**WATER LEAK** 4Runner Unusual Footwell Water Leak Solution

<b style=font-size:24px;">Introduction</b>
Hello All, I have been losing my mind for almost a year now trying to find a water leak in my 2004 4Runner. It started off on the drivers side where the right foot would usually rest when driving about a year ago and then I noticed the left side was wet last weekend. I have taken it to a dealership, a windshield shop, and a couple of local mechanics and none could figure out this particular leak.
I read all of the forums and checked the typical spots:

• Sunroof
• Windshield seal (two holes on each side of glass that can be exposed when new windshield is installed)
• Grommet in firewall

But to my surprise none of these were the problem.
The past 3 weekends my Dad and I were trying to find this leak. We started running water at the top of the windshield on the drivers side and noticed it would leak in the car. I managed to trace where the water was coming from (or so i thought) and it looked like it was from the rubber grommet. We sealed that grommet so well it will never leak again, but water kept coming in. I gave up and cut the black rubber cover a lot so I could move it out of the way and find the culprit.
<a href="https://imgur.com/YtRRoNm"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/YtRRoNmm.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

We took the Cowell off and I noticed a few cracks on the frame of the car. It wasn't the metal but instead the factory seam sealer.
<a href="https://imgur.com/oRfebSW"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/oRfebSWm.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="https://imgur.com/Sed56SS"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Sed56SSm.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="https://imgur.com/ruRe9l3"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/ruRe9l3m.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="https://imgur.com/yUMGnUl"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/yUMGnUlm.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="https://imgur.com/udmvw5e"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/udmvw5em.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

It seems to be either a factory defect or just because of the climate we live in, the heating and cooling could've caused it to crack.

We ended up using a screw driver to pry it open, filled it with RTV Black silicone, hammered it back shut, and then put more RTV Black on top of it to ensure it won't leak anymore.

I suggest all of you check this spot on your 4Runner because it looks like it could be a problem for a lot of us in the future.

looks like the factory seam sealer cracked.did you have any rust behind there?

im going to check this out on mine and report back - thanks

JAXJeremy said:

looks like the factory seam sealer cracked.did you have any rust behind there?

Click to expand...

No rust. I was thinking when Safelite installed the windshield they could've damaged it, but most likely just because of the heat and cold from where i live it took a toll on it. I wonder what other parts of the car the seam sealer cracked

Holy shit- I hope this is what happened to mine. I took it to the dealer 5 diff times , they said they couldn't figure it out. It would absolutely soak my carpet even though it was just a tiny weep. (rains lot in Oregon)

I removed the dead pedal and peeled the carpet back, ran water over the windshield and I can see a tiny weep of water run down the foot well, but couldn't find the inlet. I too thought it was the grommet.

Summer here and its dry but car smells like mildew and was trying to solve before the rainy season comes back.
Gonna check this tmrw.
Thank you in advance.

I just purchased my 06’ SR5 and the 3rd day home I discovered it had a leak somewhere. I immediately go to T4R.org cause I want immediate resolution to my problems. Your solution in my case was the fix for my water leaking issues! Now I did not come across your post first so I was trying things others had tried and I’m surprised that so many people think that the parking break cable that runs behind the pedals is a heater core hose. Your post should be on front page stickies cause it’s definitely the solution. I used Flex seal and adjusted the rubber seal in the wiper cowl that had shifted toward the passenger side and I no longer have the leak. It may be a good idea to seal those spots prior to them leaking imo. I also want to note that mine was nowhere near as bad looking as yours. Mine was like 3 hairline cracks so I was skeptical at first, BUT THIS IS THE SOLUTION!

This solved my multi year problem.

Many many thanks.

This ought to be a sticky. !!!

Can I add that this a revelation! It's like finding El Dorado (LOL). I'll be checking mine too...

Admin... sticky this thread?!?!

Vehicle water leaks are the worst, I had one years ago I just couldn't fix.

Hopefully I never need this info but it's now logged 'upstairs' for future reference!

Thanks OP

OP you're the bomb, this is a life saver.

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We just got one of the biggest rain here in Bay Area and this was a good test for my 07 4runner. Passenger side carpet is all wet. Gotta be the same spot started leaking as I saw few drops in the lower footwell area on plastic covers.
First I didn't understand how the water could get inside. Now I know. Gonna inspect it over the weekend. Kuddos to OP!!

Bethoven said:

We just got one of the biggest rain here in Bay Area and this was a good test for my 07 4runner. Passenger side carpet is all wet. Gotta be the same spot started leaking as I saw few drops in the lower footwell area on plastic covers.
First I didn't understand how the water could get inside. Now I know. Gonna inspect it over the weekend. Kuddos to OP!!

Click to expand...

I just bought an 05 SR5 last weekend and the day after I got it home we had rain for a day and a half. I had the EXACT same issue you are describing. The carpet on the passenger side was soaked, but not higher up near the fire wall. I thought my sunroof drain may be clogged. I tested with weedwhacker line from top and it weirdly jammed, indicating a blockage maybe? After taking off the A pillar trim and passenger kick panel, I fed the line up the drain hose the opposition direction and it seemed to go all the way to the top and jam. Then I concluded the drain tube must be disconnected from the drain in the sunroof underneath the headliner. Took the sun visor and grab handle off so I could pull the headliner down just enough and BINGO!. Water was just dumping into my headliner and following the path down the A pillar to soak the carpet. Not sure if this will be the same for you, but I hope this may help someone!

Side note, no issues after re-connecting the hose. Has rained after twice now and dry as a bone inside!

Fixed my leak. It was just a clogged one side hole in the front. I replaced the rusty sunroof a few months back and probably few pieces of rust got in there and impeded the drainage. So, I cleaned those and its all dry now like a baby's diaper.