[Darthbladerni]

Ok so last night i was parked on a downhill facing downwards. I got into the car, turned it on and water started running out from the top of the windshield just behind the rear view mirror.

I dried it up and set a towel below it for the rest of the night and it didnt happen. I left it over night on a flat surface then checked this morning, no water. I then parked it on an uphill slope once again no water, then i parked on downhill yet again and it started dripping slightly(it was left for about 2 hours each way).

It is perfectly fine when it is not on a downhill, i mean if it is not left on a downhill. Driving in the wet is ok no matter the surface.

My main question is, where is it coming from?? becaus the actual roof inside the car is never wet or cold from dampness.

Any help appreciated.

["Reedy"]

Quote: Originally Posted by Darthbladerni (original)

Ok so last night i was parked on a downhill facing downwards. I got into the car, turned it on and water started running out from the top of the windshield just behind the rear view mirror.

I dried it up and set a towel below it for the rest of the night and it didnt happen. I left it over night on a flat surface then checked this morning, no water. I then parked it on an uphill slope once again no water, then i parked on downhill yet again and it started dripping slightly(it was left for about 2 hours each way).

It is perfectly fine when it is not on a downhill, i mean if it is not left on a downhill. Driving in the wet is ok no matter the surface.

My main question is, where is it coming from?? becaus the actual roof inside the car is never wet or cold from dampness.

Any help appreciated.

I had a very similar problem, car positioned down hill it leaks, up hill it was ok......traced the leak back to the roof aerial. Under the cap is a rubber seal....this was what was leaking on mine....replacement seal can be bought and fitted your self very easy.

Hope this helps

[Darthbladerni]

Quote: Originally Posted by "Reedy" (original)

I had a very similar problem, car positioned down hill it leaks, up hill it was ok......traced the leak back to the roof aerial. Under the cap is a rubber seal....this was what was leaking on mine....replacement seal can be bought and fitted your self very easy.

Hope this helps

YES! lol that is what i thought it was as well. I was looking around the rood trying to see where it could get in ie the sides of the roof but it wasnt obvious.

I will check the aerial when i get home but I am sure it is that.

Now with your leak, was the inside of the roof wet or cold in anyway?

["Reedy"]

Quote: Originally Posted by Darthbladerni (original)

YES! lol that is what i thought it was as well. I was looking around the rood trying to see where it could get in ie the sides of the roof but it wasnt obvious.

I will check the aerial when i get home but I am sure it is that.

Now with your leak, was the inside of the roof wet or cold in anyway?

yeah the inside was wet....the water ran underneath the headliner from the aerial and came out at the rear view mirror....As for it being cold....i guess it was as it was winter.... and not hot

[Darthbladerni]

very strange, mine isnt wet though, it just comes out of the rear view mirror. Maybe it wasnt left long enough for it to soak through im not sure but i will check the aerial anyway. Thanks for your reply, gave me an idea on what to look for

["Reedy"]

Quote: Originally Posted by Darthbladerni (original)

very strange, mine isnt wet though, it just comes out of the rear view mirror. Maybe it wasnt left long enough for it to soak through im not sure but i will check the aerial anyway. Thanks for your reply, gave me an idea on what to look for

It was only wet around the rear view mirror....and it was winter..lots of rain..

[Darthbladerni]

thanks for that, confirmed that it has to be the aerial.

Yeah winter, lots of rain! Damn UK!!! lol

Thanks anyway

["Reedy"]

Quote: Originally Posted by Darthbladerni (original)

thanks for that, confirmed that it has to be the aerial.

Yeah winter, lots of rain! Damn UK!!! lol

Thanks anyway

Thats ok.

[Randall Raines]

Quote: Originally Posted by Darthbladerni (original)

thanks for that, confirmed that it has to be the aerial.

Yeah winter, lots of rain! Damn UK!!! lol

Thanks anyway

It's a high possibility but not 100%, there is an older thread about exactly the same issue if you search or it'll be at the very bottom of your thread under "Similar Threads".

Here are a few more possibilities for models with or without a panoramic sunroof.

1. Poorly fitted windscreen, If it has been replaced, (but this would generally leak all the time).
2. Sunroof drainage pipes not sealed properly, or blocked, or both (even if the sunroof seals around the glass are perished the water should still drain away.).
3. Roof antenna 2001-2004, the seal, once the antenna mast is removed twist of the cap, undo the nut and replace the seal / seal it, don't let the antenna module fall into the car once the bolt is removed as it will be awkward to get back out. Roof antenna 2004-2007 I'm sure the seal is the base, this one bolts on from under neath which is a little more awkward. (If the module unit falls in (early type), or its the later type you have to be very careful of damaging the roof-lining and it should really be loosened / removed to avoid damage.)
4. Any of the plugs / screws that hold the gutter rails on, but mainly the two clips at the font (one on either side) that hold the end pieces of the gutter trims on just above the shiny black front windscreen trims.

If the car is fitted with a sunroof and the sunroof drainage pipes are not sealed properly water will leak into the cabin area, also if the pipes are blocked, the water will back up and overflow into the cabin area, (this can depend on which way the vehicle is sloped)

After the antenna, the two clips (one on each side) that hold the end pieces of the gutter trims on are most likely and would account for why water gets in and drips depending on which way you are parked on a slope.

eg. The car is sloped to the rear, any water that gets inside will run to the rear, but it has escape routs in various places toward the rear and water outside will run down the gutter trims toward the rear and away.

eg. The car is sloped toward the front, any water that gets inside will run to the front but it can't go any where as the roof skin is placed on top of the front pillars and It's pretty well sealed at the front and the water can't run down the front pillars, it runs across the strengthener at the front and out through the lowest point (when it can't go no further and gathers), out in front of / through the rear view mirror and water outside will run down the gutter trims toward the clips at the front.

What ever it is, sort it out ASAP or the usual electrical faults will follow, and the problems with de-misting, with the cold, wet & windy weather on its way .

Do the antenna 1st, the two clips 2nd, check for blocked sunroof drainage pipes 3rd, then check it again for leaks, (these three jobs are worth checking out 1st (antenna, the two clips and sunroof drainage pipes ie. blocked), as they are easy to get to and you may not need to remove roof-lining), depending on your option (sunroof / solid roof) check the seal from the sunroof to the drainage pipe (you may need to remove roof-lining ).

I need to shorten my replies . New to replying, Not new to MINI2 (Guesting it), or BMW MINIs, .