Dealer installed moonroof problem, HELP!

[picasso1850]

I'm hoping you folks can help me out as im in an ugly situation

I purchased a 2007 Camry (used) and negotiated with the dealer to install a moonroof. I noticed a week after i picked up the car that the sunroof was taking in water, i brought the car back to the dealer and explained the situation. They brought the car back to the company that did the installation and they said this 'was normal, how it was designed' - I don't buy it!

They said there is nothing they can do as this is how the sunroof is meant to be, it can't be airtight and has to accept some moisture into the liner of the moonroof. Granted its not currently leaking bad enough to cause harm to the headliner (which is non existant by the way) but i don't see how they can say 'its normal and designed that way' -

What options do i have? Can i refuse to take back ownership of the car and request my money back? Have you ever heard of an aftermarket, dealer sold moonroof that takes in water?

HELP!?

[thoots]

Well, I think the normal design of a sun/moonroof is that there is a "trough" as such around it -- just a portion of the assembly designed to catch any water and not allow it to get into the car itself. If water gets in there, then there are tubes or some means of allowing the water to harmlessly drain out of the "trough."

So, I'd just make sure there is some means for any water that gets in there to drain out. If there is such a thing, and so far you have no problems, then "you have no problems." But, if you don't have any means to let that drain, then, yes, you have a problem.

As for remedies from anyone, good luck with that -- I doubt your dealer would take any responsibility, and I would expect you may have signed something that holds the installer relatively harmless, too.

Bottom line, look for any means of draining the water out of there, and if there isn't, try to get that fixed, or installed, or whatever.

And good luck with it!

[CamrySExxx]

^i didnt really read what he said so if i say the same thing then discard this. But EVERY moonroof LEAKS...if not now than later...why would you get a AFTERMARKET one ? you will have alot of problems. if you want one go with factory. you should of bought a car with a moonroof or looked for a different one without a moonroof. Thats the thing about buying used...you cant always get everything you want.

[thoots]

Originally Posted by CamrySExxx

But EVERY moonroof LEAKS...if not now than later...

Oh, I can't say that has been my experience. I'm on my fourth car with a factory moonroof, and I've never seen a leak.

Again, they're designed so that, even if a seal allowed a little water to leak in, they will collect the water and then let it harmlessly drain out some kind of drain tube system. And if you have a problem with that system, it's usually in the form of plugged-up drain holes, which should be relatively easy to clean out. Bottom line, if you get in there and clean up the edges and the innards every now and then, and apply some kind of dressing on the seals occasionally, moderns sun/moonroofs are very reliable systems.

And, I generally expect that modern aftermarket moonroofs would be designed similarly, so I would expect that they should be generally just fine, too. Oh, once upon a time I had one of those "saw a hole in the roof" cheap-o junk-o awful aftermarket moonroofs that leaked, but I sure hope they don't make them that way anymore!

[picasso1850]

I've now dealt with two sales manager and the tech manager - all of them are giving me no recourse of action. I'll wait at the dealership today to meet with the GM and see what he says...

Screw that if they think i'm gonna accept "they are designed to leak" as a resolution.

[Yazovets]

Originally Posted by CamrySExxx

But EVERY moonroof LEAKS...if not now than later...

Out of all the cars my family has ever owned, 6 had/has a sunroof. None leaked.

[Joe B]

Never had a factory sunroof that leaked either.

[gdanaher]

You are going to go to a body shop and have them replace the skin and headliner over the cabin and try to get it back to original. Hopefully a lesson has been learned here. The dealer went to a cheapie outside installer and told them to install the cheapest pos window that they could and still get away with the sale. The more the roof cost, the less they made on the deal. If you insist on doing something this stupid in the future, then buy the car and then find someone to install an aftermarket roof yourself. Then you have options as to what you eventually get. You get exactly what you paid for--junk.

[picasso1850]

gdanaher -

While i appreciate you taking the time to review my problem and provide feedback, i think your attack on me personally is amature at best. I've never dealt with something like this, didnt have experience in it, and frankly never thought the #1 dealer in New England would half ass a job and think they'd get away with it.

I was never aware of after-market sunroofs leaking 2 weeks into installation, nor was i aware that an after-market company would rip out a headliner and not replace it with something professionally looking.

I think your attack on me is misguided and misrepresented -

[lammydi]

Originally Posted by picasso1850

gdanaher -

While i appreciate you taking the time to review my problem and provide feedback, i think your attack on me personally is amature at best. I've never dealt with something like this, didnt have experience in it, and frankly never thought the #1 dealer in New England would half ass a job and think they'd get away with it.

I was never aware of after-market sunroofs leaking 2 weeks into installation, nor was i aware that an after-market company would rip out a headliner and not replace it with something professionally looking.

I think your attack on me is misguided and misrepresented -

Picasso1850,
You have enough problem in your hands to deal with right now. Focus on your problem with the dealership. Don't waste time with all others non-sense.
Good luck and keep us informed.

[Explicitstylz96]

do you have pics of the moonroof? It be interesting to see what type of job they did..

[R07M]

Originally Posted by picasso1850

and frankly never thought the #1 dealer in New England would half ass a job and think they'd get away with it.

Boch?

[bronzemaxell]

Originally Posted by Joe B

Never had a factory sunroof that leaked either.

all moonroof/sunroof will leak, it is just a matter of time when the plastic or rubber seals gets harden and cracks, in 5, 10 or 20 years, and on top of that, any moving part is suject to wear and tear.

i have a friend who has a 10 years old factory moonroof, it leaks, so he caulked it with silicone and pulled the moonroof fuse to stop the leak because he states not worth the money and trouble to fix.

does the aftermarket moonroof has proper draining tube install? and proper reinforcement to the roof once you cut a big hole on top so it won't collaps when the vehicle rolls over in event of accident is another concern.

[picasso1850]

Yes Boch -

I can take pictures at a later date.

[R07M]

Unfortunately, i have a feeling you'll be out of luck in terms of trying to get any resolution.

if it was not factory installed and was not an OEM part, I doubt the dealer warrantied it. THey'll probably just tell you to contact the moon roof manufacturer.

Good luck.