Rear cargo area roof leak

[TNRacedoc]

My '07 Yukon XL Denali has been leaking from through the headliner just near the rear cargo door on the right. There's a water stain on the headliner. Sometimes, the water even seems to come through the vents on the side below and it leaves a puddle anytime we have significant rainfall. I've opened the rear door a time or two and saw it not dripping but pouring through the headliner and out that side vent... Not many places it can leak and come through those places, so I'm figuring a gasket around the luggage rack maybe?

Any other ideas, experiences, suggestions?

 

[KennyK]

My '07 Yukon XL Denali has been leaking from through the headliner just near the rear cargo door on the right. There's a water stain on the headliner. Sometimes, the water even seems to come through the vents on the side below and it leaves a puddle anytime we have significant rainfall. I've opened the rear door a time or two and saw it not dripping but pouring through the headliner and out that side vent... Not many places it can leak and come through those places, so I'm figuring a gasket around the luggage rack maybe?

Any other ideas, experiences, suggestions?

We had on come in the shop with a similar leak and was coming from the hinge bolts for the lift gate

 

[TNRacedoc]

We had on come in the shop with a similar leak and was coming from the hinge bolts for the lift gate

So, the repair would be to remove the hinge bolts and...???

 

[KennyK]

So, the repair would be to remove the hinge bolts and...???

at first make sure the are tight if they are you could try and put a little 3m strip caulking around the bolts under the hinge

 

[TNRacedoc]

at first make sure the are tight if they are you could try and put a little 3m strip caulking around the bolts under the hinge

Bolts checked out...and the part I could actually tighten was attached to the gate, and not to the truck. Even if the part attached to the truck were the issue, the water stain and leakage is coming from a much different locale. I still say it's something to do with the luggage rack.

Anyone know how to remove the caps so I can check the attachment bolts for the rack rail? The end wiggles some...and I've heard you can just "pop it off", but I know my luck and that usually means I end up breaking something that has to be replaced at additional expense...

 

[TNRacedoc]

Bumping this one to see if there are any other ideas or recommendations as to the origin of this leak.

I'm still wanting to pop the roof rack and see what's up...as it makes the most sense as an origin, given the location of the leak.

Anyone with a similar leak/solution?
Anyone with instructions for removing the roof rack caps without breaking them?

 

[gibbygsxr]

Check the rubber grommet where the wires come into the truck. It's a two part system. The rubber wraps around a plastic piece that clips in to hold it in place.

 

[fiatdale]

^^ This is a VERY common problem. Had the same issue on mine, and we get them in the shop all the time. Check that first and foremost.

 

[livingez_123]

Sunroof drain tube?

 

[aveelect]

My '07 Yukon XL Denali has been leaking from through the headliner just near the rear cargo door on the right. There's a water stain on the headliner. Sometimes, the water even seems to come through the vents on the side below and it leaves a puddle anytime we have significant rainfall. I've opened the rear door a time or two and saw it not dripping but pouring through the headliner and out that side vent... Not many places it can leak and come through those places, so I'm figuring a gasket around the luggage rack maybe?

Any other ideas, experiences, suggestions?

I have the same problem with my 2000 Yukon XL. Did you solve the leak?

 

[TNRacedoc]

---------- Post added at 11:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:20 AM ----------

[/COLOR]

I have the same problem with my 2000 Yukon XL. Did you solve the leak?

Nope...if you come across anything, please share

 

[aveelect]

giggygxr and fiatdale were correct with their replies. I made a temporary repair last week by placing duct seal (buy in Home Depot) around the rubber and plastic piece that clips into the body. The duct seal stopped the water coming into the cargo area. I am planning on doing a permanent fix by using silicone to hold the plastic piece against the body making it water tight and then re-install the duct seal as a back-up.

 

[TNRacedoc]

giggygxr and fiatdale were correct with their replies. I made a temporary repair last week by placing duct seal (buy in Home Depot) around the rubber and plastic piece that clips into the body. The duct seal stopped the water coming into the cargo area. I am planning on doing a permanent fix by using silicone to hold the plastic piece against the body making it water tight and then re-install the duct seal as a back-up.

Send pics of your repair as you follow-up?

I checked ours again yesterday before a huge downpour. Seems to fit snugly, but water in the right rear again after the rain passed through...

 

[nmsyukon]

I had the same issue. As fiatdale and others have said, it's where the wires enter the truck. A little bit of silicone has fixed my leak

 

[Bchee2384]

I think I have this same issue on the Tahoe I just bought. Does anyone have any recommendations for cleaning the headliner in the back? mine has water marks...

 

[TNRacedoc]

It's been a while since my original post and I've tried essentially every solution offered here. Still leaks from the same place: right rear corner and a little forward of that, sometimes running down over that little vent thingie on the bottom right. I remain suspicious the leak has something to do with either the luggage rack where it attaches in the rear, or that "gutter" that runs down the side covered by a rubber strip.

I've been leery of trying to remove the luggage rack end cap (due to concerns over possibly breaking it) and of removing the rubber "gutter" cover, for fear I'd damage it and have to have it professionally replaced...

If there are any new theories, or safe advice on how to do detective work on those two other possible sources, please share... This is making me (more) mental!

 

[mallguvner]

Just ran this by Chevy Dealer Mechanic I know and he said same thing. Grommet seal where wire loom comes through most likely. Will await a warmer, dry day.

 

[adventurenali92]

The end caps on your luggage are pretty easy to remove. I use a really small flat blade screw driver and gently work my way from the end of the cap in towards the chrome piece and gently pull it up. There’s just plastic clips on the underside. Once they’re released the whole cap comes up and off. That way you can check the bolts to see if there right underneath. I wouldn’t think that would be a source of a leak but you can always check it. I’ve had the same style roof rack like what your truck has on my 2006 xl, essentially the “esky style roof rack”, for about three years now and have never had a leak from there.

 

[Jgibson4]

This is great info. My 2012 Yukon xlt is having the exact same leakage problem as the original post. Anybody know how to take the plastic piece off along to top in the back? I'd like to see the water coming in before I spend time/money. Probably just pops off but I don't want to break it. Thanks....GREAT site!!!!

 

[Jgibson4]

Well I spent several weeks trying to fix my leak...nothing seemed to work. Took to a reputable collision repair place and they said 3k to 5k to repair because they have to guarantee it for life and it may take days to find it along with removing all carpet etc in the back to check for mold. I quit...took it to CarMax and traded it in for a 2019 yukon 4wd. Headache gone but now a small monthly payment.