FIXED: Firewall Grommet Leak (Driver’s Side)

[BamaDrewski]

Like many of us, we have run auxiliary cables for power, off-road lights, etc, through the rubber grommet on the driver’s side firewall (see pic).

I have read where others have noticed water in the driver’s side floorboard and often, it is due to water leaking through any additional holes we put in this grommet. (Sometimes clogged drains in the roof but in my case, the drains are all clear) THE BIGGER PROBLEM is the way water drips down from the cowl and DIRECTLY all over this grommet. (See the red arrow on the pic)

Rather than pack a bunch of caulk in there, on a whim, I took a piece of foam (see pic) I had and made a “drip flange” and tucked underneath the driver’s end of the cowl. (I just wanted to see if it would work)

I am happy to report that after considerable rain storms and lots of water coming down, I checked the floorboard and no water! I knew it was coming through the grommet as I sprayed some soapy water around it and traced it as it ran down the firewall into the passenger side floor board.

Simple fix and the material could be better (flat plastic or metal) but this was just a test. Thought I would share.

 

[habanero]

Nice, at least for auto trans, and much simpler than what I did, which makes it even better.

 

[mtbtim]

This is brilliant fix. Just route the water elsewhere away from the grommet. Problem solved.

 

[weekendclimber]

Trying this today! I've got a bunch of relays attached right there on the pinch weld above the grommet, otherwise you could possibly attach something there.

 

[BamaDrewski]

This is brilliant fix. Just route the water elsewhere away from the grommet. Problem solved.

Thanks man...no one has ever referred to me as "brilliant" but this seemed like a practical solution to the problem. (Works for me anyways....)

As Little Caesar creeps around all my posts....I will give LiquiMoly the credit....LOL (Just ragging on you LittleCaesar before you rag on me....)

Seriously, as stupid and as simple as it seems, it DOES WORK. No more water in the driver's side floorpan......

 

[cblock406]

I have fought with leaks ever since I got my 4Runner, since we get so much rain in the winter time around Seattle. I had the windshield seals replaced, silicone'd the grommet, silicone the rubber floor plugs under the carpet, always make sure my sunroof drains are cleared etc etc

I just noticed the other day the floor was a damp under the carpet after thinking the last couple years I had fixed it. I'm going to try this and I will feel really silly if this was all I needed to fix it. Thanks for posting it!

 

[BamaDrewski]

I have fought with leaks ever since I got my 4Runner, since we get so much rain in the winter time around Seattle. I had the windshield seals replaced, silicone'd the grommet, silicone the rubber floor plugs under the carpet, always make sure my sunroof drains are cleared etc etc

I just noticed the other day the floor was a damp under the carpet after thinking the last couple years I had fixed it. I'm going to try this and I will feel really silly if this was all I needed to fix it. Thanks for posting it!

Hope it works for you man. I just looked through your "build thread" and HOLY SMOKES! You're T4R has been through hell. Never in a million years could I imagine a couple of homeless druggies stealing my rig and living in it for a couple of weeks! UNREAL! It does look great now man....kudos on all the work you did!

 

[cblock406]

Hope it works for you man. I just looked through your "build thread" and HOLY SMOKES! You're T4R has been through hell. Never in a million years could I imagine a couple of homeless druggies stealing my rig and living in it for a couple of weeks! UNREAL! It does look great now man....kudos on all the work you did!

Thanks! I was furious when it happened but after I settled down I was just happy we got it back. It sucked, but could have been worse too. I used it as a "challenge" to see if I could get it back into better shape than it was before it was stolen. For the most part it is now.

 

[atcpup]

Like many of us, we have run auxiliary cables for power, off-road lights, etc, through the rubber grommet on the driver’s side firewall (see pic).

I have read where others have noticed water in the driver’s side floorboard and often, it is due to water leaking through any additional holes we put in this grommet. (Sometimes clogged drains in the roof but in my case, the drains are all clear) THE BIGGER PROBLEM is the way water drips down from the cowl and DIRECTLY all over this grommet. (See the red arrow on the pic)

Rather than pack a bunch of caulk in there, on a whim, I took a piece of foam (see pic) I had and made a “drip flange” and tucked underneath the driver’s end of the cowl. (I just wanted to see if it would work)

I am happy to report that after considerable rain storms and lots of water coming down, I checked the floorboard and no water! I knew it was coming through the grommet as I sprayed some soapy water around it and traced it as it ran down the firewall into the passenger side floor board.

Simple fix and the material could be better (flat plastic or metal) but this was just a test. Thought I would share.

Can you repost the pic, I can't see it. I'm fairly certain the pic was working a month or so ago.

 

[4runner206]

Like many of us, we have run auxiliary cables for power, off-road lights, etc, through the rubber grommet on the driver’s side firewall (see pic).

I have read where others have noticed water in the driver’s side floorboard and often, it is due to water leaking through any additional holes we put in this grommet. (Sometimes clogged drains in the roof but in my case, the drains are all clear) THE BIGGER PROBLEM is the way water drips down from the cowl and DIRECTLY all over this grommet. (See the red arrow on the pic)

Rather than pack a bunch of caulk in there, on a whim, I took a piece of foam (see pic) I had and made a “drip flange” and tucked underneath the driver’s end of the cowl. (I just wanted to see if it would work)

I am happy to report that after considerable rain storms and lots of water coming down, I checked the floorboard and no water! I knew it was coming through the grommet as I sprayed some soapy water around it and traced it as it ran down the firewall into the passenger side floor board.

Simple fix and the material could be better (flat plastic or metal) but this was just a test. Thought I would share.

Yeah re-adding images would be super helpful!!

 

[mrojas]

Pics

No reposts on pics yet? Having this issue on 2020

 

[Limoncho]

Like many of us, we have run auxiliary cables for power, off-road lights, etc, through the rubber grommet on the driver’s side firewall (see pic).

I have read where others have noticed water in the driver’s side floorboard and often, it is due to water leaking through any additional holes we put in this grommet. (Sometimes clogged drains in the roof but in my case, the drains are all clear) THE BIGGER PROBLEM is the way water drips down from the cowl and DIRECTLY all over this grommet. (See the red arrow on the pic)

Rather than pack a bunch of caulk in there, on a whim, I took a piece of foam (see pic) I had and made a “drip flange” and tucked underneath the driver’s end of the cowl. (I just wanted to see if it would work)

I am happy to report that after considerable rain storms and lots of water coming down, I checked the floorboard and no water! I knew it was coming through the grommet as I sprayed some soapy water around it and traced it as it ran down the firewall into the passenger side floor board.

Simple fix and the material could be better (flat plastic or metal) but this was just a test. Thought I would share.

Would you upload the pictures again?

 

[phattyduck]

Would you upload the pictures again?

Here is the grommet he is talking about:

The low spot in the lip above it is right above the grommet and water pours down right on the grommet in the rain.

-Charlie