Bongo Fury

Hi,

Wondering if anyone can help... Our sunroof leaks. It appears that the rubber seal is cracked, at the front/middle there is actually a gap in the seal where there is a screw. I did a bodge job with gaffa tape 3 months ago which solved the problem (but obviously can't open the roof!). With the bad rain yesterday and today it looks like it is leaking again.

Can the seal be repaired? We have rung 3 local firms who all said you've got a what?! A sharp intake of breath followed by I'm not sure we can help you....
Can I buy just a seal for the sunroof? I have looked on the net but no joy as yet.

Thanks,

P.S we live near Lincoln

Worth getting in touch with JAL who convert tintops into freetops - may be able to help you out with a seal removed for conversion?

There should be a drain hole in the guttering below the sunroof towards the front of the runners, on either side..
Have you checked them to make sure they are clear??

Good point Jamie, most sunroof leak problems aren't caused by the seal leaking, but the water having nowhere to drain to as the drain is blocked, quick blow through with some compressed air usually does the trick - you may be surprised how much crud comes out.

jaylee wrote:There should be a drain hole in the guttering below the sunroof towards the front of the runners, on either side..
Have you checked them to make sure they are clear??

Thanks for the speedy responses,

Actually I didn't just panicked and got gaffa tape happy, then realised (off the net) that there was such a thing (d'ho). If the rain stops tomorrow I am going to remove the tape and have a bash at it, although I suspect that it is the seal as it is cracked.

Barley 1981 wrote:

jaylee wrote:There should be a drain hole in the guttering below the sunroof towards the front of the runners, on either side..
Have you checked them to make sure they are clear??

Thanks for the speedy responses,

Actually I didn't just panicked and got gaffa tape happy, then realised (off the net) that there was such a thing (d'ho). If the rain stops tomorrow I am going to remove the tape and have a bash at it, although I suspect that it is the seal as it is cracked.

I would get some black automotive silicone and use that to repair the cracked area and fill the gap. But make sure the drains are clear first. oh and let the silicone dry befor you put the sunroof down as it makes a superb adhesive.

And blow through the tube UPWARDS - blowing down it can just pack the obstruction tighter into the drain tube. Or if the blockage is bad, even force the tube off inside the body somewhere.

Just make sure the sunroof isn't open (or use a dust sheet inside the Bongo) when you do it, or all the crud can just do a nice neat arc onto the seats or carpet.

scanner wrote:And blow through the tube UPWARDS - blowing down it can just pack the obstruction tighter into the drain tube. Or if the blockage is bad, even force the tube off inside the body somewhere.

Just make sure the sunroof isn't open (or use a dust sheet inside the Bongo) when you do it, or all the crud can just do a nice neat arc onto the seats or carpet.

Thanks, Sounds fun, will take a look tomorrow, I have to confess that I am not sure what I'm doing so hopefully all will become clear when I open the sunroof and I'll be able to see the drain.

At the risk of sounding really daft where is the other end of the drain?! Is the drain going to be something I can poke with a coat hanger/scewer or do I need to get something to blast it out with... would one of those computer keyboard jet cleaning canniseter do the job? Blonde roots showing now...

Cheers, Sarah

Not sure if this is stating the obvious or of any help.

My sunroof has two closed positions. Both look closed from inside the Bongo, but only one is completely waterproof in heavy rain.

The sunroof slides across and looks closed, but is still below the roof level at its back. This is waterproof at this point in most situations but not fully closed. It needs a further press of the button to lift up the back to come level with the top of the Bongo. At this point it fully sealed and will withstand anything.

This is the opposite of the type of sunroof where the second press of the button lifts the roof for ventiation.

This schematic shows the drains at the sunroof, but not where they come out http://www.lushprojects.com/bongopartsm ... 1of02.html . Ask Jaylee nicely & I'm sure he'll poor some water down his & see where it comes out. I wouldn't poke with screwdrivers as they look like they go around corners.
any sort of inflating pump manual or electric should do the trick - I've used one of those emergency power packs with a built in compressor to great ( & messy as Scanner pointed out) effect.

They usually drain to tubes that run down inside body pillars, usually the closest one to the point where the drain hole is in the sun roof cavity and exit under the body somewhere.

You could try pouring a little water into the bottom of the sunroof cavity and seeing if and where it drips out underneath.

Sorry, but my Bongo is in Scotland without me at the moment, or I'd go and look for you.

missfixit70 wrote: I've used one of those emergency power packs with a built in compressor to great ( & messy as Scanner pointed out) effect.

You mean I've missed you doing your dirty whale impression.

missfixit70 wrote: Ask Jaylee nicely & I'm sure he'll poor some water dowm his & see where it comes out.

Always ready for a challenge Kirsty!
It comes out (i've just flushed the drivers side only.) almost in line above behind the sill where the courtesy light negative trigger is, in the door jam..
There's a pipe in the way which looks like part of the rear heater matrix??
So the drip could be mistaken for a leak!!!
I'm assuming the drain on the passenger side comes out in the same place... But on the passenger side!

Hope this helps!

New Forest Terrier wrote:Not sure if this is stating the obvious or of any help.

My sunroof has two closed positions. Both look closed from inside the Bongo, but only one is completely waterproof in heavy rain.

The sunroof slides across and looks closed, but is still below the roof level at its back. This is waterproof at this point in most situations but not fully closed. It needs a further press of the button to lift up the back to come level with the top of the Bongo. At this point it fully sealed and will withstand anything.

This is the opposite of the type of sunroof where the second press of the button lifts the roof for ventiation.

No its not stating the obvious, slightly embarrassed that I can't work my own sunroof! I didn't know that so it could be as simple as that, though slightly disappointed that I won't be able to my own whale impression... I will find out tomorrow if it's the drains, seal, or user error!

Thanks, Sarah

Barley 1981 wrote: I will find out tomorrow if it's the drains, seal, or user error!

Thanks, Sarah

Don't fret too much about the seal user error... They are incredibly hard to train, & don't take to kindly to being transported on the roof in a Thule box...!