New to the Mazda Fam

[ATC]

Hello everyone. My wife and I just purchased a new Liquid Silver CX-9
Overall we've been pretty happy in these first 400 miles.

However I will be taking it back to the dealership today for two issues. First the sunroof appears to be leaking. It's not dripping wet, but when I put my hand up in the edges of the glass around the seal there's definitely water coming in, both front and back. I can feel a very soft, um gasket for lack of a better term (please excuse my possibly incorrect verbiage, not a motor head). I'll be dropping it off tonight after hours so I stopped by the dealership to attempt to explain to them what I've found. I didn't have the vehicle with me because I was working and I drive a company car, not the CX9. The service manager gave me some pretty strange explanation about how the sunroof seal is not a water tight seal?? And that it's kind of like a rain spout on a house, and when that rain spout fills up it overflows and that's what I've probably noticed.--this is his analogy. I explained to him that my rain spout at home doesn't overflow back *into* my house.(headshake anyway, I'm going to run the vehicle over there at the end of the day when the service team is still there and lucky for them, it's raining!
I would appreciate any input anyone has to either confirm or disprove their, what I consider, poor explanation.

The other issue I've noticed with the vehicle is that the passenger heated seat doesn't warm nearly as much as the driver side. Anyone else experience this?

 

[ceric]

Definitely have them look at the seat warmer. The 2010s have 2-settings seat warmers. They had problems in the beginning.
For the moonroof, I hope you sit down on this one, "Yes. They are designed to leak!"
I know it is strange to hear that.
Think about it. Most moonroofs leak after the seals get old and crack.
Mazda designed the moonroof so that the water that leaks in will channel down thru the body to the drain holes
at the bottom. Just make sure the drain holes are not plugged by debris. Otherwise, the water might back up into
the cabin (it happened to some owners).

Enjoy your new CX9.

 

[ATC]

For the moonroof, I hope you sit down on this one, "Yes. They are designed to leak!"
I know it is strange to hear that.
Think about it. Most moonroofs leak after the seals get old and crack.
Mazda designed the moonroof so that the water that leaks in will channel down thru the body to the drain holes
at the bottom. Just make sure the drain holes are not plugged by debris. Otherwise, the water might back up into
the cabin (it happened to some owners).

Enjoy your new CX9.

Wow, That truly is unbelievable. I'm kind of speechless.

 

[SeCX-9]

Wow, I've had Dodge, Toyota, Ford and now mazda all with moonroofs and about 8 to 10 years old each and not one has ever leaked. I guess I'm lucky!

 

[IslandTractor]

Mazda is not the only car maker with this sunroof design. VW for one also uses interior channels to drain water. I'm pretty sure others do to for the exact reason Ceric gave: they will all leak eventually so why not engineer them to deal with the water.

 

[teedeebee]

Welcome to the Forum, ATC.

If you haven't already, close it firmly then try drying around the inner edges thoroughly. Run it thru a car wash or hose it down and if the moisture reappears, you may have something. I am guessing that it could have been left ajar because it's unlikely that such a new vehicle would be clogged already.

I know it's annoying to have that kind of issue with a brand new car. Best wishes.

 

[knowaczark]

Most moon roofs are designed to channel any water that gets past the seal down a pillar or column and drain out under the vehicle. If you open the moon roof fully you will see that there is a lip that creates a dam all around the opening. When the drain gets clogged the water doesn't drain and overflows the dam ridge and runs into the vehicle. Cleaning the drain has never failed me.

My old 94 Camry and 03 Yukon both needed the drain holes cleaned our periodically. Haven't investigated the CX9 yet, but would bet it's similar.

If you get water leaking inside, and you know the moon roof was fully closed, find the drain holes. Usually located in the front corners. Run a cable, stiff wire or straightened coat hanger down the hole and you should find it exiting under the vehicle. Repeat on both sides. Might have to reverse the process and run the cable up from the bottom on some designs.

Works wonders keeping the drain clear of gunk and water draining properly.

A good test of proper drainage is to pour some water inside the area of the opening dam. If drains are clear the water will leak below the vehicle. Clogged drains will result in wet seats, carpet, etc.

 

[ATC]

Thanks so much for the warm welcome. I've owned lots of cars, but this is my first brand new car. So maybe I'm a little sensitive and, quite frankly, scared. I always said that I would never but a new car, I always said I thought it was a waste of money. Alos, this is my first moon/sun roof.
Thanks again folks, I feel better. Loving the car for the most part.

 

[fellowkillla]

congrads.