rear window leak

[brokemechanic3000]

My rear window is leaking from above the passenger side jump seat on my 99 Mazda B3000 SE, not too bad but it keeps getting the seat wet and I am worried about it rusting. The window itself isn't leaking but it is coming from above the headliner. I tried just tightening the bolts holding the window in but that didn't help, I also tried removing the window and adding silicone to the seal and when I put it together it oozed out on the inside so I figured that it was sealed but it still leaks.
Has anybody came across this before and what did you do?

 

[Hooligan2c]

You may want to check the seal on your 3rd brake light...Mine is doing the same thing.

 

[brokemechanic3000]

I thought of that but wouldn't it leak on both sides then, mine only leaks on the one side all of the time.

 

[Hooligan2c]

Mine leaks on the one side only as well

 

[Scrambler82]

Just check the 3rd brake light gasket, in fact replace it !

If the leak continues then at least you know it isn't the main location for leaking on a Ranger and you can go the window itself but I too think it is the light.

 

[InsaneRedRooster]

Same problem with my 03, still havent figured it out yet

 

[brokemechanic3000]

It seems like this is a common problem
There should be a recall on this, or I should go to ford and tell them I want a new Ranger because the rear window leaks.

 

[InsaneRedRooster]

A nice trick is to leave the seats leaned forward just a little so that the water gets on the bottom of the cab instead of on the seats. Lol.

 

[LIMA BEAN]

A nice trick is to leave the seats leaned forward just a little so that the water gets on the bottom of the cab instead of on the seats. Lol.

Oh I would much rather have the floor fall out of my truck while going down the hiway at 9000 miles an hour than a wet seat.

 

[InsaneRedRooster]

Oh I would much rather have the floor fall out of my truck while going down the hiway at 9000 miles an hour than a wet seat.

I've got that nice rubber floor and just leave absorbent materials (towels jackets, etc.) on the floor below the rear window. I stay pretty dry.

 

[Hooligan2c]

Just check the 3rd brake light gasket, in fact replace it !

If the leak continues then at least you know it isn't the main location for leaking on a Ranger and you can go the window itself but I too think it is the light.

This, or run a bead of silicone around it just to rule it out

 

[InsaneRedRooster]

This, or run a bead of silicone around it just to rule it out

Did that today, we"ll see what happens.

I was thinking that possibly the two clips that go on either side of the rear of the roof (just above the rear window) could be the culprits, anyone agree?

 

[Scrambler82]

Did that today, we"ll see what happens.

I was thinking that possibly the two clips that go on either side of the rear of the roof (just above the rear window) could be the culprits, anyone agree?

If the rear window has not been removed and the gasket looks ok, not cracked or just old, then it shouldn’t be the clips but let us know how things work out.

 

[InsaneRedRooster]

If the rear window has not been removed and the gasket looks ok, not cracked or just old, then it shouldn’t be the clips but let us know how things work out.

It seems like the third brake light was the issue. I heavily sprayed the suspect spots for about five minutes and wasn't able to instigate a leak.

 

[Scrambler82]

It seems like the third brake light was the issue. I heavily sprayed the suspect spots for about five minutes and wasn't able to instigate a leak.

Which SUSPECT spot, window or 3rd brake light ?

Usually it is the third brake light gasket that is the culprit.
It is made of a low quality foam and looses its sponginess and lets in water.
I have never been able to locate just the gasket so when mine started leaking I purchased an LED version and it came with a new gasket.

If the window IS leaking and you want to do it right, the window needs to come out, if the gasket is replaceable you need to replace it or the window.
Some people have had luck just squirting in silicone but that doesn’t last is a mess to deal with.
the is window sealer which is silicone based but is a real PITA, it gets on everything if you are not carful.

luck on the search and the repair.