Roof Leak - 2004 SR5 drivers side

[corduroy]

Hi All, happy new year. I could use some help finding the source of a roof leak on my 2004 SR5. The leak in on the drivers side. Water comes in from the sunglass compartment and the seat belt is wet. I do not have a sun roof and have a stock roof rack. The 1st spot I checked was the roof rack bolts. I removed all 8 bolts, cleaned out the channels, put silicone around the white tubes, on the bolts, and on the bottom of roof rack feet that make contact with the roof. I knew it was going to rain hard last night, so I put a towel over the center console and this morning the towel and drivers side seat is wet. Any advice where to look next? Thanks in advance.

**just replying back to help others -- It ended up being a leak in the windshield. Once that was replaced no more water in the cabin. I actually sold it and got a 2021 SR5 2WD premium. Such a nice upgrade!

 

[wcjeep]

Have a friend use a garden hose outside while you look inside the vehicle. Do not use high pressure. Meaning no nozzle. Just straight out of the hose. Have the assistant cover one area a few minutes at a time. Recommend performing this at your normal parking spot.

 

[corduroy]

Great idea! I believe that I found the problem area. The leak appears when I apply water on this circled location or behind the rack mount. Time to find new seals.

 

[eleven14]

Great idea! I believe that I found the problem area. The leak appears when I apply water on this circled location or behind the rack mount. Time to find new seals.

Nice. Post back if you find/replace the seal, I'm thinking this is going to become more and more necessary. Although it's not leaking, my seals are buckling like yours on my 2008...

 

[corduroy]

I found it for my 2004. These pns may not be the same for other models. I am going to get 3 parts. Left, right, center reveal.

 

[AuSeeker]

I found it for my 2004. These pns may not be the same for other models. I am going to get 3 parts. Left, right, center reveal.

I'm just guessing here..BUT those moldings aren't going to completely reseal where it's leaking, it may require some sealant under them to stop the leaking...But I could be wrong.

 

[blackjackck]

Also

Great idea! I believe that I found the problem area. The leak appears when I apply water on this circled location or behind the rack mount. Time to find new seals.

Good find, you think the water is going underneath the windshield? if so the adheasive to the windshield may need to be looked at.

 

[inscarguy]

Not too be over critical but clean your roof.and areas around it. If the painted areas look like that, under the moldings could be worse. The areas under that molding do not lead into the vehicle unless you have rot or missing, dried out urethane. Also unless you park on an in cline with the back end facing down that area would leak on the dash not the console or seat belt. Remember water follows the path of least resistance.

I've had those moldings off many times and there is nothing under there, it's just trim. If you are leaking that high and in that area, my guess is under the roof rack rail moldings is dirty and it's blocking a path for water to flow and its backing up somewhere. Also take out the silicone and use Strip Caulk by 3m or some equivalent product. Strip caulk is what Toyota used. Silicone was not made to be used in that area and there could be a pinhole somewhere in the silicone.

I took my roof rack off to put on a Sport rack and under the moldings was beyond filthy.

 

[corduroy]

I had a windshield person take a look at it and those moldings on the outside of the windshield are not a water seal, they are cosmetic. There is urethane/sealant that goes around the windshield that I cannot see. There may be frame rust under the windshield. There may be a break in the sealant adhesive where it was not seamed properly. Only way to determine that is to remove the windshield which may crack when they do that. I did notice that under the roof rack was very dirty. I cleaned under the mounts but could do better elsewhere. I may take the rack off completely and put the plugs in.

 

[VUBAR]

Please keep us posted. I have the same problem after heavy rainfall. A lot of water coming through the dome light and into the center console/shifter.

 

[BB_2005]

With sun/moonroof equipped vehicles, it's always a good idea to check the drain tubes for the moonroof area. I think most of the time manufacturers will run them down next to the windshield. I'm pretty sure that's how these roof systems drain out but I'm not sure how far down they go. I believe if you look at the forward part with the moonroof open (slid back), you should see one on each side of the front plastic under where the roof would be

I think if you're getting water in the roof center compartment, it might in part have something to do with this.

 

[AuSeeker]

With sun/moonroof equipped vehicles, it's always a good idea to check the drain tubes for the moonroof area. I think most of the time manufacturers will run them down next to the windshield. I'm pretty sure that's how these roof systems drain out but I'm not sure how far down they go. I believe if you look at the forward part with the moonroof open (slid back), you should see one on each side of the front plastic under where the roof would be

I think if you're getting water in the roof center compartment, it might in part have something to do with this.

Just an FYI, you apparently didn't read this entire topic, or at least the first post by the OP, if you had you would know he stated he didn't have a sun/moon roof, so therefore his issue can't be the drain tubes.

 

[corduroy]

Yep, no sun/moon roof. I took the roof rack off, cleaned the channels, resealed the bolts. Still getting water in. Drivers side seat belt, left corner of sunglass holder, and now this passenger side wall. The SUV smells like a musty, damp basement!



The windshield is the next thing to look at. The windshield shop quoted me $240 to remove and replace but there is a chance of cracking it. It was ~$300 to replace so I am just going to do that. They said if there is too much rust/metal damage they cannot put the windshield back in due to safety. If it comes to that a body shop would have to repair it and plus new might just say screw it. I know I have about $2k worth of other repairs, plus tires & brakes needed. I would be putting in more than it's worth. Might be time for a used TRD premium

I get the windshield replaced Monday and will reply back the findings. Thanks all!

 

[corduroy]

Pretty sure we found the root cause for my leaks....crapping adhesive sealing on the window replace many years ago. As soon as he pulled the urethane out he could see rust at the top. When he got the windshield out there was no adhesive sticking to the top edge like there was at the bottom. Thankfully no rust holes in the frame. The technician cleaned the rust, applied primer, and put in a new (hopefully properly sealed) windshield for $328 (glass/labor/tax).

It's supposed to rain tomorrow. We shall see how it goes. Thanks for all the replies.

Top edge frame rust under urethane



Piece of old urethane, rust stuck to it


Top inside glass, no adhesive


Bottom inside glass, adhesive stuck

 

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I've had those moldings off many times and there is nothing under there, it's just trim. If you are leaking that high and in that area, my guess is under the roof rack rail moldings is dirty and it's blocking a path for water to flow and its backing up somewhere. Also take out the silicone and use Strip Caulk by 3m or some equivalent product. Strip caulk is what Toyota used. Silicone was not made to be used in that area and there could be a pinhole somewhere in the silicone.

I took my roof rack off to put on a Sport rack and under the moldings was beyond filthy.

After a very heavy down pour and the car parked downhill, water came pouring out of the overhead garage door pocket right down on the shift console. It looks like there's a rubber strip/seal from monting caps front to back.

Is that correct?

If so, peeling the rubber back and cleaning the channel would be possible? Or, what procedure would be required to clean the channel?

No sun roof.

 

[corduroy]

Thanks for the reply. It ended up being a leak in the windshield.