Before I saw Bill's video, I caulked everything you can, changed highlight...all of it...didn't work. Here, he describes the very leaks on my 98 F150 Regular Cab. (Canadian) The water comes in "ABOVE" the glass seal...so forget about a window leak. I had "exactly" the same cracks in the left and right pinch seams, which I caulked from the front to the back. And, thanks to Bill my 1998 F150 has NO MORE ROOF LEAKS!
While ago... I am a retired carman from AMTRAK.... Was assigned to repair some leaking seems on a passenger car. I used liquid sandpaper to avoid dust in the car. I applied butyle rubber caulk (from a cartridge). Smoothed it out... and repainted to match. I never had any complaints... That was 20 years ago....
I had the same problem on my 98 F-150. Took it to the dealer for an estimate. Those grooves in the roof above each door are called "Pinch Seams". It's where the doors are welded to the roof. They then place sealer in the grooves before they paint it at the factory. And they all crack and leak eventually. Sealing with calk is the only option. I recommend clear RV roof call. Nice video.
Thanks for video. My 2002 super cab started leaking in the front passenger door post handle. Cab channel seals were completely dry and cracked from 20 years sun. Some RV roof caulk has solved the problems. Thanks again
@@eltonyancey6426any update? I got my windshield resealed and everything! And handle still leaks, so I’m assuming this is what’s happening to my and my handle drip!
Thanks for sharing this video. My 2000 Ford F150 has roof leaks that I can't seem to find where they are coming from and since your video mentions this cracks on the channels, I got those same cracks. Now I know at least where to look for leak. Thank for the info.
@@breakdown505 yeah. But the leaks won't coming from there. I had to completely remove the back windshield and reseal it to stop the leaks. That was my issue.
Had the same problem. Took all the caulk out sanded the channel then bondoed the seam to make the roof panel flat. Fixed it and looks better without those water and dirt traps
I just found the same issue in my ‘02 Expedition. Hadn’t driven it in years and found the roof had rusted through underneath the roof rails so I had that fixed and the whole truck repainted 3 months ago. Yesterday I noticed water was creeping in but staying on the roof inside the car like condensation, just tons of water droplets waiting to fall onto the roof liner. Looked around and found both of the side channels were splitting and lifting, so figured that was the issue and used silicone to seal. This video confirmed my suspicion, hopefully this is it.
Hi Bill, i got Water in my 2001 F150 since a longer period of time. It was filling up the Rocker Panel on the right Side of the Truck. I wasn´t able to find the leak. Started fixing the Windshild Rubber cause underneeth i had some drip. 2nd tried the Door Seals. Now i was about to do a Rear Window Repair/Seal Job. But Now…. I found the same Little Cracks on my Roof. Well i try this first (less expensive tho) Thanks for this good advice…..form a Pickup owner in Germany
Wife got home and you had to go didn't you 😆 but for more info, it's nice to clean out ALL of the seam sealer on there because adding sealant on top of a bad finish/bond will make the problem come back.
I'm having the same issue....Why the hell would Ford make a roof like this? Mine was leaking so bad that now my truck is mildewed. I've got to take out the rug and replace it. Thanks a lot Ford!!!
Thank you for posting this video...I have the same problem on my 2002 f150 Harley Crew Cab. My roof had small cracks in those same channels that you pointed out. I used clear RTV and it sealed it really good.
I have the same truck, same problem I had it repainted and when they did that they resealed the liner for the back windshield and it solved the problem.
@Loco Blanco Diablo Crakker Still no. I keep throwing more caulk on it but I need to tarp in heavy rains. I did find a tech who can fix my water damaged computer, after several others wouldn't return my calls. If the water ruins the computer, even Ford doesn't fix.
@Loco Blanco Diablo Crakker Could Flexseal be the same thing that is used on Trailer roofs? If yes I might have. My mind has been going in that sort of direction on this too, like even thinking of the torch -down vinyl covering.
@Loco Blanco Diablo Crakker It sounds good. I haven't used anything in a spray so this sounds like something new to me. The trailer roof coat is applied with a brush. So, one more check with some caulk to fill in any bigger gaps, and then this Flexseal spray sounds like the best idea.
Ford years ago had a slogan, Better idea from Ford. Well the engineer that came up with putting those channels bowing down should be fired. Those channels hold rain water and over time rust out your roof. They are there for strength. But could have easily made the the channels bowed up. Then the rain water would not puddle up on the roof. I have already painted my roof once and it needs painting now.
The roof ditch has seam seal in it. You can remove with a scrapers and replace it. 3m makes a self leveling seam sealer that works great. It won’t match since it isn’t painted but you could always use a brush and paint it with a color that close. Pretty hard to see from the ground anyways.
What is that white stuff on the roof channels?? Thanks. My 2000 ford expedition is leaking through the roof console and front roof channels. I don’t have a sunroof.
I have a 2000 ford expedition and it has the same roof design/channels and in the front the conditions are not very good and it is raining and leaking through the roof console. What product can I use? Where can I buy it? Brand?
Hm. I have the same leak on the passenger side seat. It's a slow drip, nothing huge. But annoying. Same place it is leaking as well. I will need to check those channels out. I have a 2003 crew cab f150
Hi Bill. Looks like some lame idiots below me are idle. I know exactly what youre talking about on the rear section of those slots where theres a slight separation. From me seeing this on my 02 crew cab its obvious ford motor used filler in those slots after they pop riveted the metal together. Mine never leaked back there but because I saw the serration occurring I simply too RV window sealing and rubbed with my finger to press it down and make it smooth as to prevent future trouble. Now to my shock all of the front slots had bubbled rust and one had two small holes. So I scared the rust off and applied rust extend treatment and then painted with my small touch up brush in that groove and over two small rust holes then let dry and put RV sealant ober the two rust holes. Heres what I would like to know. Why in the hell did ford put those stupid slots on these roofs? What is the purpose?
Jack khol , you are right !!! I have had many leaks from the rear window .. what really needs to be done is have the window seal replaced but I don't want to take the time to do it , all day project. I am just maintaining this truck for a few more months until I get a new one. I have had this truck since 2001. Thanks for the comment.
I just did mine myself last week.. Had two major leaks in the back glass (2003 F150 super cab).. It's not hard really. You take the seatbelt bolts out (47 torx), trim pops off, take the clothes hangers out , seatback off, take windshield bolts out. Use slim putty knife and get between the glass and the butyl rubber seal and break the seal all the way around. Then the tedious part is getting all the old rubber off of both the glass and the seal frame. Took about 45 minutes -1hr.. I used 3m window weld from autozone but you can use butyl rubber tape. Get a nice bead on the glass and put it back in and bolt it up.. Took me about 3 1/2 hrs.. No leaks from the back glass anymore but the weather stripping where the front door and the back suicide door come together is leaking.. Will be fixing that next. I live in Florida where it rains all the time so I gotta get it fixed.
Before I saw Bill's video, I caulked everything you can, changed highlight...all of it...didn't work. Here, he describes the very leaks on my 98 F150 Regular Cab. (Canadian) The water comes in "ABOVE" the glass seal...so forget about a window leak. I had "exactly" the same cracks in the left and right pinch seams, which I caulked from the front to the back. And, thanks to Bill my 1998 F150 has NO MORE ROOF LEAKS!
While ago... I am a retired carman from AMTRAK.... Was assigned to repair some leaking seems on a passenger car. I used liquid sandpaper to avoid dust in the car. I applied butyle rubber caulk (from a cartridge). Smoothed it out... and repainted to match. I never had any complaints... That was 20 years ago....
Dude I was goin crazy trying to find my leak, great info thanks for the video
I had the same problem on my 98 F-150. Took it to the dealer for an estimate. Those grooves in the roof above each door are called "Pinch Seams". It's where the doors are welded to the roof. They then place sealer in the grooves before they paint it at the factory. And they all crack and leak eventually. Sealing with calk is the only option. I recommend clear RV roof call. Nice video.
Thanks for video. My 2002 super cab started leaking in the front passenger door post handle. Cab channel seals were completely dry and cracked from 20 years sun. Some RV roof caulk has solved the problems. Thanks again
My 02 is leaking in the same area on the drivers side. I will do the same. Thanks.
@@eltonyancey6426any update? I got my windshield resealed and everything! And handle still leaks, so I’m assuming this is what’s happening to my and my handle drip!
I used adhesive silicone RV sealant followed by Flexi Seal on my 2000 Expedition. It worked like a charm...
Dont use regular silicone because it will erode the steel. Use a synthetic silicone.
Thanks for sharing this video. My 2000 Ford F150 has roof leaks that I can't seem to find where they are coming from and since your video mentions this cracks on the channels, I got those same cracks. Now I know at least where to look for leak. Thank for the info.
Any luck since?
@@breakdown505 yeah. But the leaks won't coming from there. I had to completely remove the back windshield and reseal it to stop the leaks. That was my issue.
Only the outer two rails have sealant in them. The ones in between are solid metal. The outer ones are where its epoxy glued / spot welded together.
Had the same problem. Took all the caulk out sanded the channel then bondoed the seam to make the roof panel flat. Fixed it and looks better without those water and dirt traps
What did you re seal it with?
Same issue on 2006.
Front end of roof also rusted out where it was folded or pressed into shape at the factory.
I just found the same issue in my ‘02 Expedition. Hadn’t driven it in years and found the roof had rusted through underneath the roof rails so I had that fixed and the whole truck repainted 3 months ago. Yesterday I noticed water was creeping in but staying on the roof inside the car like condensation, just tons of water droplets waiting to fall onto the roof liner. Looked around and found both of the side channels were splitting and lifting, so figured that was the issue and used silicone to seal. This video confirmed my suspicion, hopefully this is it.
3 Aerostars 2 Econolines ALL had same problems . Cleaning, sanding , caulking then repainting with better paints solved the problem
Hi Bill,
i got Water in my 2001 F150 since a longer period of time. It was filling up the Rocker Panel on the right Side of the Truck. I wasn´t able to find the leak. Started fixing the Windshild Rubber cause underneeth i had some drip. 2nd tried the Door Seals. Now i was about to do a Rear Window Repair/Seal Job. But Now…. I found the same Little Cracks on my Roof. Well i try this first (less expensive tho) Thanks for this good advice…..form a Pickup owner in Germany
Frank Kern glad this helped you, live your country’s beer!!!!! Take care!
Omg thankyou so much, I sealed everything possible with multiple different things, I can keep stuff in the back seat again
Happy the video helped!
Wife got home and you had to go didn't you 😆 but for more info, it's nice to clean out ALL of the seam sealer on there because adding sealant on top of a bad finish/bond will make the problem come back.
Plastikote bed liner spray works well for this
Oh, dang! I have those same cracks, and water leaks!
I'm having the same issue....Why the hell would Ford make a roof like this? Mine was leaking so bad that now my truck is mildewed. I've got to take out the rug and replace it. Thanks a lot Ford!!!
Thank you for posting this video...I have the same problem on my 2002 f150 Harley Crew Cab. My roof had small cracks in those same channels that you pointed out. I used clear RTV and it sealed it really good.
Julian Hernandez i am having the same problem but how do i remove the water? With a vacuum?
Thank you btw
I have the same truck, same problem I had it repainted and when they did that they resealed the liner for the back windshield and it solved the problem.
Thank you!! I have the exact same problem with my 2003. I'll get some caulk on those side channels.
@Loco Blanco Diablo Crakker Still no. I keep throwing more caulk on it but I need to tarp in heavy rains. I did find a tech who can fix my water damaged computer, after several others wouldn't return my calls. If the water ruins the computer, even Ford doesn't fix.
@Loco Blanco Diablo Crakker Could Flexseal be the same thing that is used on Trailer roofs? If yes I might have. My mind has been going in that sort of direction on this too, like even thinking of the torch -down vinyl covering.
@Loco Blanco Diablo Crakker It sounds good. I haven't used anything in a spray so this sounds like something new to me. The trailer roof coat is applied with a brush. So, one more check with some caulk to fill in any bigger gaps, and then this Flexseal spray sounds like the best idea.
@Loco Blanco Diablo Crakker I've been getting up to speed on it in the last hour. Thanks!!
I had same problem and used Flex Seal on the channels on my 99 F350.
Ford years ago had a slogan, Better idea from Ford. Well the engineer that came up with putting those channels bowing down should be fired. Those channels hold rain water and over time rust out your roof. They are there for strength. But could have easily made the the channels bowed up. Then the rain water would not puddle up on the roof. I have already painted my roof once and it needs painting now.
Thank you my 02 has this problem
Good video ! Very helpful. Thank you...
The roof ditch has seam seal in it. You can remove with a scrapers and replace it. 3m makes a self leveling seam sealer that works great. It won’t match since it isn’t painted but you could always use a brush and paint it with a color that close. Pretty hard to see from the ground anyways.
Great video! Very cool! Thank you!
What is that white stuff on the roof channels?? Thanks. My 2000 ford expedition is leaking through the roof console and front roof channels. I don’t have a sunroof.
My expedition just started to leak, too. I'll look for these channel cracks first...
I have a 2000 ford expedition and it has the same roof design/channels and in the front the conditions are not very good and it is raining and leaking through the roof console. What product can I use? Where can I buy it? Brand?
Ben... you can go to Lowe’s or home depot and ask for a premium exterior sealant in a tube.
@@slickwilly116 Thank you so much Bill. Happy Holidays! :)
So did mine just last week. I'm glad I found this video.
What is the brand of calk you used
Ok I'll check that
Hm. I have the same leak on the passenger side seat. It's a slow drip, nothing huge. But annoying. Same place it is leaking as well. I will need to check those channels out. I have a 2003 crew cab f150
Hey i have the same truck did you ever figure out the problem.if so please let me know
Hi Bill. Looks like some lame idiots below me are idle. I know exactly what youre talking about on the rear section of those slots where theres a slight separation. From me seeing this on my 02 crew cab its obvious ford motor used filler in those slots after they pop riveted the metal together. Mine never leaked back there but because I saw the serration occurring I simply too RV window sealing and rubbed with my finger to press it down and make it smooth as to prevent future trouble. Now to my shock all of the front slots had bubbled rust and one had two small holes. So I scared the rust off and applied rust extend treatment and then painted with my small touch up brush in that groove and over two small rust holes then let dry and put RV sealant ober the two rust holes. Heres what I would like to know. Why in the hell did ford put those stupid slots on these roofs? What is the purpose?
Spray Roof With Flex-Seal. Problem solved lol
You shouldnt have caulked the trim.. The leak is the rear windshield itself.
Jack khol , you are right !!! I have had many leaks from the rear window .. what really needs to be done is have the window seal replaced but I don't want to take the time to do it , all day project. I am just maintaining this truck for a few more months until I get a new one. I have had this truck since 2001. Thanks for the comment.
I just did mine myself last week.. Had two major leaks in the back glass (2003 F150 super cab).. It's not hard really. You take the seatbelt bolts out (47 torx), trim pops off, take the clothes hangers out , seatback off, take windshield bolts out. Use slim putty knife and get between the glass and the butyl rubber seal and break the seal all the way around. Then the tedious part is getting all the old rubber off of both the glass and the seal frame. Took about 45 minutes -1hr.. I used 3m window weld from autozone but you can use butyl rubber tape. Get a nice bead on the glass and put it back in and bolt it up.. Took me about 3 1/2 hrs.. No leaks from the back glass anymore but the weather stripping where the front door and the back suicide door come together is leaking.. Will be fixing that next. I live in Florida where it rains all the time so I gotta get it fixed.
At first I didn’t believe it, but I gave it a shot and sure enough... problem solved. Dry as a bone. Thank you Sir.
Did you silicone or caulked the trim on the passenger side as well?
Jim L yes I did
Got the same truck and the same problem
The only real way to stop your roof from leaking on your F150 is to replace the entire truck with a Silverado or Sierra
My Chevy K2500 is leaking too!