Leaky roof- tackle on my own or dealer or elsewhere?

[shawner2713]

Hey guys, just got back from Moab and I've got some pics of my first off-road adventure in my 01' 4runner ever which I'll post elsewhere but... before I drove out there I noticed a leak after a car wash near the rear window. I'm assuming it's due to a broken seal along the factory roof rack somewhere, but I'm not sure. Is this something I could figure out and fix on my own being fairly handy and capable in my mind, or should I just take it to the dealer or somewhere else to get it fixed. It's left water stains on a portion of my headliner in the rear- some of which I'm hoping will come out. I'm just before my fiirst job right now so I'm short of money for the next few weeks which isi why I'd like to fix it on my own- plus I'm frugal (cheap).

I've never removed a roof rack before- is it difficult?

If anyone thinks I'd have to remove the headliner to solve the issue, I'd rather not mess with that....

 

[drmorbius]

Hey guys, just got back from Moab and I've got some pics of my first off-road adventure in my 01' 4runner ever which I'll post elsewhere but... before I drove out there I noticed a leak after a car wash near the rear window. I'm assuming it's due to a broken seal along the factory roof rack somewhere, but I'm not sure. Is this something I could figure out and fix on my own being fairly handy and capable in my mind, or should I just take it to the dealer or somewhere else to get it fixed. It's left water stains on a portion of my headliner in the rear- some of which I'm hoping will come out. I'm just before my fiirst job right now so I'm short of money for the next few weeks which isi why I'd like to fix it on my own- plus I'm frugal (cheap).

I've never removed a roof rack before- is it difficult?

If anyone thinks I'd have to remove the headliner to solve the issue, I'd rather not mess with that....

Beautiful pictures! The roof rack on your 01 looks similar to my 04 in that they use plastic snap on covers. I have not taken mine apart but I have one cracked cover on mine and they price it at $54.00 each, so be careful removing these! With the cover off, the screws holding the rack on are visible and I think it would be pretty straight forward from there. Good luck.

 

[004Gunner]

Do you have a sunroof as well?

 

[shawner2713]

I do have a sunroof and understand it could also be the drain system from that...but I don't see any tubes to try and unclog, nor does the seal around the sunroof seem leaky- but maybe it is.

 

[004Gunner]

There are 4 tubes, one at each corner, to drain. The sunroof always "leaks" even when brand new and functioning normally, which is why the drains are there. If one drain is clogged it may have too much water for the other 3 to redirect and cause an overflow. The only way to be certain of the cause is to remove the headliner (sorry) and watch the water flow through the tubes. However, first and foremost I would open the sunroof and ensure the 4 drain holes in the drip guards are not clogged. They are fairly small and would only need a little bit of debris to clog. Additionally, I do not believe the roof rack and its mounting points have any way to allow water in.

 

[shawner2713]

I tested both of the front sunroof drains, and they work well- draining quickly out the bottom of the truck. I can't see or pour water down the rear drains though...Any idea how to see them or pour some water down there to see if I can see the exit point underneat the truck and determine the flow in each drain?

 

[004Gunner]

You can probably see the rear drains with the glass removed. The glass is easily removed with only 4 bolts holding it on. Remove the 2 black plastic side garnishes (1 on passenger side, 1 on driver side) and that will give you access to the 4 bolts. That is of course if you can't observe or test the rear drains any other way. Just parking on an upward slope should move the water to the rear drains though.