Water Leak From The Roof Seam? (Vectra B)

[Johnjourno]

Hey all, I've been far too busy fixing everyone else's cars that mine is getting severely neglected. I have a water leak into my boot, quite an active one too, especially in the current weather

I firstly thought, rear lights, nope, visible marks above them, next I thought, boot seal, took the side liners out and saw it was coming from up towards the rear quarter windows, so took the shelf side's out, and had another look, coming from higher then that, but is running down the inside of the C pillar, and damp is visable on the inside of the upper trim, so the only thing I can see it being is the roof seam

I haven't ripped any more trim off, as I really haven't had time, and would need to take the rear seat belts out etc to access it, and I'd rather take the full roof lining out and as much trim as possible too, but there are cracks visable in the seam which are visable with the boot open, so I think it might be coming from there

Anyone had the same leak? any advice opn stopping it, as it's becoming a pain in the arse and the damp runs under the back seat when driving, and is starting to make the car smell

[envoy cdx]

You'll need to remove the trim that sits in the gully between the roof and the c pillars (Front the back doors down over) dig out all the seam sealer (theres a fair bit of it) get it really really dry and then cram it full of fresh stuff (make sure you use something that stays flexible) and let that dry.

Don't try and use brushable sealer, it won't do the job.

[Johnjourno]

What do you suggest? I used to use Sikoflex for sealing non visable areas, eg, windscreens, interior seams etc

[Olsrey]

I had this, originally used normal clear silicone but that came away after a year or so. Now tiger sealed it.

[Johnjourno]

So I took all the boot trim out, all the C post trim off, rear seat out, and thought, for ease of visability, I'll drop the roof lining out

When I started to remove the roof lining, there were small black gravel like parts falling out, lots of them, I removed the lining and got the whole car covered in them, turns out its the bond to hold the roof braces to the roof skin, what on earth did Vauxhall fail to make these with

Anyway, I've decided to go with Sikaflex, but my options are 255FC, which is used for windscreens etc, or 291i, which is for marine usage, I'm thinking 291i, and if it's for marine, its going to be super water tight (if done properly) and the price is nigh on the same anyway

Your thoughts?

[Johnjourno]

So, with today being slightly warmer but much dryer than the last few weeks, I took the opportunity to attempt to rip out all the original seam sealant




So I ripped the roof lining out to find I was getting rained on by bits of crumbly sealant





And then I began to dig, using a Dremmel, a set of picks, and a couple of small files



Clearly visable where I have had a leak





Now to the other side




I think I have got enough out for a decent reseal, and I haven't ordered sealant yet, but I am not using the car at the moment, so shot some duck tape on, quack quack



I think I am going with Sikaflex 291i, designed to be used on marine type projects, so if it's waterproof enough for a boat, it'll do for me

[Johnjourno]

Just ordered my Sikaflex, did go with the 291i, in black, and can be painted over, probably won't get that until next week, then more pictures :-)

[Olsrey]

Are you going to get new trim bits for the seam?

[Johnjourno]

I already have the trims bits that I removed, which came off quite nicely to be honest, so should look spot on afterwards, just didn't get a photo of it with them on

[Olsrey]

Ah right, when I got my Vectra they were already missing so had to buy some new ones thats all .

[Johnjourno]

Ah right, when I got my Vectra they were already missing so had to buy some new ones thats all .

Strange

[envoy cdx]

Hope this does the job for you.

[envoy cdx]

What do you suggest? I used to use Sikoflex for sealing non visable areas, eg, windscreens, interior seams etc

Sorry, last one we used "Pu-flex" seems to be holding up rather well.

But I don't see why Sikoflex wouldn't work - I used it for sealing up my last Cavalier, with really good results.

[Johnjourno]

All seems great so far, but, I have now identified another leak, which is the corrosion around the rear wiper arm, but I think I might replace the tailgate or get a bodyshop to repair it, also I'm not sure but the roof aerial might be leaking too, not sure on that one though

[envoy cdx]

Most likely the aerial base rubber leaking than anything else.

[Olsrey]

Most likely the aerial base rubber leaking than anything else.

The roof seam is a very common problem on Vec's

[Johnjourno]

The roof seam is a very common problem on Vec's

If you look at the post, I've already repaired the roof seam after finding that one, and its now water tight, but the roof aerial might have a small leak and I know the wiper arm hole in the tailgate is definitely leaking

[Olsrey]

I was quoting the other fella

[Johnjourno]

I think he was repsonding to my possible roof aerial leak after resolving the seams

[envoy cdx]

I was quoting the other fella

I think he was repsonding to my possible roof aerial leak after resolving the seams

I was. Been through this game before on a friends Vectra. Rear quarter light windows are next on the cards if not already done.