Roof leak? - Toyota 4Runner Forum

mendozer · 05-06-2024, 01:10 PM

I just noticed the roof liner above the driver side wet and extending toward the back seat but no obvious leak. I tried uploading photos but it wouldn't work. Nothing looks weird at the roof rack or the sunroof

Offroad Alliance · 05-06-2024, 01:43 PM

check the drain for the sunroof. get a cup of water and open the sunroof, pour a little down the sides where the drains are and see if it backs up or causes the inside to drip/leak. Those commonly get clogged with debris and will cause leaks (although usually down in the floors not the headliner). If its not that, you could back the roof rack bolts out and put some sealant on those bolts and retorque them down.

Twisted Sid · 05-06-2024, 03:54 PM

I had a small leak in my sunroof and it ended up being the black plastic surround/gasket had cracked right in the front above the controls.
I "temporarily" foil taped it and flex sealed over that because of days of rain still to come and it hasn't leaked since so it's now a permanent fix

Riceye · 05-06-2024, 04:23 PM

Lift the floor mat on the driver's side. The carpet beneath may well be wet, also. Mine is. I just cleaned my drains last week. I'm waiting for a dry spell to pull the seats and center console and remove the carpeting for pressure washing on the driveway. I'll probably have some rust to address when I'm under there, as well.

While you're at it, clean up the rubber sealing surface on the perimeter of the sunroof along with the painted surface of the roof where the seal mates. Mine took some scrubbing with a microfiber cloth and window cleaner spray. It was quite grungy.

mtbtim has a great video showing how to check and clear the drains.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qalXo4etX3Q&t=6s

Brutus H · 05-07-2024, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twisted Sid

I had a small leak in my sunroof and it ended up being the black plastic surround/gasket had cracked right in the front above the controls.
I "temporarily" foil taped it and flex sealed over that because of days of rain still to come and it hasn't leaked since so it's now a permanent fix

This is where my problem is and I just wasn't able to fix it correctly, so I sealed it with some caulk. Hate that I can't use my sunroof currently.

weberlukas74 · 05-07-2024, 09:59 PM

Leaks can sometimes come from other spots like door seals or the windshield. Maybe, check those areas. Also, if the sunroof drainage channels are blocked, water can find its way into unexpected places. Have you cleared them out lately?

mendozer · 05-09-2024, 01:41 AM

I didn't know checking these drains was even a thing. I've owned it since 2015 and never done that. i'll check when i get a chance. No floor mat water, only roof liner.

and i don't have factory roof racks, i riveted my own rails for rhino rack

phattyduck · 05-09-2024, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mendozer

I didn't know checking these drains was even a thing. I've owned it since 2015 and never done that. i'll check when i get a chance. No floor mat water, only roof liner.

and i don't have factory roof racks, i riveted my own rails for rhino rack

Making sure the drains are clear is a thing with EVERY sunroof vehicle. ALL sunroofs leak, at least a bit - the drains are required to be clear or you will have problems.

-Charlie

diverscale · 05-09-2024, 04:02 PM

I had the same problem as OP and the solution was to remove the roof rails or rack, and apply silicone to every screw and into the hole threads before putting it back. It was leaking from the roof screws and it was leaking a lot during heavy rain.

mendozer · 05-11-2024, 05:44 PM

i riveted the rails down to the roof and siliconed it when i put it on 7 yrs ago. I don't think those rivets are coming out.

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