water leak at windows door seal

[BSOD2600]

After dealing with lots of moisture in the cabin for the past month (so much that when it freezes, I get ice on the INSIDE of the front window), I finally found the primary cause -- water leaking past the passenger door seal. Originally I thought my summer sunroof sealing job wasn't sufficient, but the other day while it was raining, I caught the problem while it was occurring.

While the car is parked, the rain is leaking past the seal on the passenger door, which then drips down into the door panel handle / window control. The leak is basically at the apex of where the A-pillar meets the roof. The door of course is fully closed/latched. Visually there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with that portion of the black rubber the window is pressed against. I haven't noticed water leaking in at that location while driving, but could have overlooked it.

I found only a few brief threadson here regarding this problem, but no one ever followed up with a definitive solution. Do I have to order new sealing parts? e.g.
90362AA000 - Retainer Ay F Rh
90367AA400 - W/strip Roof Side Rh

Or is there a cheaper solution for this problem?

[Legacy777]

Any chance you could take a picture and arrow to the specific area you're talking about. I think I know the area you're referring to, but a picture would be helpful.

[BSOD2600]

Will do tonight after work, but unsure how night pictures will look...

Actually looked at it again this morning (since it was raining and leaking) and I'm thinking now the water is actually leaking in from not the glass to rubber seal, but above that. Possible the plastic trim above the window where the water is getting in behind.

[magicmike]

I'd be willing to bet your right side sunroof drain is blocked and or its not sealed tight around where the hose slides over the spout on the metal frame of the sunroof.

This here:


I put some clamps on mine because I couldn't believe how lose they were and that subaru did not put any clamps there oem. I can picture water running outside the tube there.

[BSOD2600]

Hmm yea I suppose that would be a possibility...tube loose or is now cracked. Although in either case, wouldn't you think the headliner would be soaked in the front right corner area?

Think I'll try taking off the inner plastic door trim tonight to get a better idea on the source.

[magicmike]

just stick a hose running on the roof and get in the car and watch for the leak.

[BSOD2600]

Didn't have time last night to really pull things apart. Pulled off the inner trim around the passenger door though this morning (while it was raining again).

As I suspected, the water isn't leaking on the window to rubber seal. The water is coming BEHIND that rubber piece which the window presses against.

I'll give the sunroof hose down tonight/tomorrow to see if that makes my leak return.

[BSOD2600]

Finally, got images in the rain. I also opened the sunroof and looked in the front passenger drain hole, which appears clear and no water is backed up in the sunroof channels.

The water leak source area


now the water is channeling down the rubber

[ericem]

Your seal obviously isn't fully seated in the rail.

[magicmike]

+1 Yeah, pull the whole thing out and have a look. I know it can look like its in but it might not be all the way in.

[BSOD2600]

Whats the process for taking that seal out? Doesn't appear to be any screws. Last thing I want to do is tear it and then really have a big water problem now.

[BSOD2600]

Bah, I hate asking dumb questions without investigating them first. Never knew that outer rubber door seal stuff just pulls out.

Anyways, after getting the rubber removed, I found one of the screw holding in the drip rail was half-way out -- right in the same corner where the water had started. Got all the screws tightened down and then set the hose on the sunroof and let it run. No water inside. I'll wait until it rains again before I deem this fixed.

[magicmike]

Doh! lol well at least you found something rather than finding nothing

[ericem]

that usually happens after someone replaces the windshield.

[BSOD2600]

Finally, after days of ran, I can say this problem is finally fixed. All because of one loose screw, bah!