Leaky Roof!
#1
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Location: Metro Atlanta GA
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Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
Leaky Roof!
What will it take to fix this?
Apparently the prior owner had the roof of my 95 Cherokee Sport replaced - or did it himself (no accident or other info that might account for this showed up on the VIN report I bought). Now the paint around the roof gutter is peeling - especially at areas that look like spot welding; rust is at all those spots (and growing). Something that looks like clear silicone sealant can be observed in the roof gutter.
Over the weekend I was in the back and happened to look up at the gap between the roof and the rear door (obviously it was up). Sunlight could be seen through a hole in what turned out to be some form of putty all across the rear "join" of the roof and door frame. Looks like a sawz-all job back there and that junk pushed up there to try to seal it back sure wasn't good quality bond-o!
Don't know how I missed this when I was looking to buy. Certainly explains where the water has been coming from when it rains - and causing dripping condensation now that the weather is cool.
I'd kinda like my Cherokee to be dry on the inside. How can I repair this and how much trouble is it going to be?
W Metro Atlanta
Apparently the prior owner had the roof of my 95 Cherokee Sport replaced - or did it himself (no accident or other info that might account for this showed up on the VIN report I bought). Now the paint around the roof gutter is peeling - especially at areas that look like spot welding; rust is at all those spots (and growing). Something that looks like clear silicone sealant can be observed in the roof gutter.
Over the weekend I was in the back and happened to look up at the gap between the roof and the rear door (obviously it was up). Sunlight could be seen through a hole in what turned out to be some form of putty all across the rear "join" of the roof and door frame. Looks like a sawz-all job back there and that junk pushed up there to try to seal it back sure wasn't good quality bond-o!
Don't know how I missed this when I was looking to buy. Certainly explains where the water has been coming from when it rains - and causing dripping condensation now that the weather is cool.
I'd kinda like my Cherokee to be dry on the inside. How can I repair this and how much trouble is it going to be?
W Metro Atlanta
#2
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Location: Eugene, OR
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.7 Stroker I6
but seriosly, your roof sounds f'd up lol. I don't think theres much you can do except find the crack and keep resealing.
Black jack is good stuff but it would look ugly unless your jeeps black!
I guess the other option i to properly weld it or put some kind of deal under the edge and rivit it down or something.
#4
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Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
Following up
To the poster who asked, not sure why it matters, but I bought my Cherokee in early June of last year (2012). Been working on stuff slowly but surely. I knew it leaked in the rain (but I though it was seals, not the roof!). Problem just became acute when I took down the headliner (to replace an antenna mount that was there). Now the heavy condensation occurs primarily there and drips everywhere. It's a royal pain.
For the other poster: I may end up needing to pull out the carpet and do something for the floor (had to do that on a Wrangler YJ I owned for a while). But, with the roof leak and the condensation, all surfaces are getting wet - the seats, of course, being especially problematic.
Does anybody know if the roof was originally attached with spot welds? Or was it continuous welded seam?
Is there any possibility I could re-weld the entire seam periphery of the roof using my 120V wire-feed welder? Anybody with any experience doing this?
Cheers!
For the other poster: I may end up needing to pull out the carpet and do something for the floor (had to do that on a Wrangler YJ I owned for a while). But, with the roof leak and the condensation, all surfaces are getting wet - the seats, of course, being especially problematic.
Does anybody know if the roof was originally attached with spot welds? Or was it continuous welded seam?
Is there any possibility I could re-weld the entire seam periphery of the roof using my 120V wire-feed welder? Anybody with any experience doing this?
Cheers!
#5
I seen some advertisement for some rubber weather sealant in a can. What's it called? I forget. Maybe you could look into that. I've got leakage problems too, but that's just the weather stripping around the doors and windows being cracked and falling apart in my case.
#6
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
In my experience in auto body these roofs have never been a continuous weld. They are spot welded into place and then seam sealer applied to seal the weld seam (inside the gutter). If you can take a wire wheel or spot sandblaster and clean up the inside of the gutter remove rust the best you can, check the welds re weld If needed then get a good quality seam sealer from 3m or Lord Fusor and re coat the seam. You can wipe the seam sealer smooth after it stars setting up with a little lacquer thinner to give it a cleaner appearance. If you can get pics it would making things easier to explain.
Last edited by hearsedriver; 01-10-2013 at 04:57 PM.
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