Vibe/Matrix Cheap Windshield Leak Fix

This is like 4 years in the making, I finally figured out the fix, although I technically ruined my cars sun roof in the process. Thankfully I have a plan to not only fix the sunroof but also fix the bad paint on this car, but that will have to wait for another day.
On these cars it seems the leak from the roof is one of two areas, and most people pointed to the interior gutter system, the tubes that allow rain water to bypass the sun roof seal and drain back to the ground. I remember testing all of those several years ago and none of them were clogged.
I was dealing with some health issues in 2019, thats why I siliconed my sun roof shut because I figured I needed to pull the headliner down and I just wasnt well enough at the time to do so. I then discovered, and testing that th sunroof was in fact sealed, that water was STILL coming into the car. Thats when I read on the Vibe Matrix forum, someone said the windshield seal can go bad.
I know this was highly likely because my rear hatch window seals are bad as well but they dont leak this badly.
So hopefully the video makes sense. I wasnt planning on making a video, i just happened to take some photos a long the way.

[@loubino18]

My Matrix too - 1st gen (2003); was happening for a while but my son didn't mention until I inherited it back. Great appreciate your efforts to share this info - driving me crazy!! Thx again!!

[@therealmichaelphelps]

yeah that corner of the windshield i was surprised to see how big the gap was and the first few inches across the top wasnt sealing at all, i am sure other matrix and vibes are having the same problem too

[@r.t.7925]

Tanks for the info. My Matrix is leaking to 😢

[@therealmichaelphelps]

your welcome!

[@edbrandt8972]

fyi, I have another car that had a leaking sun roof. I did not try to seal it shut. One issue is that the drain tubes from the sunroof can shrink over time and get disconnected. And changing the sunroof seal sometimes stops a leak. It worked for me on my Volvo C30.

[@therealmichaelphelps]

i had diagnosed all of the possibilities for the sunroof on my car, i actually made a huge mistake of sealing the sunroof, and yet water was still leaking in, thats when i discovered the leak had nothing to do with the sunroof drain tubes, i actually tested all of the drain tubes and didnt see a single leak, but i did see in the corners of the windshield and how they were lifting away from the body, and many people in vibe/matrix forums said that does happen on these cars.

[@edbrandt8972]

@@therealmichaelphelps I have a warranty on my windshield so long as the issue is not rust. I am hoping that the seal is just coming undone where it is leaking. I had a major windshield leak on my Volvo. The seal on that windshield was coming apart all over so the leaks were massive. I emailed Volvo and they agreed to give me a free goodwill windshield so long as the local Volvo dealer agreed the seal was defective. I don't think GM would do that for you assuming it's your original windshield.

[@therealmichaelphelps]

@@edbrandt8972 I would be surprised to see GM do anything for a 21 year old car post warranty lol

[@edbrandt8972]

similar issue on my 2003 Vibe. I had the windshield replaced over 3 years ago. I think it is leaking from the center of the windshield above the rear view mirror. Did you just use that Flexshot product?

[@therealmichaelphelps]

yeah i used the clear flexshot silicone, it was way better than any clear silicone ive used. I had to redo my shower multiple times because i couldnt find a good silicone that was strong enough and this stuff is incredibly strong and its been through another wet winter and still no leaks

[@edbrandt8972]

@@therealmichaelphelps I will go to the shop that replaced it and see if they will honor their warranty.

[@MrCleanundies]

This is a quick fix. However, if you need a windshield replacement at some point, the technician may decline to do the job due to the sylicone being a contaminant. Urithane used in windshield installation does not bond well with sylicone, and in some cases, the sylicone can deteriorate the existing urithane, making the leak worse.

[@therealmichaelphelps]

the sealant i used isnt exactly a silicone but good to know, and this isnt getting a new windshield for a long time anyways