So I got to the bottom of my droopy headliner issue(literally). It's that the sunroof gasket does not go flush when closing, it leaves a razor thin gap in 2 areas. No cracks or tears in the gasket, so my normal go-to remedy of liquid electrical tape on the spots is null & void lol.

The gasket is just dry from the sun, are there any good conditioners I can use to expand/hydrate it until I get around to replacing. It's going in the headliner shop this week & I do not want any more moisture in contact with the new lining.

If anyone has some links with the gasket that would be great as well.

Godspeed

 

The sunroof gasket is not a waterproof seal. It fills the gap but is not watertight. There are 4 drain lines in the sunroof trough that drain the water away and keep the roof liner dry. When the liner is out you will be able to see the hoses and where they run to drain. If you are getting water on the headliner then they are plugged. Make sure they are clean and free flowing before that headliner goes back in or it will get water damaged too.
I believe on you tube one of the videos for DIY headliner replacement points out the drains. You might want to look at it.

 

Yes this makes more sense as I know the smaller back piece of trim/cover where I gather the channels are located is stuck back in the roof. I am trying to fashion together a reacher/grabber from wire clothes hangers, but they're too flimsy to snag it grrr lol.

Maybe I'll just wait & notify the headliner tech & let him re-seat it as the headliner's already getting replaced & any rain from here until then won't do much more damage lol.

Edit : Finally fished it out & back in place with a curtain rod lol just going to tell the tech. to check the drains when he gets the headliner out .

I'd still like a good gasket conditioner as 15 years in the southern sun has surely taken it's toll.

 

Hi King Charles,

I use a product from Autosol called Gummi-Pflege flüssig and it works well. It is probably silicone-based and you might do just as well with a silicone rubber lubricant spray from your local auto parts store, but the "shoe polish" style applicator of the Gummi-Pflege is very handy:




Gummi-Pflege is popular in the BMW community and I buy it from Bavarian Autosports (bavauto.com).

Regarding the sunroof gasket, conditioner probably won't expand or otherwise restore its original shape and resilience. You can look up the part number at jaguarclassicparts.com (it's under "Exterior Fittings and Sunroof.") Armed with the part number, you can then look up prices at online Jaguar dealers jaguarmerriamparts.com or gaudinjaguarparts.com, who sell at discounted prices, and you can also check with our forum sponsors listed in the Vendor Directory at the right side of this page.

Cheers,

Don

 

I use plumbers silicon, then wipe it. But Don's German product looks pretty cool.

Key, tho, is to keep the drains open

 

Read Vern's post before you worry about a conditi0oner. The sunroof gasket is to reduce wind noise, not to make a water seal. Maybe the conditioner will approve appearance, but it sure will not help a water leak. The rear piece that is displaced in your car has the water trough for the rear edge of the sunroof. That is where your water is coming from.

 

I have re-seated the back piece, now I am waiting on the shop to accommodate my headliner replacement.