Fixing roof cable grommet seal

[OtterCali]

Hi,
Owner of a 2015 SE here. I popped the roof up today to check the drain holes after finding a puddle in the driver’s footwell after heavy rain. Sure enough, the offside front drain was blocked. After clearing it with a squirt of warm water it is now draining nicely from the wheel arch. However, I noticed the cables on this side of the roof are not properly sealed to the rubber grommet (see pictures). For whatever reason, the seal is incomplete. I suspect this might have been the source of the water ingress. The seal on the other side is fine.

My plan is to seal the end to the grommet by wrapping it in self-amalgamating tape (after it has thoroughly dried out in the sun). Does that sound like a sensible course of action? Just wanted to check with the experts before committing to anything!

 

[WelshGas]

Hi,
Owner of a 2015 SE here. I popped the roof up today to check the drain holes after finding a puddle in the driver’s footwell after heavy rain. Sure enough, the offside front drain was blocked. After clearing it with a squirt of warm water it is now draining nicely from the wheel arch. However, I noticed the cables on this side of the roof are not properly sealed to the rubber grommet (see pictures). For whatever reason, the seal is incomplete. I suspect this might have been the source of the water ingress. The seal on the other side is fine.

My plan is to seal the end to the grommet by wrapping it in self-amalgamating tape (after it has thoroughly dried out in the sun). Does that sound like a sensible course of action? Just wanted to check with the experts before committing to anything!

View attachment 136966

View attachment 136967

That sounds reasonable but I would be concerned about disturbing the connection trying to get tape around the joint. Personally I would put a straw/ tube into the drain opening. Use mastic to secure and waterproof the join and remove the straw/tube carefully by rotating and pulling it clear before the sealant is totally dry.

 

[OtterCali]

That sounds reasonable but I would be concerned about disturbing the connection trying to get tape around the joint. Personally I would put a straw/ tube into the drain opening. Use mastic to secure and waterproof the join and remove the straw/tube carefully by rotating and pulling it clear before the sealant is totally dry.

Thanks Welshgas, that makes sense.

 

[OtterCali]

That sounds reasonable but I would be concerned about disturbing the connection trying to get tape around the joint. Personally I would put a straw/ tube into the drain opening. Use mastic to secure and waterproof the join and remove the straw/tube carefully by rotating and pulling it clear before the sealant is totally dry.

Welshgas - any particular type of mastic you would recommend, or just general purpose black silicone?

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Welshgas - any particular type of mastic you would recommend, or just general purpose black silicone?

The sealant on my van here looks like CT1 Tribrid:

Amazon.co.uk

The @WelshGas straw/tube trick might benefit from coating their external surface with some form of release silicone or similar lubricant.

 

[WelshGas]

Welshgas - any particular type of mastic you would recommend, or just general purpose black silicone?

Any external grade sealant - Black Gutter sealant/mastic found in B&Q or similar hardware stores.