09-08-57-002D

File in Section:
Service Bulletin
08 - Body and Accessories
Bulletin No.:
09-08-57-002D
Date:
February, 2013
TECHNICAL
Subject:
General Water Leak Diagnostic Guide
Models:
2007-2013 Chevrolet Silverado
2007-2013 GMC Sierra
Attention: The intent of this bulletin is to provide diagnostic tips for some common areas that
may cause water leaks. Some customers may comment on a water leak from the
headliner or wet carpet at the "B" and/or "C" pillars. The headliner may be water
stained or the carpet may be wet in various locations depending on where the leak is
coming from, how the vehicle is parked, or possibly a specific driving condition.
This bulletin is being revised to add the 2013 model year, an additional Correction to
Condition #10 and Warranty Information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin
Number 09-08-57-002C (Section 08 – Body and Accessories).
NOTE: Conditions 1-8 listed below are addressing
water leaks specific to CREW CAB models
equipped with a sunroof (RPO CF5) and remaining
conditions 9-13 apply to all models. If working on a
vehicle without a sunroof, skip Conditions # 1–8
and start diagnosis with Condition # 9.
Condition
Correction Listed in
Condition #
Condition
Correction Listed in
Condition #
Water leaking at sunroof
module drain hose
connections
6
Water collecting in rear of
sunroof drain channel
7
8
Water leak past the sunroof
glass seal
1
Water leaking between
sunroof module rail and
end cap
Water collecting upper end
of rear sunroof drain tubes
2
Water found on rear floor or
rear carpet wet.
9
Water trapped lower end of
rear sunroof drain tube
3
Headliner wet or water
collected at overheard
console
10
Water not exiting rear pillar
drain hole properly
4
11
Water found in lower rear
pillar and floor area
5
After driving in rain, carpet
wet or water found on driver
side floor
Carpet wet or water found
on driver side floor
12
After driving in rain.
dampness at drivers
carpet area
13
Copyright 2013 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Page 2
February, 2013
Bulletin No.: 09-08-57-002D
Condition 1
Note: The sunroof glass panel seal is not intended to
be completely water tight, but the seal should slow any
passing water to a drip.
Excessive water may leak past the sunroof glass seal
at the corners of the glass panel.
Cause
2094566
Inspect that the rear drain tubes have adequate
downslope. If not, a foam block can be used to push the
drain tube down to provide additional downward slope
as shown above.
Condition 3
2094563
The corners of the sunroof glass seal surface may have
taken a set into an “hourglass” shape. This condition
will be visually evident if the seal looks depressed or
concave in the middle as shown above.
Correction
Important: DO NOT replace the sunroof window
assembly.
If excessive water is leaking past the sunroof glass seal
at the corners of the glass panel, inspect the condition
of the seal at each corner. If the seal exhibits the
depressed or concave appearance noted above,
replace the sunroof glass panel seal. Refer to
Corporate Bulletin Number 08-08-67-006 for additional
repair information, if needed.
Water becomes trapped in the lower end of a rear
sunroof drain tube and is not draining properly into the
rear pillar cavity.
Cause
In some cases, the drain tube may be too long and the
end of the tube bottoms out against the foam in the rear
pillar.
Correction
Condition 2
Water is backing up/collecting in the upper end of the
rear sunroof drain tubes.
Cause
The rear drain tubes may not have adequate downward
slope.
Correction
Important: After completing the repair below, review
Condition 3. Make sure that after pushing the drain tube
down, the end of the tube is not bottomed out against
the foam in the bottom of the rear pillar cavity.
2094567
Shorten the drain tube by cutting the end of the drain
tube off to provide additional clearance as shown
above.
Bulletin No.: 09-08-57-002D
February, 2013
Condition 4
Page 3
Correction
Note: During normal water management, the rear
sunroof drain tubes empty into the rear pillar cavity and
the water then exits the pillar cavity through a
drain hole.
Water is not exiting the rear pillar cavity drain hole
properly. If the water cannot drain from the pillar cavity,
the water may leak onto the floor and dampen the
carpet.
Cause
2094574
1. Inspect the corner where the rear pillar and floor
meet for any voids in the seam sealer as shown above.
If a void is found, fill it with seam sealer Kent
Automotive High-Tech Clear Sealer Part
Number P10200 (5 oz. tube) or equivalent.
2094570
The rear pillar cavity drain hole may be plugged/
blocked with foam as shown above. This may have
been the result of the foam expanding too much during
vehicle assembly.
Correction
Important: The reason for staying within one inch of
the perimeter of the pillar is that there is a plastic block
located under the foam and it is very difficult to pierce
through it with a screwdriver.
Create a drain hole in the foam block using a long
screwdriver (1). The hole can be made anywhere within
a one inch perimeter of the pillar cavity (EXCEPT for
the inboard side of the pillar), and would be more
effective if made in a low spot where the drain tube (2)
empties into the cavity as shown above.
Condition 5
Water may be found in the lower rear pillar and floor
area. Water may be entering at the corner where the
rear pillar and floor meet, and/or the two bottom holes
in the pillar that align and secure the pillar trim panel.
Cause
Insufficient body sealer may be the cause.
2094572
2. Install a butyl patch (sound deadener pad) over the
two bottom holes of the rear pillar as shown above.
When reinstalling the pillar trim panel, the retainers will
pierce through the butyl patch and provide an adequate
seal. Kent Automotive is one of the known sources for
this patch. Contact Kent Automotive at
1-888-YES-KENT to obtain Kent P/N KT13306 or
equivalent.
Page 4
February, 2013
Condition 6
Bulletin No.: 09-08-57-002D
Cause
Water may be leaking at the connections of the sunroof
drain hoses to the sunroof module.
Cause
The connection may not be secure enough to prevent
the passing water from leaking through the connection.
Correction
Inspect for water leaks around the drain hose to
sunroof connections. If the connection between the
drain hose and sunroof is leaking, remove the hose and
apply a bead of Kent Automotive High-Tech Clear
Sealer (Part Number P10200 5 oz. tube) or equivalent,
around the sunroof nipple and reinstall the drain hose.
Condition 7
2094578
During the manufacturing process, excess sealer may
have squeezed out between the black plastic end cap
(gutter) and the sunroof rail. Any excess sealer may
create a dam, or block the nipple, and prevent the water
from draining freely, as shown above.
Correction
To correct the concern, simply remove any excess
sealer.
Condition 8
2094580
Note: The area marked (2) in the above graphic is the
sunroof drain channel. Any water that gets past the
glass seal is routed through the drain tubes. The area
marked (3) is the sunroof mechanism track and no
water should be in this area. If there is water in area (3)
it will leak out between the end cap and side rail
because the end cap is not sealed in this area. If water
is in area (3) this could be caused by one or more of the
conditions previously listed in this document.
Water may be collecting in the rear of the sunroof drain
channel (2).
2094580
Water may be leaking between the sunroof side rail and
the black plastic rear end cap (gutter) where it attaches
to the side rail as shown above (1).
Bulletin No.: 09-08-57-002D
February, 2013
Page 5
Cause
Insufficient sealer or an improper sealant path may be
the cause.
Correction
If water is NOT getting into area (3) noted above, but IS
leaking between the rear end cap and side rails, then
remove and re-install the end cap using the following
steps.
1. Remove the sunroof frame from the vehicle. Refer
to Sunroof Frame Replacement in SI.
2. Disengaging the retaining tabs on the outboard
side, remove the end cap from the sunroof frame
side rail.
3. Clean any old sealer from the end cap and rail
using Kent Automotive Acrysol™, or equivalent.
Important: If the end cap is damaged and cannot be
reinstalled, replace the end cap (gutter) only. It is NOT
necessary to replace the sunroof frame assembly.
4. Inspect the end cap. In most cases the end cap
can be reinstalled, however if damaged, replace
the end cap (gutter) only.
2236617
5. Using Kent Automotive High-Tech Clear Sealer
(Part Number P10200 5 oz. tube), or equivalent,
apply a 6-8 mm (0.236-0.315 in) bead of new
sealer (1) to the end cap in order to reseal the end
cap to the side rail. Ensure sealant is applied to the
upstanding walls (2). This will ensure no overflow
of water seeps into the mechanism track.
6. Install the end cap to the side rail. Smooth out any
sealer that may have squeezed out so there is a
smooth transition between the end cap and rail,
and that water will not dam up or block the nipple
opening.
2226542
Note: Prior to end cap installation, ensure that the new
sealer is applied in the location/path noted by the green
color shown above.
2236621
7. After installation, apply a second smaller bead of
sealer to the top side of the end cap, where the
plastic (1) meets the metal (2).
Page 6
February, 2013
Bulletin No.: 09-08-57-002D
Correction
2236625
Tip: Apply sealant to all the interfacing areas noted
above.
8. Reinstall the sunroof frame. Refer to Sunroof
Frame Replacement in SI.
9. Water test to confirm that the water leak has been
corrected.
The following non-sunroof related conditions are
listed in order from most frequently found to least.
Condition 9
Water may be found on the rear floor of the vehicle and/
or the rear carpet may be wet. In extreme
circumstances, this condition may sometimes lead to a
possible no start, due to remote control door lock
receiver (RCDLR) connector corrosion.
Cause
Water may be entering the vehicle through the center
high mounted stop lamp (CHSML) opening, and may
leak down the B and/or C-pillars.
2407759
Lower the headliner and water test by running water
onto the outer CHSML area while looking to verify any
leak path down the B or C pillars. Seal by removing and
cleaning the CHMSL, then applying a bead of
Kent Automotive High-Tech Clear Sealer (Part
Number P10200 5 oz. tube), or equivalent, along the
outer edge of lamp surface so that it provides an
adequate seal between the body and the lamp housing.
Reinstall the CHMSL, remove any excess sealant and
reinstall the headliner.
Condition 10
The headliner may be wet, or water may collect on the
headliner at the overhead console. In some instances,
water may possibly be seen dripping from the overhead
map lights.
Cause 1
Note: This condition is specific to 2500/3500 HD
models only, which come with optional roof clearance
(roof marker) lamps.
Water may be entering the vehicle through the one of
the roof marker lamp openings. A water leak at the
larger center lamp is most prevalent.
Bulletin No.: 09-08-57-002D
February, 2013
Correction 1
Page 7
Lower the headliner and water test the roof/windshield
area at the rearview mirror or the front right side. Once
the leak path is verified, apply a bead of Kent
Automotive High-Tech Clear Sealer (Part
Number P10200 5 oz. tube), or equivalent, to the
outside of the roof panel seam and reinstall the
headliner.
Condition 11
Carpet may be wet or water may be found on the driver
side floor area, which only occurs after the vehicle is
driven in the rain or in wet road conditions.
Cause
This condition may be the result of an improperly
seated parking brake cable grommet.
Correction
2407762
Lower the headliner and water test the roof lamps area
to verify the leak path. Remove and clean the affected
lamp, then apply a bead of Kent Automotive High-Tech
Clear Sealer (Part Number P10200 5 oz. tube), or
equivalent, along the outer edge of lamp surface so that
it provides an adequate seal between the body and the
lamp housing. Reinstall the lamp assembly, remove
any excess sealant and reinstall the headliner.
Cause 2
Note: This condition is specific to 1500 models only.
Water may be entering the vehicle through a burn hole
in the forward seam above the windshield, where the
roof panels are welded together.
Correction 2
2407753
Remove the left side hinge pillar trim panel and position
the carpet to expose the park brake cable pass-through
grommet (1).
3273575
Page 8
February, 2013
Bulletin No.: 09-08-57-002D
2413847
Verify the leak concern by spraying water on the
underside of the vehicle towards the parking brake
cable grommet (1) on the front of dash (FOD). If a leak
is evident, then properly install the brake cable
grommet so it is fully seated to the front of dash (FOD).
If no leak is evident at the brake cable grommet,
continue on to Condition 12.
Condition 12
Carpet may be wet or water may be found on the driver
side floor area.
Cause
2413849
The water leak may be due to a lack of sealer (or voids
in the sealer) at the seams of the front cowl area and
front of dash (FOD), behind the left front fender. The
above graphic shows two examples of seams missing
sealer. (The position of seams 1 and 2, in relationship
to each other, is shown clearer in the graphic below).
Bulletin No.: 09-08-57-002D
February, 2013
Correction
Page 9
Correction
2413851
2407756
Remove the left front fender from the vehicle. Visually
inspect and water test the cowl seams (1 and 2) noted
in the above graphic, to verify the leak path. Seal the
body seam by applying Kent Automotive High-Tech
Clear Sealer (Part Number P10200 5 oz. tube), or
equivalent, from outside the vehicle. Repeat water test
to verify leak has been corrected, then reinstall the left
fender.
Remove the seat assembly and water test by spraying
the underside of vehicle at the seat studs and watching
for water to wick up the studs. Seal the studs from
inside vehicle by applying Kent Automotive High-Tech
Clear Sealer (Part Number P10200 5 oz. tube), or
equivalent, around the stud base/floor interface.
Reposition the carpet/trim and reinstall the seat.
Condition 13
Parts Information
Water dampness noted on driver's carpet area, only
occurring after the vehicle is driven in the rain or in wet
road conditions.
Cause
Water may be traveling/wicking up the drivers front seat
studs due to a poor seal at the stud locations.
Contact Kent Automotive at 1-888-YES-KENT or online
at www.kent-automotive.com.
Part Number
Description
Qty
P/N KT13306
Kent
Automotive-Sound
Deadener Pads
12 per box
P/N P10200
Kent Automotive
High-Tech Clear Sealer
5 oz. tube
Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use the
appropriate labor operation for the repair performed.
Labor
Operation
Description
C1440
Sunroof Window
Weatherstrip
Replacement
B2849
Sunroof Drain
Inspection and
Cleaning
B5410
Body Joint Resealing
GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.
Labor Time
Use Published
Labor
Operation Time
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