Roof Leak Problem--Please Help

[Leafsboy]

Please Help Me:

Just over a month a ago I posted a thread looking for advice about this same problem. For those that responded, although your advice was great, I still have the problem. Here it goes...

I own a 2003 P5 that now has a grand total of 6000 km on it. Within the first week of bringing my car home from the dealer I installed a moonroof wind visor for highway wind-noise reduction. It worked like a dream. I purchased my car in Victoria, British Columbia, and at the time I was living in an apartment in Victoria. Washing my car was a pin at the building so I found the best Touchless Car Wash that I could and regularly visited. It worked great too. I always hand dry my car using thick cotton towels.

At the end of August, I moved to Toronto, Ontario. My P5 moved with me (not driven...trained). Although I had the luxury of hand washing my car at my house, those damn touchless car washes work too damn good. So I took my car to a local Esso gas bar that recently built a great touchless car wash. On my first go-through, water leaaked into my car, on the driver's side at the top of the front windshield pilar. My roof was soaked, leaking like mad. Obviously, I was very upset by this. I took my car directly to my new Mazda dealer, and trust me when I say that this is where the problem really starts.

So the Service Department at the dealer, acted concerned, took my car in for a day, and when I returned, their reply was, "We can't find any leak." They said that they sprayed the car with a high-pressure washer, took the fabric off the car's roof (interior), and checked the moonroof drain tubes for leaks, but still nothing.

I took my car back and the next day I had it washed again, but this time at a different Touchless Car Wash, and it mirrored my second experience. Actually, it was worse; water was dripping on my dash board. Round Two:

I took my car back to the dealer, they looked, but this time, the Service Manager gets involved and tells me (brace yourself): not to use my moonroof wind visor because it "is bad for the car." First off, that is the lamest excuse I have ever heard. The wind-nise reduction visor is a genuine Mazda accessory. But wait, it gets so much better or worse if you're me. The Service Manager continues and tells me not to take my car "through automated car washed again," because they are bad for the car. Are yu laughing yet? I sure was. What the hell do people living in the North Eastern portion of North America do in the winter months? Am I expected to wash my car on my drive way with a wash mit? Bad for my car? Are not Car washes and vehicles designed for one another?

When my car was returned to me, my wind visor was removed from my car, and placed in my trunk/hatch.MAdness I tell you!!! The dealer seems content with its performance, but I am fuming.

Do any of you feel like tackling this one? I am open to your comments and suggestions (PLEASE!!). Has anybody else experienced a leak problem with their P5?

HELP!!!!!

 

[derrick1623]

call mazda north america

 

[MikeBlueP5]

i would say give mazda a call, are there any other dealers around?

 

[ahb11m]

is it a mazda part?

don't drive it... i've heard thats bad for the cars as well

 

[mikeyb]

So is your sunroof leaking now? I use to work at a Mazda/VW dealer and I never seen a Protege with a sunroof that had the winddeflector have leaks. Was it installed properly? I also have a SE-R with a sunroof and I know if its not closed completely it leaks while in the touchless. On my P5 ansd SE-R, I noticed that the wind noise is greatly reduced if you open the rear passenger windows.

 

[Leafsboy]

The Problem is not me

Thanks for your replies:

To answer the first question in the replies, absolutely the moonroof wind visor is a Mazda part - an Genuine Mazda Accessory made for the Protege. As a rule, I never put third-party accessories on my car unless Mazda sanctions. I don't care what any experienced members say about modifying their cars. I've learned that it's all a waste of money and time. I don't want headaches, I just want a bolt on piece that serves a purpose. Remember, utility over looks.

Second, I am anal, about everything. Call me nuts, but before I go through a wash, I have a routine I go through to ensure all windows are up, doors are closed properly, and that the moonroof is shut and sealed. There is no messing around. I do this every time I go through a wash. Besides, as I have stated, just ensure that my roof was not open I went through the wash a second time two days later, and the same problem occured.

It is disheartening to receive the treatment that I am now. BUt I promise you this: I am going to win this battle. No way am I paying the lease payment that I am to drive around in a mobile pasta strainer. The fabric on my roof is stained. The car now has a musty smell, and the fabric were the water leaked in is loose (wrinkled, not tight to the roof).

Again, any takers on this situation? Oh, and I have already fired off two letters to Mazda Canada. The worst part of all this is that Mazda has now lost me as a customer. This is my second Protege (the first was flawless), and my family has leased two of the now defunct Milennias, and a pickup truck. I am moving on to a VW Jetta TDI.

 

[kolashaker]

That's total BS what that Service Manager told you, you should try and find another dealer to look at your car. I just installed a moonroof wind deflector 2 weeks ago (official Mazda), and have washed my car twice and gone through 2 rain showers, one heavy--and not a single leak. Also there's no way you can make a mistake installing those things--I'm sure the deflector has nothing to do with your roof leaks. In any case it sounds like that dealership is trying to screw you over, try and find someone else to look at it.

 

[mikeyb]

You think you have problems with the Mazda and you want to go to a VW. Thats a bad move in my opinion. Like I said before I worked for a VW/Mazda dealer and I rarely saw Mazdas in the shop with issues. But VWs on the other hand I saw all the time and a lot of them would comeback with the same problems.

Is there another dealer near you? Sorry your having problems. Is it still leaking????

 

[ahb11m]

naa thats crazy s***, get away from them.... or try and get your car serviced by some young mechanic... i dunno why, but they are usually happy to do warranty stuff... its just bloody odd

 

[firefly]

In which part of Ontario are you in? If you're in the GTA area go to Avante Mazda (Richmond Hill) or Dave Wood Mazda (Newmarket) or Westowne Mazda (Toronto West) to have your car checked out. These are about the only three dealer in GTA that'll give you the service you deserve.

 

[Leafsboy]

Dealership Identity

Hey, thanks for the quick responses:

One of you recommended trying particular dealerships. Well, I live in Newmarket, Ontario and the local dealer is Dave Wood Mazda. This is the same Dealership that told me to not use the Mazda accessory in question and to not use car washes. What a freaking joke.

On other Protege web forums I read that a lot of people loved Dave Wood Mazda. I am here to say that the dealership is terrible. Bloddy joke if you ask me. I am a paying customer, with a brand new P5, with an extended warranty. I should be a priority, especially given the type of problem I am having.

As for the VW problems, I want a TDI for commuting from my house, north of the city of Toronto, to work, right on Lake Ontario (down town T.O.). I have many friends that own VW Jetta TDI's and they are laughing all the way to the bank with the cash they save at the pump. You see, if any car that I own has mechanical problems, I can do the work myself. But structural problems, such as my roof leak, I am not touching nor should I have to. I paid enough for the car to, at the very least, keep me dry.

I love my P5's looks, the engine's performance is super, but this leaking s*** and the horrific service I am receiving is the nail in the coffin for Mazda. It's unfortunate. I am not traveling to multiple Mazda dealerships to get service. My problem is serious enough to warrant attention immediately. Enough said on that matter.

So, FOR SALE: 1 leaking 2003 P5 - Mica Black, stock...best offer.

ciao

 

[firefly]

Hmm....that's very strange. I've been to Dave Wood Mazda numerous times. Although it's almost a 45 mins drive for me I find them very capable.

Who did you deal with while you're at DWM?

 

[mctoone]

Hi Leafsboy...I think I will mention this to Pacific Mazda and see what they have to say....maybe they may have some advice. I can't see how a wind deflector can have those results. Isn't it just stuck on?

 

[Togan]

normally the wind deflector shouldnt cause another problem. what imthinking is maybe something went wrong when they were installing the deflector, say, they maybe pushed the sunroof in and caused something on the top to open up space in between? or when they were installing it they drilled a hole to drill the deflector in? And when u went to the dealer, wasnt there a water stain or a damp feeling to proove it to the dealer guys? next time go to the dealer RIGHT AFTER u take ur car to the wash, that way they can see some water, ORR better yet take someone from the dealer WITH U if thats possible

 

[kolashaker]

normally the wind deflector shouldnt cause another problem. what imthinking is maybe something went wrong when they were installing the deflector, say, they maybe pushed the sunroof in and caused something on the top to open up space in between? or when they were installing it they drilled a hole to drill the deflector in? And when u went to the dealer, wasnt there a water stain or a damp feeling to proove it to the dealer guys? next time go to the dealer RIGHT AFTER u take ur car to the wash, that way they can see some water, ORR better yet take someone from the dealer WITH U if thats possible

Installing the deflector doesn't require drilling, it's held down by clamps with a nut/bolt assembly. Really, I can't see how installing it can affect the integrity of the roof, as the clamps themselves stay completely clear from the sliding moonroof.

BTW that's a great idea about taking the dealer for a ride. Why not have the service manager go with you next time you go to the touchless? Good luck

 

[Leafsboy]

Not Just Me, I'm Not Alone

Once again, thanks for the comments:

I'll respond to your comments/suggestions/advice all together. First off, Mctoon, I'd appreciate it if you did mention it Pacific Mazda. I called their service department and they laughed at the advice I received from Dave Wood Mazda. However, I would like to hear what Pacific Mazda says to you. If you could do that and post Pacific Mazda's thoughts on the subject it would be much appreciated.

As for the suggestion of taking my car to the dealer right after, I agree, which is why I did that when it first happened. They felt the dampness, saw the stain, and scheduled me for an appointment. The next day when I brought my car in they had it for an entire day. They striped the fabric from my roof to examine the problem. They soaked my car's exterior with a high pressure power washer, aiming it at the moonroof from different angles to replicate what happens at the touchless wash. The mechanics also disconnected and inspected the tubes that P5s have running down the pilars from the moonroof. I learned something new. Apparently, we have little holes where water drains from the roof into tubes that run the length of the pilars lining the windshield; before learning this, I assumed that the structure of the car had incorporated water tunnels to drain water, but I was wrong. Bottom line, the dealer said nothing was noted during the tests.

And for the sugestion of taking a mechanic with me to the wash, the dealer was very apprehensive at this suggestion and told me to come back if it happened again. Pardon my French, but their responses are such loads of s***!!!

Finally, and this is new (I can't believe I failed to mention this), the second time I brought my car in to the dealer with the second leak, another customer was waiting in the service department with his girlfriend. He watched as I complained/described my leak to the service manager. He remained quiet the entire time, but when the service manager left me alone for a moment, the customer approached me only to inform me that his white 2003 P5 was in the shop at that moment being checked for the exact same problem. His P5 was leaking WAY worse than mine. He told me that his interior fabric was so badly stained that it had to be replaced. Sadly, he received the same lame story that I did, namely, not to use a wind visor and not to run the car through a wash. Coincidence? I think not. Is this a design problem that Mazda is covering up? Let me know.......


--Leafsboy
"The Maple Leaf Forever"

 

[shumax]

Interesting. I would love to hear the result of a third wash with the deflector removed.

I have the exact same car, with the exact same deflector. One difference? I don't have a leaking issue. I can see how it MIGHT be caused though. Those brackets for the deflector penetrate the seal for the sunroof ever so slightly. They don't rip it, but they do come in between the rubber portion of the seal and the metal portion of the body; thus negating the effects of the 'seal.'

I'd try it with the deflector removed. If it persists, then you have other issues. I'd almost suspect a faulty windshield seal. Then again, I haven't seen where the leak is orginating from.

Good luck!
Curt B. Shumaker