Wet headliner

[Ranger850]

Does condensation build up on the outside on the roof too. If so this could be the problem. maybe if your parking under a tree or something it is cooling the cab faster, making condensation between the outside and inside roof panels. Try parking were sunshine hits the roof sooner drying the condensation sooner. just a guess???

 

[eREdge]

No the condensation was just inside.

But I'm sure I fixed my problem. When I removed the headliner, I could see where the window seal had fallen off in the passenger side. So I used 5/16 butyl tape to reseal it and for extra measure I resealed the quarter windows with 1/4 butyl tape. It has poured down twice since and my headliner stayed dried as for the nasty stain, I used tuff stuff from Auto Zone. Works great, got most of it off on the first try. Looks new again

 

[Bgunner]

As for the condensation issue you are talking about, If the head liner is wet the moisture from that will help produce condensation on other parts. Once the all the fabric is dried you shouldn't see the condensation issue anymore.

 

[eREdge]

As for the condensation issue you are talking about, If the head liner is wet the moisture from that will help produce condensation on other parts. Once the all the fabric is dried you shouldn't see the condensation issue anymore.

I have not seen any water build up on the headliner since, but the water stains are coming back. This is starting to aggrivate me because I have two amps in the back that could potentially fry out. and I have already replaced the window seals and the 3rd brake light gasket, so I don't know what else it could be other than the condensation I have seen before and still feel.

 

[eREdge]

Just a update I have not seen any water build up since the repairs or stains. I think my mind was playing tricks on me lol

 

[91stranger]

If you still have concerns you can do an easy leak test with a fan and soapy water. Get a box fan ($20 Walmart specials) and put it in one of your windows facing in and cover any holes around the fan with a towel or something to help make it more air tight. Crank the fan on high and close all other windows except one the fan is in obviously. Then spray the truck with some soapy water. you should be able to find any leak from a small pinhole to a large hole. This will hep narrow down you leak and it doesn't really cost a things since most of us have a fan and soapy water and a spray bottle. Easier than ripping everything apart and trial and errors.

 

[Bgunner]

Since I changed my 3rd brake light it leaks and was wondering what you used to seal up your brake light when you replaced/sealed yours? I am now getting a wet head liner and know where it is coming from.

 

[91stranger]

Since I changed my 3rd break light it leaks and was wondering what you used to seal up your break light when you replaced/sealed yours? I am now getting a wet head liner and know where it is coming from.

That depends on who you ask. You can use a good name brand silicone. You can use actual automotive silicone and it may last a little longer. you can use a combo of butyl tape and silicone or another good weather resistant sealant. I would go to an RV store and get a tube of dega seal and a roll of butyl tape. Should cost less than $20 and you would have a really strong water barrier. Dega seal is like silicone on steroids. Normally silicone will peel right off with a little scraping with your fingernail, but with dega seal you will have to use a razor knife and some patience to get it off lol.

 

[eREdge]

Since I changed my 3rd brake light it leaks and was wondering what you used to seal up your brake light when you replaced/sealed yours? I am now getting a wet head liner and know where it is coming from.

I bought a new gasket off eBay for $20 iirc. Also used some clear silicone for extra measure. And make sure it's not your rear window seal that is leaking first.

 

[Bgunner]

I bought a new gasket off eBay for $20 iirc. Also used some clear silicone for extra measure. And make sure it's not your rear window seal that is leaking first.

I am positive that it is the rear break light since mine has a gap between the body and the bottom of the light. I replaced it with an LED setup and the PCB keeps the bottom out a bit, 1/16th of an inch or so even with the gasket, and the gasket even though new is still to thin to seal it. Do they make a clear silicone for automotive use, I know they have it for home use, or is black my best option here?

 

[Curious Hound]

Do they make a clear silicone for automotive use, I know they have it for home use, or is black my best option here?

I don't think the silicone really knows where it's being used. I've never had any complaints from mine.

 

[eREdge]

I am positive that it is the rear break light since mine has a gap between the body and the bottom of the light. I replaced it with an LED setup and the PCB keeps the bottom out a bit, 1/16th of an inch or so even with the gasket, and the gasket even though new is still to thin to seal it. Do they make a clear silicone for automotive use, I know they have it for home use, or is black my best option here?

You can find clear silicone at any parts store

 

[91stranger]

silicone is weak and doesn't last when exposed to elements. RV dega seal is 10x better/stronger than silicone and it looks exactly like silicone except its not soft like silicone. Get that and butyl tape and you couldn't get water through that with a power washer lol. Any RV store has this stuff and it will set you back about $20 for both. Plus you will have a ton of extra butyl tape which is good for any project that requires keeping water out. Have you tried the fan water test like I mentioned earlier? This test really works and is easy to do. You find the leak by making it leak in reverse as opposed to tearing everything apart trying to find something suspicious enough where you think it was leaking from. We use this method on RV's. We have a 14" fan that mounts to the roof vent, close the doors and windows and hose it down then start spraying "concerned areas" with soapy water and voila! Bubbles start showing up. BTW this single 14" fan works on big RV's too, we did this test on RV's that were 38-40 long and it worked.

 

[booty_malone]

I had a leak in mine a few months ago and I finally fixed it by tightening the rear window bolts. There are six and two were quite loose and was letting water in at the seal. The window seal sandwiches against the body seal to make it waterproof. The bolts must be snug or it will leak.