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Help! Headliner leak


Kirby N.

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I have a 1991 ranger. The headliner gets wet every time it rains. Like sopping wet on both front corners by the windshield. I thought it was likely the windshield and it was cracked anyway, so I went and had another installed. It still leaks. Any ideAs? Thanks in advance


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adsm08

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What do you have attached to your roof?
 

Kirby N.

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Nothing. Completely stock.


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Kirby N.

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alwaysFlOoReD

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Take a really close look at the rain gutters. The caulk can dry out, shrink, and then water gets in and rust happens.

Richard
 

adsm08

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^That^.

Since you don't have cab lights or a visor added on, we can safely assume they are not your problem. I just had to ask because I didn't know.

After that the gutters are the best bet. They are sealed to the body with seam sealer, which can dry out and leak after many years.

I would start by pouring water on the roof and around the gutters and see if you can locate a leak point. It may help to remove the headliner.
 

don4331

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My daughter's '98 had problem with wet passenger seat (regular cab).

It was leaking around the sliding rear window gasket. So, when it rained water would get into the trough around the window and wick up into the headliner. The headliner would get sopping wet and drip onto the seat.

Took pulling the headliner to trace the flow of water.
 

sblake01

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Could the 'infamous' 3rd brake light/cargo light gasket leak cause water to work it's way around the sides of the headliner and end up leaking by the windshield? Just a thought....
 

Kirby N.

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Hmm. I siliconed up the drip rails. There was some cracks. Small ones, but it seems to have helped- perhaps fixed. It usually sits in my sloped forward driveway, so the idea of the 3rd brake light gasket makes a ton of sense. I am going to need to test that.

Thanks for everyones help. It was blowing my mind a bit.
 

Kirby N.

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I got it out of the garage and in a rainstorm and it didn't fix it. I took the third brake light off and I can't imagine how it would leak but I may replace the gasket anyway.


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Brian1973

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Since we are on the topic of leaking '91 Ranger, anyone have any ideas where to start for my truck floor getting totally soaked while parked in the rain... I've looked in the engine bay and do not see any obvious rust that water could be dripping through, but then figure it's possibly rusted behind the vents in front of the wipers or possibly under the A/C evaporator??? Been getting worse for years and now I simply can't leave it out in the rain or I will have a steamy mess inside...
 

coyotefiveoh

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brian, your problem is the windshield. The 4x4's especially, the corners of the windshield tends to crack when body flexes and then it will leak, or it could just be a shitty replacement, mine does the same thing, i called a window guy, and that is exactly what he told me, said try pulling the metal frame and use silicone along the edge of windshield and look for cracks, if it doesnt work, replace windshield. I have not pulled and fixed mine, but it makes 100% sense.


Headliner leak - Check the cab corners, (part at the back of the cab on the corners where the cab is welded together) they seem to get worn out after time, either re-weld, or dabble some silicone along the spot where it is welded. Happened to my buddys truck and mine looks like it used to do it, but someone fixed when they repainted the truck.
 

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