Roof leak. Need help!

4Hammer

4Hammer

New member
So, about a month ago I installed a prinsu rack. Used existing rack holes, no drilling. I followed the instructions exactly and carefully using silicone to prevent leaks. I left my car at the airport and just got back and it's been raining a lot. Both B pillars are wet inside and seatbelts are wet. So pretty decent leak. Haven't checked C pillars yet. All I can think of to fix it is to do exactly what I did before, but that didn't work...

From reading on here I didn't think this was possible, which is why I went no drilling.

Help or advice?!?

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If you sealed it well it shouldn't leak. You have to use a decent amount to create a hershey's kiss drop to seal everything up well. Also, I would use sikaflex over silicone.
 
4Hammer said:
Yes, a glob over the hole, then seated the spacers

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Inside the hole is one thing, but around the outside of the plastic tube is the key. I had a leak, and it was because I only put sealant inside the hole and not around it.
 
This sucks, I read probably hundreds of pages on this rack and install and didn't see anyone with leak issues. Also made sure to follow the instructions exactly. Glad to be the first with this problem. I was the first to get the lovely black spacers so I guess this evens that out.

Guess I will have to take it off and do it "the right way". Just wish I could be one of the masses that did it "the wrong way" and didn't have a leak issue.

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I used silicone on my roof rack delete and didn't have any issues. Put a good amount around each white tube. I also used the plumbers tape (can't think of the name to save my life) around the bolts. Been through rain, quite a few car washes, no issues.

Odd you're having this issue, unless you didn't put it around the tube. Hope I haven't just been lucking out and mine is ready to do the same.
 
Last edited:
mynameistory said:
Don't use silicone. Silicone bad.

Check this out.
Click to expand...

I will try teflon tape and then more silicon and see what that gets me. My rack doesnt install with a bracket like yours, so those silicone washers arent possible for me. The rack basically sits on spacers. Its very possible all the water is coming in the threads, since water can easily get into the top of the spacer and then just sit there with nowhere to drain but into the threads. But I wouldnt think that would create the volume of leak that I had.
 
4Hammer said:
I will try teflon tape and then more silicon and see what that gets me. My rack doesnt install with a bracket like yours, so those silicone washers arent possible for me. The rack basically sits on spacers. Its very possible all the water is coming in the threads, since water can easily get into the top of the spacer and then just sit there with nowhere to drain but into the threads. But I wouldnt think that would create the volume of leak that I had.
Click to expand...

I used very little silicon in multiple applications, basically squeegy'ing it into the gap between the tube and sheetmetal and around the tube with my pinky.

For your application with spacers, why not try a layer or two or three of 3M double-sided VHB tape, d-sided Sealing Tape or some d-sided acrylic foam tape with the holes cutout as best you can? This will offer conforming support, likely seal pretty well and offer protection for the paint?

https://www.3mcanada.ca/3M/en_CA/ma... tape&ef_id=W6j6IgAAAGe_10pZ:20180924175800:s

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company...0+3293193670&preselect=8710676+8710815&rt=rud

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3M-Strong-...m=263818513557&_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042
 
I had leaks as well. Took everything apart, cleaned everything, re-silicon around the white inserts. Take your time and make sure the paint is clean so the silicon sticks. Also used plumbers tape around the threads and a rubber gasket washer.
 
Problem solved

As it turns out, it was only the threads leaking. The spacers were sealed by silicone at the bottom, making the the spacer hold water until it could drain into the threads. I'm actually pretty surprised at the amount of water that made it through the threads. I took the bolts out and cleaned the crusty red Loctite off of them that was there from the factory, then used the standard white Teflon tape. Been through plenty of rain storms and car washes now with zero leaks.
 
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