Leak in cab when raining
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99problems
New member
I've got the same issue. After a heavy rain and I get into the car and back up a rush of water comes pouring out the top of the windshield and pours onto the steering wheel and my lap. I'm thinking that heavy rain causes a build-up in the sides of the sunroof area and seemingly can't drain fast enough (drain lines are as clear as I can get them). I think it's from the sunroof surround (the fuzzy part outside of the plastic) contracting/wearing down over time and letting more rain get into the area than would have when it was newer. It also seems to leak down the driver side B pillar and soak the rear passenger footwell area pretty thoroughly. I'm trying to come up with a fix that doesn't involve sealing the sunroof shut or replacing it outright since it's $$$$$$$ as hell. This wasn't a problem in Colorado, but since moving back to the South the rain is sufficient to cause this little headache. Let me know if you find a solution.
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
If you have a sunroof, check the drains.
If you don't, check your roof rack. The bolts that hold the tracks MUST be sealed with silicone when they are put in.
If you don't, check your roof rack. The bolts that hold the tracks MUST be sealed with silicone when they are put in.
99problems
New member
I'll give this a try tomorrow when it stops raining. I'm also going to make sure the drain plugs are clear.... recommendations for cleaning them out? I'm thinking some Dawn water, can of air, and some dressing (like Armor All, not ranch).
cl4Rk
Member
I think you can snake the sunroof drains with something like weed whacker / string trimmer wire?
giguchan
Senior Member
Drain plugs... is there a "write up" anywhere on this? or is it that simple to fix
Thanks.
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
It could be the door molding if it's torn at the top. It would be pretty obvious though.
99problems
New member
Well I think I found the culprit on my end and it turned out to be a much easier fix than I imagined. I opened the sunroof and used a pump sprayer with some hot water and Dawn to test the drains. Front two drains were perfect and immediately ran free and clear out behind the front tires. Passenger side rear drain also ran a nice stream out behind the rear tire so no problems there. Driver side rear drain..... just a tiny drip between the seams in front of the rear tire. Luckily Dawn is amazing so I let it power through whatever crud was stuck in there and after a couple minutes I sprayed more hot Dawn water in the sunroof drain channel; repeat until ~10 minutes later and everything appears to be draining well. I even bought some weed whacker trim line that I won't be needing now. I'm still going to go ahead and back out the roof rack screws and add some silicone and re-tighten them down per the advice of rickmum, but this looks like it was an easy fix that I should have done a month ago. :rockon:
99problems
New member
Unscrewed the roof rack (5 torx bolts on each side) and pulled it off to reveal the nastiest bit of paint I've seen in quite a while. Got it cleaned up and ceramic coated (also cleaned and silicone sprayed the bottom of the roof rack rails) before applying a dab of silicone goop into each exposed hole and reattaching the roof rack. Picture of the grossness:
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99problems
New member
I found something even better than a write-up. Turns out Timmy made a whole how-to video on clearing the drains (and removing the headliner if you need to do that): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVJW0XM2x24&feature=emb_title
giguchan
Senior Member
Didn't know the drains were IN the Sunroof..
There's a lot i don't know about my Runner it seams... I'm going to try this..
Thanks.
phattyduck
Elite Member
Every sunroof leaks and they ALL have drains, one on each corner. It is a an issue every sunroof vehicle might have if the drains get clogged.
-Charlie
giguchan
Senior Member
I was just getting ready to say that ALL of them don't leak but then i remembered a post i once posted.
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/227851-sunroof-leak-my-turn.html?highlight=giguchan
So i guess yeah... they sure do.
Gonna try to get to the Drain thing this weekend. I know that people use Weed Wacker line.. I was wondering if a Air Compressor(not a can of Compressed air) would be a little bit more efficient.
I guess when using line you know for sure that the drain is clear.
Thanks.
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/227851-sunroof-leak-my-turn.html?highlight=giguchan
So i guess yeah... they sure do.
Gonna try to get to the Drain thing this weekend. I know that people use Weed Wacker line.. I was wondering if a Air Compressor(not a can of Compressed air) would be a little bit more efficient.
I guess when using line you know for sure that the drain is clear.
Thanks.
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If you blow too much air pressure into the sunroof drain you risk the line coming off at the sunroof assembly or it could separate at a joint/splice if they have any on that line. I'd stick with trim line
Washingtonian
New member
I had water on the front passenger floor. Found it was leaking from the rubber windshield seal. The previous owner replaced the windshield a couple of years ago. I put a few feet of black plastic electrical tape between the windshield and rubber seal and the roof and the rubber seal and it seems to have fixed it. The car is black, so not noticeable unless you look for it.
