Hey Folks!

As the weather warmed to a toasty -16 Celcius after a stretch of some rather cold weather, the sun was beating down on my Patriot on my way to pick up our Christmas tree. Imagine my surprise, when I look up at the Map Light mounted in the roof when what should appear, but small drops of water dripping onto my dash. The Map light lenses had small pools of water in them.

So I was just curious if anyone else has had this problem? Or any suggestions on where the water could be coming in. I do not have a sunroof, and my best guess is that it's getting in along the windshield and working its way towards the light?

Weird eh?

- Crodude

I have seen a post somewhere here about a person having that problem, again no sunroof. Maybe having a sunroof means you won't get this problem. I hope so in my case. Anyway, I'd be going right back to the dealer for this.

I have experienced the same problem once after a very hard rain that lasted all night. One small jet of water came out of the front dome lights on two turns and I did have puddles in the lights. I have a sunroof. Did you find out what the problem was?

Take a look at this guide. It shows all the entry points for water/moisture:

Patriot Leak Detection Guide (http://www.telusplanet.net/~homac/Jeep%20Patriot%20Leak%20Detection.pdf)


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Thanks for the diagram. Any idea how the dealer goes about fixing it?

Thanks for the diagram. Any idea how the dealer goes about fixing it?

They should take off the rack and trim, and re-seal from the outside. In the event of a sunroof, there is a tube which can sometimes get kinked and along with sealing. Lasty in the rear liftgate a plug at the top can fail and allow water inside the cabin.

Thanks again - this is a big help.

Since you have a sunroof, there's 4 drain tubes that are hooked up to it, and I'm guessing yours are (all?) plugged.

Same thing happened to me in December, there's a TSB for it so they unclog/replace the drain tubes and then do *something* to ensure it won't happen again.

Had a similar leak problem soon after taking delivery last June. Heavy rain at night, then leak from rear dome light. Had it checked, during which they soaked it with a hose. Could not duplicate the problem. Potential leak points were sprayed, and the problem never recurred in heavy rain or winter temperature fluctuations. It's been through car wash a few times - still no leak.

I am taking it in next week and will post some commentary on my experience.

Just got back from the Jeep dealer. They sub out their water leaks to a specialist and the guy found that the sunroof drainage paths needed work. No real information on the work order so am keeping my fingers crossed that the expert got er done.

Sun roofs are like computers. They are great when they work.

Am I the first to have attemped to fix this myself?

Just noticed the cargo dome light leak this morning. A small puddle on the cargo deck and the mat under the spare was damp. I couldn't describe the disappointment I felt. But I knew I wasn't alone. So, after reading this thread and the other (10page) thread on this issue, I knew where to look.
I firmly believe that it is the O-ring that connects the rear washer tube to the body. Why they had it connect to the body like that, I'll never know. Water pools around it and when I pulled the interior down, I saw water driping down the hose.
Called the dealer, Monday is the soonest they could get me in when I'm avail, time is the issue with me. I've also read about how "Dave" from the other post has taken it back to the dealer several times with no real progress, only wasted time. Sooo, I took a swing at fixing it myself.

You know what they say, if you can't duck-it, f**k-it. I used black duct tape, because it looks better. Started by wrapping a piece around the upper half of the hose itself, then "shingling" it down to the base. I then fanned the tape around the base. This breaks up the pool and, believe it or not, has stopped the leak dead in its tracks! It has been raining all day and not a drop made it inside. Tonight will be the ultimate test because we are having a massive rainstorm. If the patch holds then I'll eventually pull the tape off and do a more invasive fix. The dealer will just glue the O-ring seal which won't hold up. I plan to silicon the begeeses out of it. If my patch doen't work, or it's a hinge bolt or stupidly-placed plastic plug, then I guess I'll be spending a day at the dealer.

Rigged a tupaware bowl lined with paper towels to the cargo deck just incase. Ill let you all know how it goes. Got a few pics, will post em later.

Joe I'm very interested to see those pictures of how you went about this fix, I've had a leak from the rear dome light also so would appreciate any info you have on the self fix.

Many thanks.

Would love to see that, too. And hear how it held up after the big storm. Any more leaks??

I'm taking mine back in (again) this morning. <<grumble grumble>>

As Promised.. Before
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After....
1509

Good news and bad news. Last night, mother nature threw everything she had at my Jeep. It was a flood storm. The patch help up pretty good, but it is only duct tape after all. Looks like a few drops made it under the tape. The Pan was dry but there's a bit of dampness in the headliner.
1510
I am now 100% that it is the O-ring for the washer tube... but this is in my case only. It should only be light rain from now on. If I get a dry day between now and Monday I'm confident that I can repair this myself and will cancel my appointment at the dealer.

Hey, I was looking around at the rear gate jam.... is.... this a drain hole??? you tellin me they knew there'd be water infiltration?!
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Hey Joe, not really making out the first 2 pictures very well. Can you provide a little description of where this tube is and how you got access to it.

Does it run under the headliner around the rear dome light area?

Hey Joe, not really making out the first 2 pictures very well. Can you provide a little description of where this tube is and how you got access to it.

Does it run under the headliner around the rear dome light area?

Yeah, sorry about how grainy they are, must be the low light conditions. It was dark and raining when I took those pics. The tube is looking right at you as you open the lift gate! Just to the right of center, you'll see a rubber hose connect the main body to the lift gate. The major design flaw is that the hose connects to to top of the lip of the main body. Opening and closing the gate (as much as I do) moves that hose back and fourth ever so slightly and works the seal loose over time.

Once inside the main body, the hose runs towards the front of the jeep, but the infiltrating water runs along the hose and drips straight down to the headliner below. The water collects in the lowest part of the headliner- the dome light and leaks through.

My idea is to create a shield around the seal to deflect the pooling water. So, even if the seal does break, the water wont be able to get to it. My half-assed duct tape tepee kinda worked, but I'm thinking a mound of silicon will work better. I need dry weather to do it! No garage available. Feels like I'm patching a boat from the outside while still out in the water!

printing this outand taking it in for my next leak detection. Thanks!

I don't have a leak problem, but I have to say I am very impressed with Joes's detective work....

Thanks for the positive support guys and gals. Everything I buy seems to need a little Joeatizationat some point. I just wish this could've been an exception, so soon! Well, if I'm gonna keep this Jeep for 20 years (like I plan), then there will be all kinds of spit and glue projects to undertake. I've decided to cancel my appointment to the dealership- 5 days from now (soonest available). What a croc. I will Gorilla Glue the seal and add my silicon sheild. Overkill, but it's do or die as far as I'm concerned. I'll post all about it when the time comes, with detailed info and pics.
For those of you with a leak at the front end, the sunroof is probably the culprit, but I don't know. Hope you get it fixed.
I've never had or even heard of vehicle with a such a problem.

It's not a Bmw or a Humvee, but its the best vehicle I've ever driven and feels as though it was built just for me. People think I'm crazy when I say this is the car I'd be driving if I were an millionare, but I'm not lieing. It would be a travasty for me to rely on someone who doesn't love my vehicle redo a factory technique that caused the problem in the first place. I will stop this leak. My confidence comes from experience....

1. 97 Suzuki Sidekick. Violent shaking when it comes to a rolling stop. Rpm dropped to 500 when at 0mph. Stall was rare but did happen in extreemly hot weather. Midas said it would cost $400 to correct. Computer chips would need replaced. I fixed it myself using a penny and a paperclip. The paperclip and penny were positioned so that the gas pedal was kept from returing all the way to the up postition when let off. This simulates keeping my foot on the pedal gently at all times. Rolling stop RPM returned to 1000 and nutral was at 1100. Perfect! And I saved $400 at least.

2. 97 Suzuki Sidekick. Factory thermostate had to be replaced because it failed and caused a boil over. The only problem was that the replacement thermostat apparently "always stayed open." Tried new thermostats and went to three differant mechanics... no results! The temp stayed below C at all times during the cold weather. Sooooo I improvised and placed a steel double layered cookie sheet infront of the radiator. This helped keep the heat in by blocking 60% of the radiator. An electric heater defrosted the windsheild quickly. It was slow but the Zuke kept its heat! No thanks to the Mechanics!

3. 08 Jeep Patriot. 4 months old and a mysterious leak is occuring at the rear dome light. Bring it on!

For the permanent fix, think about mounting a piece of pipe through the hole in the car body and gluing, screwing it down solid there. Cut the hose and plug it onto both ends of the pipe. That would allow the flex to occur where it will not cause a leak.

Joe - What do you think about masking the hinge area, and shooting a couple coats of undercoating over the area?

Checked out my hatch yesterday...my dealer has caulked the plastic cap in the middle (that thing is buried in caulk!) and the spot where the washer hose comes through. I still had a leak.

:(

Joe - What do you think about masking the hinge area, and shooting a couple coats of undercoating over the area?

Not sure that'll do it, then again, I don't know much about painting. The coat could chip and you'd be right back where you started.


Demolaygirl- I'm so sorry to hear about your luck. Just keep bringing back to the dealer. They can keep on it till hopefully they get it right.

I finnaly have some nice weather today and will get started on my fix.

Finished the fix! Everything went as planned! Sealed the plastic plug, and the satellight reciever but my main focus was the washer hose. This jeep could float on it's back now! Gotta give it a day or so to dry b4 I test it, but I'll get pics and details posted late late tonight.

Here's the thread detailing how I fixed the fixed my rear dome light leak.

http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?p=52246&posted=1#post52246

:hijacked: