it and sealed around it. I doubt that's where the water is actually coming from. Is it coming from the trunk somehow?
is it coming in through those two metal strips that run alongside the roof that can be removed with a credit card? I had those out at one point a few years ago to get them repainted cause they were peeling but forget what it looks like below them.

Any tips would be appreciated. Who could help me with it if I can't figure out? Body shop? Mechanic?
Thanks for any input.

Nick

 

This is my guess. Lift the hatch and check to see that the rubber seal that the wires run through from the lift gate opening is seated properly. If not water will seep through. This has been discussed before.

 

I think the water is coming through the flexible rubber hose between the hatch and the roof.
Wires go through that hose to the electrical components in the hatch. This rubber hose often breaks and leaks water.
There are two hoses , one on each side of the hatch.

 

Wow great point. How can that be fixed? What do I need to do? Thanks for that input guys. The location would make a lot of sense.

​​​​​I Wonder if this could also be the reason why I hear slight wind noise coming from behind the driver seat when travelling at 50mph+.

 

Look for a tear in the hose first. That is a frequent weak spot.

 

Do you recall if you had a leak before you had your car painted? If not, it may be that the rubber seal/boot was tampered with at that time, especially if you had a colour change.

 

How does one go about fixing that? Pretty sure that's exactly the culprit!

 

Verify the location/problem first. Then we can discuss what to do with it (and how, with what parts). Good luck!


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So I looked at the hose and the seal. And it looks fine to me. But maybe I also don't know what to look for..the top part that attaches to the hatch and the bottom part that attaches to the body seem sturdy and tight.

I worked super late last week so haven't had a chance to look for micro tears. Is there a trick to look for years or where water enters the car?

 

Post a pic if you can of the seal to the hatch opening, it may not be seated properly allowing water to come in and soak your headliner.

 

So here we go...the leaking side (driver side) doesn't look like the hose is damaged even though there could be micro tears in the hose I don't see.
That is definitely the area where water gets in though. It seems the attachment points are solid but I'm pretty sure Florida sun did a number on it and water is actually getting in where it's attached to the body of the car. (See pictures)







Now as for the right side (passenger side). I have never noticed the headliner to be wet on that side but it looks like the hose is brittle and has deteriorated. That is also a cause for concern and I hope that wasn't enough to leak into car and damage electronics.




Lastly, on the leaking side the headliner is hanging down pretty bad. I guess once I get the clips I recently order for the beige trim panels that problem should be fixed unless the headliner panel attaches somewhere?

These trunk rubber hoses and attachments freak me out. I have no idea how long it's been leaking into my car through there and what damage it's done to the electronics.
How do I go about fixing both sides? Where would you start?
As I said on the leaking side the hose actually doesn't even look that bad but maybe the square piece where it attaches to the body is not sealed all the way and water can get in that way?

I really need help with this so any fixes would be greatly appreciate. I can take the car to a mechanic/body shop but not sure if they have solutions..

Thanks for all help guys.
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Also could water get in through these trim pieces running along the roof of the car? This one seems slightly elevated

 

The rear of the roof liner is held up by the same type of retainer pin as the ones that hold up the carpeted sections in the trunk. There are one on each side and they are hidden by the forward portion of the hard upper trunk liner.

 

Would you be able to post a picture? I looked but can't see that screw/clip. I know exactly what clip you are talking about...it has two parts to it, black plastic.

 

That’s the part, I cannot stake a picture as the rear upper liners are in, the clip is more or less under the rubber conduits that are leaking, maybe a little in front of them. The holes for them may show up in a photo of the roof liner being recovered.

 

It's dark outside but just went down to check and I feel like I feel two holes where those clips would probably on the body of the car but I see no openings on the headliner for those screws to go through or attach. Makes me wonder if previous owner had headliner redone and they just glued it in and never really used those clips to attach it. Maybe I'm just not looking at the right thing. Will check by day

 

This photo shows the holes. The bottom left photo shows a hole in the bottom right corner of the liner where there is no flange on the liner and the corner is square with a radius in the corner. It is a flat area. there is one in the left hand corner as well of course.

 

Time for a leak test. Dry the headliner first with a towel or hairdryer. Clean the crud from around the rubber boot on the hatch opening and slowly pour water on it from the top. Wait a few mins and check the headliner for dampness. Quite frankly, I don't see where else it could be leaking from, the boot/seal could be torn under the hole.

 

I'm gonna do that this weekend. I was wondering if I can just seal that boot that attaches to the body of the car with silicone or anything like that around it. Maybe I could caulk/seal around these two areas cause I don't see where else water could enter?

 

And how do I best attach it? Would I need to take the whole headliner out? Here is what mine looks like it...I don't see openings for screws so almost feel like maybe person before me has headliner re-done and the glued the panel in, because there is glue like material all over the fabric.