Water leak at quarter window

[BNorX23]

I’m getting ready to have my headliner re-done, but I’m having a hard time chasing down a leak before I have it done. My current headliner gets soaked when it rains. I know where the water exits but can’t figure out the source. I’ve had the quarter glass removed and resealed, and that didn’t help. I have silicone’d the roof rack and I don’t think that is it either. I removed the headliner today and didn’t see any water around the roof rack nuts after hosing it down, although there is not much of an opening to look through. The water was dripping from between the pinch weld at the top corner of the window. Anyone else experience this? Attached are a couple pictures. A close up, and another farther away for context.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I’m getting ready to have my headliner re-done, but I’m having a hard time chasing down a leak before I have it done. My current headliner gets soaked when it rains. I know where the water exits but can’t figure out the source. I’ve had the quarter glass removed and resealed, and that didn’t help. I have silicone’d the roof rack and I don’t think that is it either. I removed the headliner today and didn’t see any water around the roof rack nuts after hosing it down, although there is not much of an opening to look through. The water was dripping from between the pinch weld at the top corner of the window. Anyone else experience this? Attached are a couple pictures. A close up, and another farther away for context.

View attachment 249940 View attachment 249941

If I'm not mistaken @dkknaebel just had a similar situation. Hopefully she'll chime in.

 

[Bear77]

I think I may have same problem. Having my roof done next week but subbing in case that doesn’t work out


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dkknaebel]

I’m getting ready to have my headliner re-done, but I’m having a hard time chasing down a leak before I have it done. My current headliner gets soaked when it rains. I know where the water exits but can’t figure out the source. I’ve had the quarter glass removed and resealed, and that didn’t help. I have silicone’d the roof rack and I don’t think that is it either. I removed the headliner today and didn’t see any water around the roof rack nuts after hosing it down, although there is not much of an opening to look through. The water was dripping from between the pinch weld at the top corner of the window. Anyone else experience this? Attached are a couple pictures. A close up, and another farther away for context.

View attachment 249940 View attachment 249941

That pinch weld started to separate on mine. Couldn't really see it without the quarter glass out. I chased my leak for a few weeks. When my guy came to change my quarter glass, he looked all over the place and pinch weld had some wetness and a tiny amount of opening. Barry (glass guy) filled it in and then put the new glass in and added extra sealer.

 

[BNorX23]

UPDATE - I had another Auto glass shop reseal the window. They put a thicker bead in the corner where the water was coming in. It fixed it and is no longer coming in at the body seam. However, it is now leaking at a different spot. I really wish I had a competent glass place near me. Both shops I have used, I'm not happy with either.

 

[imkwuzn]

Same thing happened after removal of quarter glass for a respray. Glass guy installed glass and it leaked on both sides. Did it a 2nd time and it still leaked on the top edge of the passenger glass which caused the headliner to get wet along with the carpet in the rear passenger corner.

I chased it also and resealed the 3rd brake light which is fairly common, all roof rack bolts and still had a leak. Turns out it was leaking about 3-4 inches from the rear corner on the top edge of the passenger side glass. After resealing it twice and using a special body primer it still leaked. We finally solved it using a thin strip of caulking putty that Ford uses to seal glass. We packed it in tight along the upper edge where the adhesive and the glass meet.

Another common issue is the rear lift glass leaking around the weather stripping. I replaced all the weather stripping when I painted the Tahoe and mine seals fine everywhere else.

Best of luck, water leaks are a real pita to solve!

 

[Hercimer01]

Same thing happened after removal of quarter glass for a respray. Glass guy installed glass and it leaked on both sides. Did it a 2nd time and it still leaked on the top edge of the passenger glass which caused the headliner to get wet along with the carpet in the rear passenger corner.

I chased it also and resealed the 3rd brake light which is fairly common, all roof rack bolts and still had a leak. Turns out it was leaking about 3-4 inches from the rear corner on the top edge of the passenger side glass. After resealing it twice and using a special body primer it still leaked. We finally solved it using a thin strip of caulking putty that Ford uses to seal glass. We packed it in tight along the upper edge where the adhesive and the glass meet.

Another common issue is the rear lift glass leaking around the weather stripping. I replaced all the weather stripping when I painted the Tahoe and mine seals fine everywhere else.

Best of luck, water leaks are a real pita to solve!

So is it possible to just seal ("putty") the inside where the glass meets the seal?
Or can the glass be removed and reinstalled DIY?

 

[TARDIS]

In the past we have used;
Permatex 81730 Flowable Silicone Windshield and Glass Sealer

It also worked on RamCharger rear windows.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BKEBO0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Starting from the outside seam;
Tape off the inlet

Apply a first layer, a child's water paint brush, can help you guide the sealant into place.

Apply a second layer

You can check for water drops by running a hose over it.

I'd suggest a knife to help cut away the seam with the painters tape.

I found that you can get one full side window per tube.
I would recommend one tube per coat.

 

[BNorX23]

So is it possible to just seal ("putty") the inside where the glass meets the seal?
Or can the glass be removed and reinstalled DIY?

I tried putting silicone in the back corner, from the outside where the leak was coming in, but you're working blind and you would have to be really lucky to get the silicone to cover the body seam.
Only way to really fix it is to have the glass removed and reinstalled by a decent glass shop.

 

[TARDIS]

I tried putting silicone in the back corner, from the outside where the leak was coming in, but you're working blind and you would have to be really lucky to get the silicone to cover the body seam.
Only way to really fix it is to have the glass removed and reinstalled by a decent glass shop.

Silicone has a thick viscosity. It's inadequate for vehicle, long term typical abuse.

If a window speck sealant, then a professional body shop can weatherstrip and reset the windows.
These windows are heavy.
I had this done professionally three years ago.
i paid around $650.