1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Solar Roof and top glass gasket deterioration

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by unclebullmoose, Mar 4, 2020.

  1. unclebullmoose

    unclebullmoose Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2011
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Wadsworth, Oh
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    We have a 2013 Prius IV with a solar roof. The glass in front of the moon roof and the moon roof seals had apparently dry rotted sitting in the sun for the last 3 years. Toyota says that the seal on both of the glasses are part of the glass.
    Has anyone had this issue and is there a easier fix. Don't plan on replacing glass that is not broken.
    Plan on going to glass repair shop to see if something can be done there. Would appreciate any good ideas
    from all of you prius folks.
    Thanks.

    Unclebullmoose
     
  2. pjksr02

    pjksr02 Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2009
    532
    225
    2
    Location:
    Connecticut
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    A glass shop could probably replace the rubber (weatherstripping, sort of). Is the rubber cracked? If not, it might benefit from something like 303 Aerospace Protectant, or another plasticizer product. I've used 303 on all my rubber seals (and hoses, bushings, etc) for years, and it works to keep them flexible and prevents drying..
     
  3. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,105
    10,039
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,674
    38,219
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    ^ Yeah, you're not alone. :mad:
     
  5. unclebullmoose

    unclebullmoose Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2011
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Wadsworth, Oh
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Thanks for all the ideas. I thought originally that it was just weather stripping. I plan to go to Advanced Auto Glass to see what they say. If they can't do anything I plan on cutting away the old stripping and trying my own repair.
    Toyota wants $691.00 for the front glass and almost $1100.00 for the moon roof.
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,674
    38,219
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    And in another 3 years, might be the same story. Unless they've quietly tweaked the weather stripping.
     
  7. Thankfl

    Thankfl New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2023
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    That's it? No solution. Isn't there a part number for just the rubber strip?
    I don't have $1000 to have a new roof put in and that is robbery.stealerships know it too.
     
  8. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,105
    10,039
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    My 'solution', so far, has been to just remove the entire rubber strip and do without.

    Still waiting for something better, but not in an urgent rush to find it.