Penthouse roof leaking.

Walker · 01-09-2012, 11:42 AM

I have a '08 E350 with the penthouse roof. In the last couple of months it has started leaking, the leak is not isolated to one area. It pours gallons from both sides and front and back. Never had any problems with leaks in the past, can someone suggest where to begin to find the problem?

**WVvan** · 01-09-2012, 11:55 AM

Where exactly are you seeing the leaks? Is there anything extra mounted on the roof? Any extra holes through the roof or just the ones for the original hold-downs?
Photos always help.

Walker · 01-09-2012, 12:12 PM

The roof leaks around the sides (rubber gasket area), passenger seat area, 2nd row of seats both left and right and also the rear. Nothing is attached to the roof or been added to the top.

LenS · 01-09-2012, 02:18 PM

There is a liner under the fiberglass top. Bubble insulation sandwiched between the outer roof and sheet of 1/8" or so Luan plywood. So you could have a single large leak in one location and it is running off most all the edges of the luan liner. I think you are going to have to do more investigation to find the leak source.

If it is indeed "gallons" of water coming in then maybe there is a low spot on the roof and with a leak in the water puddle.

You do zip closed the penthouse storm windows before lowering the top. If you leave them open then driving rain from going down the highway would force water in.

jage · 01-09-2012, 02:58 PM

Look through my leaky top threads... I replaced about everything possible. That's a lot of water compared to what I had.

Walker · 01-09-2012, 03:34 PM

Most of the water flows in when I start to move the van, it has pooled around the edges and then when I drive it flows in at multiple locations.

jage · 01-09-2012, 05:35 PM

What would happen if the top is full of water and you put the top up?

Walker · 01-09-2012, 08:18 PM

Not sure what you mean?

**daveb** · 01-09-2012, 11:40 PM

It would help if you post some pictures of the roof, and some shots of the inside pointing to where the leaks occur. Also throw in pictures of the top raised and lowered.

jage · 01-10-2012, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walker

Not sure what you mean?

Assuming "gallons of water" is somewhat hyperbole, there are a lot of places and ways the top can leak. I thought maybe the water was collecting around the canvas at the base of the PH- putting it up would either let excess trapped by the PH off the drip rails over the outside of the van or at least reveal what is left of the van top around the PH is wet or not... as opposed to my situation where putting it up shifted the water and made it drain out the light in the top of the top.

In short a better description of exactly what is happening. And or photos.