I must be one of the only ones having this problem, but that is small comfort. After telling me the roof hole was not cut to spec, the dealership took TWO DAYS :cry: to install "shims" to fix the leak. Today, it rained. Today, the roof leaked AGAIN. :evil: Now they want it back to "try something else," although no one seems to know what. Best of all, when I asked for a loaner vehicle, I wasn't offered a Honda - not even a Civic. No, they want to rent me a Ford Escort. No wonder they can't fix my roof - they can't look at a guy who's 6-4, 285 understand why he wouldn't want to drive a tiny piece of crap Ford for days while they scratch their heads and try to figure out how to keep water out of the square hole they cut for an rounded moonroof.

I hated my old Explorer, but at least I didn't have small craft warnings in the back compartment when rained! :(

Looking at the service manual...did they check to see if the drain/drain hose for the moon roof opening was operating properly (not blocked) and properly affixed?

-brendan

The drain was the first thing they said they checked this last time. I appreciate the tip; I'll remind them to check it again.

mine is leaking too!

I had some leaking issues as well, though mine came when taking it through an automatic carwash. Even after they claim to have cleared the drain, it still happened. I stopped taking it through car washes (my E will just have to be dirty during the winter), and the problem seems to have solved itself. No more leaks when not under high pressure! :|

This is beyond me.
Unless the temp is below 0 degrees F, my roof is open ALL THE TIME while driving, and only closed if it is raining vertically while parked.

I've NEVER had a leak. NEVER.

I'm talking rain storms that cause people to pull over on the highway because they can't see.
I'm talking blizzards that cause you to drive 5 mph in a 70 zone.
I'm talking a downpour (straight down) that soaks you to the bone while dashing into the local convience store.

Unless the wind is blowing the rain vertically into opening, I've had NO water in my Ebox.

If you have water getting in while it's closed, you have some serious issues.

Just experienced this for the first time in nearly 3 years. It rained the day before yesterday and I noticed some water dripped down onto the cargo cover. I didn't get to check the forums first when I noticed the problem, but I did check out the moonroof. If I push up the moonroof from the inside, I can actually open up enough of it to the outside - enough open air space for water to get in. I wonder if the rivets holding down the latch is too loose - they seem to have a bit of "give". I was even wondering if it was caused by driving over rough roads while raining. I don't really see how the moonroof seals could leak while car was parked.

There are two sets of seals. In inner set that the glass presses against when closed. These keep the wind out. Any leak past these would appear around the window and its frame.

The outer set is fixed to the edge of the glass, and seals the gap between the glass and outer sheet metal. Since these are flush with the metal and glass, some water will leak passed them. This water is supposed to collect in the channel around the frame, and drain away through 4 holes and tubes in the corners. However if water does not drain and collects, it can overflow the channel into the ceiling liner. It will flow to a low points in the liner, such as the LATCH openings by the tailgate, and drip onto the floor.

I know about this drain system because I once tried to flush out these drain channels, and poured in water faster than it could drain out, so it overflowed.

Dirt and pollen collecting in the drain holes is the most likely cause for leakage.

paulj

Got rid of the leak when I got rid of the 03 AWD and got a 06 FWD......hole back there didn't add up to being a good deal........

I have the same problem with one drain hole in the moonroof frame that is completely stuffed. When the car is parked at that side, water from rain will not go down the drains and sooner or later the water will overflow the channel and into the ceiling liner.

Has anyone tried to fix a drain that is not not working?:? :confused:

Update: I brought my car to my dealer for diagnosis twice. First time they "couldn't reproduce" after a 2hr water test, but did agree that the freeplay on my skylight latch is a bit more than normal so they ordered the parts and asked me to come bakck. By the 2nd visit I had noticed more water leaked through; they were about to say they couldn't reproduce it again when one of their mechanics found that the looseness in the skylight (like mine) did indeed cause the water to come through when they pushed on it. So they replaced the entire skylight panel under warranty.

Sletten - I use a tool such as a mityvac hand pump for flushing brakes (because I already have this thing) to pump water into the drainholes and clear them (see this http://cgi.ebay.com/silverline-Mityvac-vacuum-pumps_W0QQitemZ180043428972QQihZ008QQcategoryZ2623 6QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
You might be able to rig something up with a spray bottle to accomplish the same thing.

I know this is an old thread but I just started having a bad leak in the back when it rains hard (& it will rain hard almost everyday until September!!). Apparently water is collecting in the overflow & then leaks at the seams of the plastic just above the back door. For reference, the seams are right next to the anchor points with the sliding covers.

Can anyone tell me where the drain tubes are? I am short & so I haven't been able to see up in the roof when the leak is happening (I am usually just getting out of work).

Any suggestions on how to flush them? Anyone know where they drain out so I that I can check to see of they are flowing correctly.

Any help you can give is greatly appreciated!
Cindy in FL

First step is to stand on the lower tailgate (with the upper closed) and look and/or feel around the gasket of the closed skylight. It should be flush with the metal roof, and without significant gaps.

Next, get inside the back, open the skylight all the way (unhook the latch - see owners manual), and standup inside the opening. You should see a 'track' or shelf that the glass rests in. The drain holes are in the 4 corners of this shelf.

Also while the glass is up, look at the gasket around its rim. You many need to clean it, and the mating part of the roof. In the PNW, early summer pollen season leaves a pollen mud coating on places like this.

Notice that there is a gap between the roof metal and that shelf, especially along the sides. If the drain holes are plugged, then water fills the channel in the shelf, and overflows through that gap. From there it runs on to the ceiling, and down to the lowest point - near those LATCH openings by the tailgate.

So there are two defenses against leaking. The main out seal which should keep most of the rain water out. And the drain holes which take care of the water that leaks past the outer seal.

Can anyone tell me where the drain tubes are? I am short & so I haven't been able to see up in the roof when the leak is happening (I am usually just getting out of work).

Any suggestions on how to flush them? Anyone know where they drain out so I that I can check to see of they are flowing correctly.

Any help you can give is greatly appreciated!
Cindy in FL


The answer to your question on is located in the first thread of this forum.

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/images/misc/navbits_start.gif (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50142&highlight=drain+tubes#) Honda Element Owners Club Forum (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/index.php) > Honda Element (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3) > Problems & Issues (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=41) http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/images/misc/navbits_finallink_ltr.gif (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50142&highlight=drain+tubes) How do I unclog the skylight drain tubes?

Thanks Guys!

I found this old tread by searching for leaky roof & came into it that way & not thru the forum so I missed the drain tube post. Sorry about that. I will try & fix them tomorrow! Wish me luck :o)

This place is great!
Cindy in FL