Oh no, sunroof is leaking!

NeuroOrbit · Nov 8, 2018

I can't believe this, but my perfect Tiggy has sprung a leak...

After torrential rain, got in my car which was parked facing slightly downhill on my drive, and to my horror there was about half inch deep puddle of water in the passenger foot-well.

There was also water stains on the headlining on the front passenger side corner next to the sun visor.

So, after a bit of research it seems to me that VW don't seem to rely on the seal around the panoramic sunroof.... any excess water gets collected in the trough around the sunroof and is suppose to then drain out 4 drain holes, one in each corner.

I poured a jug of water into the trough and the drain hole on the passenger side totally does not work.... appears to be almost non user serviceable, in fact I could not even see the holes, which I find a strange design. The car is like new so it is not blocked from leaves or dirt etc.

Anyways, managed to clean the headlining without any adverse effect, carpet dried in about 3 days but the underlay must be soaked as it comes through when you press on it... not so great! Read on the net that it will start to smell etc, but I'm thinking that would only happen if it was wet over a very long period of time...?

Just took it to garage to be repaired, they said they need it for a week as they may have to do full strip down... I'm feeling pretty nervous about that, I kind of like things being perfect and I'm not sure if it is going to be the same again...

Anyone else experienced this... yet!

pobk · Nov 8, 2018

Hairdryers are your friend.

Also, pop a muslin cloth or something with rice or some other moisture absorbing things in and around the soaked area... If you've got enough muslin, maybe make up a rice-mat type thing that you can put down directly on-top of the carpet and shape into the nooks to try and get the moisture there.

Bi-carb too... pop some of that in a plastic tub and leave it open in the footwell...

~ Rich

KitCarson · Nov 8, 2018

NeuroOrbit said:
Just took it to garage to be repaired, they said they need it for a week as they may have to do full strip down... I'm feeling pretty nervous about that, I kind of like things being perfect and I'm not sure if it is going to be the same again...

Anyone else experienced this... yet!

Is this a warranty job?

Jeremy_SWE · Nov 8, 2018

Explains why they've disconnected the ambient lighting then.

NeuroOrbit · Nov 8, 2018

yes, under warranty... and also when I read that article about the sunroof LED lighting problem, I thought to myself, well how on earth could it get wet around the LED lights... now I know the answer!

Rory · Nov 8, 2018

I'm amazed VW is fitting these as standard on quite a few trims / models. They seem to always rattle or leak - somethimes both.

The warranty work must be costing them a fortune. Just a sealed glass panel would suit most people - they're probably rarely opened.

LspaceJ · Nov 8, 2018

Rory said:
The warranty work must be costing them a fortune. Just a sealed glass panel would suit most people - they're probably rarely opened.

I have mine open a lot in the summer. Much prefer it to having the side windows open.

mikep · Nov 8, 2018

I have mine on my Mk1 open quite often summer and winter, and it was one of the reasons for the Tiguan over the Honda CRV. My Wife's Golf has one too.

182_blue · Nov 8, 2018

LspaceJ said:
Rory said:

The warranty work must be costing them a fortune. Just a sealed glass panel would suit most people - they're probably rarely opened.

Click to expand...

I have mine open a lot in the summer. Much prefer it to having the side windows open.

Have mine open a lot also, it's been open today also.

Essjay · Nov 8, 2018

I use mine purely to let extra light in the car. I reckon I've opened it only a couple of times in two years.
I think the idea of a glass panel as an option would be a great idea.

Steve

babysnakes · Nov 8, 2018

I love my pano sunroof, i have it open whenever possible. I "DO" worry about the drain channels getting blocked though. I wonder if there's a preventative measure like blowing them out, that could stop the blockage happening in the first place.
Anyway, NeuroOrbit i hope they get yours fixed to your total satisfaction.

Henry11 · Nov 8, 2018

Suggest you get it to the dealer for warranty work. My first new Mk2 Tiguan suffered leaking roof, similar to yours (amongst other things).they had to replace the sunroof frame that had leaked. I rejected the car eventually. Don't do a home fix if you have warranty, the car is full of electrics and needs to be repaired/dried out professionally.

splang · Nov 8, 2018

I love having mine open too! Whenever I can really ..

Kugaman1 · Nov 8, 2018

Any chance of a pic showing where the drain holes are?

That way we can all get into the habit of checking them every few months.......

It was a full time job on my BMW Z4!!

Carl_L · Nov 8, 2018

NeuroOrbit said:
Just took it to garage to be repaired, they said they need it for a week as they may have to do full strip down... I'm feeling pretty nervous about that, I kind of like things being perfect and I'm not sure if it is going to be the same again...

Don't be nervous about the strip, it needs to be done.

VW have proven themselves pretty useless at solving the source of the problem but, a good dealer will do an amazing job of replacing carpets & soundproofing. Much better than a musty smell + steamy windows!

@babysnakes clearing them with a wire is advisable, as is warm/hot soapy water occasionally.......blowing them out is not.

Many dealers have actually caused drain tubes to detach by using airlines. They're supposed to be better attached these days but I still wouldn't risk it.

xtrailman · Nov 9, 2018

I've had the panoramic sunroof on two xtrails over 9 years and never had a water leak, perhaps VW should use the same drain system, as theirs is clearly substandard.

JeremyB · Nov 9, 2018

I had a major leaking sunroof saga with my Mark I Tiguan. The leaking was happening between the sub- frame (cassette) and the roof structure. It took two replacement sub-frames over a period of 2 years, total disinclination of VW UK to do anything after the second leaking incident, and the threat of legal action, before it was eventually resolved.

I seem to recall reading somewhere that clearing the drain tubes should now be part of routine servicing by VW. If doing it yourself I think I would be a little wary of using wire because the tubes are fairly easy to damage. Something like line from a strimmer might be a better bet. However, if your Tiguan is still under warranty best to let the dealer sort things out.

After all the angst caused by my leaking sunroof problems I think I would probably opt for a fixed sunroof if it was available. As it isn't, and as the opening sunroof was standard on my SEL, I do enjoy motoring with it open quite often. J.

Chris · Nov 9, 2018

I think what the dealers do is purge the drains with compressed air which surprises me as if there was a blockage it might burst the drain. The biggest no no is to park the car under trees as fine debris gets in the drains.

Carl_L · Nov 9, 2018

Chris said:
I think what the dealers do is purge the drains with compressed air which surprises me as if there was a blockage it might burst the drain. The biggest no no is to park the car under trees as fine debris gets in the drains.

Don't quote me but, I think they've been told not to do that anymore. Bursting tubes seem unlikely......detached tubes very common - leading to water ingress around A pillars if front tubes detached. It's a very serious problem if airbag canisters corrode.

Thanks to EU rules, only a bare minimum of adhesive/sealant is used....though I read somewhere recently that they've fixed that problem???

Loads of YouTube videos where people have reinforced join.

Guest · Nov 9, 2018

Had quite a time getting mine repaired as garage were not convinced. However sunroof cassette was eventually replaced and no trouble since. However I think water got into the camera in front of the mirror which led to that being replaced and two full realignments performed.
Impressed that that there is no evidence of either having been replaced so compliments to Lookers Teesside!

Essjay · Nov 9, 2018

I know there was a thread some time ago where some were complaining of sunroof "rattles", and one thought was that dry or stiffened rubber seals could contribute to the problem, and could also possibly be a cause of sunroof leaks.

I seem to remember a rubber lubricant mentioned going by the name of "Gummi Pfledge", a German product. Apparently applying this to rubber 'seal strips' on the car, not exclusively sunroof, would help to prevent seals from drying out and keeping them flexible in order to prevent the ingress of moisture.

In the light of the fact that we had a quite warm and dry summer period, it wouldn't do any harm in applying some.
It is available in this country, a quick Google will show stockists (Amazon etc).

Steve

KGG · Nov 9, 2018

I used "Gummi Pfledge" on my wife's MX5 roof rubbers and it worked a treat.

2477 · Nov 10, 2018

You would be better off using KRYTOX on the roof seals as recommended by VW for the seals on the EOS roof it's far better than Gummi-Pfledge.

Mick

Carl_L · Nov 10, 2018

Please stop this Gummi pfledge thing. It's not some magic product/brand.....it's just German for rubber conditioner.

Pop into Halfords & buy something from Auto Glyn

Paulinderby · Jul 24, 2019

Well my issue is with the drain leaking into the foot well and causing my Tiguan rline to have code errors on the dash as water has got into the electrical connectors in the foot well dealer says it's not a warranty covered issue and going to cost me £350 anyone had this problem car is only 2 years old

nickymartin · Jul 24, 2019

Mine leaked and dealer sorted it, it seems to be a common enough complaint unfortunately. Check out these posts too: https://www.tiguanforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=5552

Oh no, sunroof is leaking!

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