I recently discovered the 4 drains on mine were clogged after several years of California drought. When all this crazy rain crazy rain started in December 2022 I tried everything I could think of to unclog them but it was a no go (compressed air, snake, etc). As it turns out, the clog was where that filter is to stop insects from getting in (poor design). After my Toyota dealer unclogged them, I had to take to a body shop to get both the carpet and headliner replaced. The mold smell was unbearable. In addition to the carpet, the headliner got wet somehow and you could see the mold forming (probably overflowed and ran down the upper frame and wet the headliner). Luckily, my insurance policy took care of it. Not looking forward to my premium increase next year.
sunroof drain cleaning
- Thread starter VonMussa
- Start date
scorpslvr
New member
Just a little additional info might help someone.
For the front, you will need large twweezers or long bent needle nose pliers to grab the drain tube so you can lift it up... and replace it for that matter.
For the rear I was unable to run trimmer string through. The larger size I had with edges and somewhat stiffer only went about 3 feet. The slightly smaller but round string went about 6 feet. Never could get it all the way out sunroof.
So I switched to compressed air and that clear3d things out although I never saw just what the issue was. In the front one side had what looked like a ball of algae, the other side looked like old leaves.
5th gen with JBL... You won't have the jack access door on passenger side. You can't access the hose via that area without removing a lot of trim.
I would simply pop the two bumper covers left and right It's just 3 pins and a 10mm screw. Very quick and easy. Try the trimmer string or curtain hanger deal and see what you get then hit it with compressed air and test with water.
All 4 of mine are clean now on a 2011 Limited and last week I had a head liner sloshing water, wet floors, and a water fall across my dash, seat, steering wheel.
If you have a sun roof you really should learn how to do this. After you get through all 4 once, it's really not that much of an ordeal. Good luck.
TB
For the front, you will need large twweezers or long bent needle nose pliers to grab the drain tube so you can lift it up... and replace it for that matter.
For the rear I was unable to run trimmer string through. The larger size I had with edges and somewhat stiffer only went about 3 feet. The slightly smaller but round string went about 6 feet. Never could get it all the way out sunroof.
So I switched to compressed air and that clear3d things out although I never saw just what the issue was. In the front one side had what looked like a ball of algae, the other side looked like old leaves.
5th gen with JBL... You won't have the jack access door on passenger side. You can't access the hose via that area without removing a lot of trim.
I would simply pop the two bumper covers left and right It's just 3 pins and a 10mm screw. Very quick and easy. Try the trimmer string or curtain hanger deal and see what you get then hit it with compressed air and test with water.
All 4 of mine are clean now on a 2011 Limited and last week I had a head liner sloshing water, wet floors, and a water fall across my dash, seat, steering wheel.
If you have a sun roof you really should learn how to do this. After you get through all 4 once, it's really not that much of an ordeal. Good luck.
TB
GS-Limited
New member
Wet 'n' Wild
Keep your 4 drains clean! I'm dealing with a major issue right now - the drains in my 2018 Limited were (unknowingly) clogged and we got a S**t ton of rain in NY. A few days later, as I started driving, I heard water in the headliner moving around, and eventually made it's way to my front pillars. I realized later (after removing my weathertech mats) that the water accumulated under the driver and passenger carpets. There are legit puddles under my carpets.
I never open my sunroof, so I have NO IDEA how the water got in. Per other articles on the forum, I checked any potential loose screws on my roof rack, but found nothing. I guess it's possible that the water got between the rubber seals / gaskets around the sunroof.
My buddy who owns a body shop told me that it would cost about $4-5K to properly fix this damage. Honestly thinking about fixing this issue and sealing the sunroof for good (and removing the fuse for this component) because I don't want to deal with this ever again.
Keep your 4 drains clean! I'm dealing with a major issue right now - the drains in my 2018 Limited were (unknowingly) clogged and we got a S**t ton of rain in NY. A few days later, as I started driving, I heard water in the headliner moving around, and eventually made it's way to my front pillars. I realized later (after removing my weathertech mats) that the water accumulated under the driver and passenger carpets. There are legit puddles under my carpets.
I never open my sunroof, so I have NO IDEA how the water got in. Per other articles on the forum, I checked any potential loose screws on my roof rack, but found nothing. I guess it's possible that the water got between the rubber seals / gaskets around the sunroof.
My buddy who owns a body shop told me that it would cost about $4-5K to properly fix this damage. Honestly thinking about fixing this issue and sealing the sunroof for good (and removing the fuse for this component) because I don't want to deal with this ever again.
MartinMankat
New member
I used weed wicker line to feed up the lines. Works well. It’s a bit fiddly to feed through the turns, but with patience and time, it works.
I had the exact same issue with my 2013. Prolonged drought and no issues. Once those atmospheric rivers started it was all she wrote. Leaking all over the place. I first took it toyota to clear the clog. Of course all they did was blow in compressed air which appeared to solve the problem. $200 for 5 minutes of work. Two months later same issue. They wanted to charge me again. I refused to pay again. They never cleaned those stupid filters which will not keep a spider from getting in there.
My insurance covered the cost of replacing the carpet and headliner. And get this, the auto body shop never cleaned the filters. WTF!
I just returned from a trip the other day and noticed my right side carpet was damp. Luckily no smell. So I just found this thread and cleaned the two front filters. Interestingly, the two drain hoses in the rear appear not to have those pesky filters. But I'm good to go now. Pic of clogged front filter attached Toyota designs great vehicles but they also design ways to make big money making shotty repairs on this kind of stuff.
Lastly, upon returning from my trip and discovering the moisture (luckily no smell as it was only a tiny bit of moisture and I have rubber mats), the slide button for the moon roof wasn't functioning but the tilt still worked. Checked the fuse it was fine. So I figured out how to reset the switch. You pull the slide button back and hold it, and at the same time hit the up button for the tilt. Hold them both simultaneously for about 5 seconds and it will reset the switch. Works fine now. FYI - To replace a faulty slider or tilt button Toyota makes you buy the entire upper console which is $50 shy of $2000. Or you can roll the dice and try to find one on Ebay or a Junk Yard network.
My insurance covered the cost of replacing the carpet and headliner. And get this, the auto body shop never cleaned the filters. WTF!
I just returned from a trip the other day and noticed my right side carpet was damp. Luckily no smell. So I just found this thread and cleaned the two front filters. Interestingly, the two drain hoses in the rear appear not to have those pesky filters. But I'm good to go now. Pic of clogged front filter attached Toyota designs great vehicles but they also design ways to make big money making shotty repairs on this kind of stuff.
Lastly, upon returning from my trip and discovering the moisture (luckily no smell as it was only a tiny bit of moisture and I have rubber mats), the slide button for the moon roof wasn't functioning but the tilt still worked. Checked the fuse it was fine. So I figured out how to reset the switch. You pull the slide button back and hold it, and at the same time hit the up button for the tilt. Hold them both simultaneously for about 5 seconds and it will reset the switch. Works fine now. FYI - To replace a faulty slider or tilt button Toyota makes you buy the entire upper console which is $50 shy of $2000. Or you can roll the dice and try to find one on Ebay or a Junk Yard network.
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4runnerFridge
New member
I just bought a 2024 4Runner and it came with a moonroof.
Is there a guide for keeping the moonroof in good shape? All the thread seem to deal with unplugging drains and after problems have occurred. Is there guidance on how to avoid these happening in the first place?
Is there a guide for keeping the moonroof in good shape? All the thread seem to deal with unplugging drains and after problems have occurred. Is there guidance on how to avoid these happening in the first place?
There is no guide as this is Toyota's way of selling more service and parts to make money. If you park your 4Runner in a garage it will be less of an issue. If it's outdoors and rains a lot it most certainly can become an issue. I would recommend keeping the water channel inside the moon roof free of debris (leaves, etc). Also, if I had to guess your model, is still a 5 gen 4Runner the tubes are probably in the same location as a 2013. You may want to investigate and see if you can access the drain tubes and check the filters once a year. It took me about 1 hour to check all four tubes yesterday. Interestingly, I found no filters on the two rear tubes and they were free of any debris or insects. Water flows right through them when testing.
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AuSeeker
Elite Member
Just an FYI, the 2024 T4R is still a 5th Gen, not a 6th Gen.
You are correct. My mistake. The 2025 will likely have redesign of the chassis and will likely have a 4–cylinder turbo and a hybrid option (so I've read). As for the moon roof drain tubes perhaps an improved design. LOL.
cbreze
Member
I understand how the drains get plugged, but doesn’t it have to be left open outside in the elements? I’ve not seen this addressed but if the sunroof is closed when parked outside how can debris get in there? This seems way too simple. I wouldn’t leave my 4Runner outside with the roof slider open for any extended period of time. I’ve had it 12 years and no drain issues yet.
I've never left it outside with the moon roof open. However, the outer seal on the moon roof is not designed to keep the water out 100%. And if parked outside the seal can become stiff and start to deteriorate due to heat from the sun. If there's a deluge of rain (like we experienced in California with repeated atmospheric rivers) the giant Eucalyptus trees outside my home continually pummeled my 4Runner with debris and leaves which get lodged everywhere. If you don't remove the debris right away they sometime gets stuck in the seal and eventually will break down and enter the water channel. And then eventually it will enter the tubes when the leaves break down. I believe this is what happened to my 2013. Now I check and keep the channel clean every time we have heavy wind and rain events.
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Interestingly, after having issues opening my sunroof yesterday and using the reset method successfully which I mentioned previously in this thread (holding the slide button and tilt up button simultaneously) my sunroof will not open nor reset today. The tilt still works fine. However, if I push up on the sunroof frame while seated in the driver's seat and pull the slide button back it will open. But with no push, it will not open. Have any of you experienced this? Perhaps the moon roof motor is on its last leg? Any ideas?
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4runnerFridge
New member
Thanks for the replies and apologies for lack of details.
The 4Runner is a 2024 TRD Off Road Premium.
The truck is and will be parked in a garage and most of the time in covered parking at work. I’m in the Arizona desert so not much rain but when it does it pours, maybe a few days a year.
If I brush off any dust and debris when I see it and vacuum the tracks and troughs every month or so, would that be good? Planning on going over the sunroof seal with pure silicone grease every 6 months or so.
Never had a vehicle with a moonroof before and just want to do everything possible to avoid issues.
Thanks again.
The 4Runner is a 2024 TRD Off Road Premium.
The truck is and will be parked in a garage and most of the time in covered parking at work. I’m in the Arizona desert so not much rain but when it does it pours, maybe a few days a year.
If I brush off any dust and debris when I see it and vacuum the tracks and troughs every month or so, would that be good? Planning on going over the sunroof seal with pure silicone grease every 6 months or so.
Never had a vehicle with a moonroof before and just want to do everything possible to avoid issues.
Thanks again.
Here's a link to download a complete HTML copy of the 2010-RM. You can open it on your computer. After reading the section on the Sliding Roof/Convertible (different name than Moon Roof as seen in the OM) it appears that I may to need to replace the SLIDING ROOF DRIVE GEAR SUB-ASSEMBLY. There are instructions how to disassemble and reassemble but it appears a bit complicated.
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I believe the best thing to do is to check the drain tubes where they end and remove and clean the filters. I believe the filters are the primary cause of the clogs. On my 2013 only the front two drain hoses have filters. The two in the rear do not have any that I could see. It appears there's just a plastic drain hose connected to a larger gauge rubber hose with a rubber collar to hold it in place through cutout in the body allowing drain water to fall to the ground from inside the rear wheel well assembly. Additionally, make certain there's no debris build up in the water channel beneath the moon roof.
There are great pics of how to go about accessing the tubes/filters on the first page of this thread.
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gary419
New member
Thanks for the picture of end of drain tube, I couldn't pull mine out of sealant in frame. I also bottomed out the weed eater line, then resorted to air pressure. My drain hole was under water while I applied about 8psi from compressor. Then I heard a mild slushy pop and water and fine particles blew out on garage floor, standing water gone.I couldn't find much info about where the 5th Gen sunroof drains come out. I knew they came down the A pillars and somehow out the rear (Just like the 4th gens, there's one run through the tool area in the rear). My sunroof was holding water so I knew I had a clogged drain. Turns out it was 1 of 4 that was clogged the others seem to drain out of the pinch welds with no access to the "exit end" - Toyota this seems like a horrible idea.
My Front Driver drain was the one that was giving me issues so I spent a while trying to track it down. I had tried the weedeater string, and even a coated braided steel cable. It seemed to run the same length down each side before bottoming out so I wasn't sure what was causing the clog.
Once I stripped away some of the panels and electronics I pulled the hose out to find the small "filter plug" on the bottom. This is what was causing my tools to bottom out, and it's also what was causing the clog. Mine was packed full of debris. Figured I'd share a photo in case anyone else is having a problem tracking them down.
My car sits outside and the pollen gets so heavy the hood turns green, I suspect only 4runners sitting outside for some time have this clogged sunroof drain.
Use caution with air pressure, I started out with about 5-8 psi and it worked. Using a hand pump may even be a better idea so you don't blow the tube off drain pan.
I have a Harley hand pump for air shocks the probably would work.
Another note, don't get fooled by dribbling water coming out, that drain hose holds more water than you may realize and during a heavy rain, it may not handle the load if partially clogged.
The rear driver hose was accessible in the jack compartment, goes into a 90 degree grommet, hardly any dirt and flowed well.
Passenger rear was seen through my 12v power panel (pops out from rt side) goes into same grommet as driver side and it flowed well.
10/2024 My final solution: After all the work above I still had a wet driver side carpet in a recent rainfall which took 4 months to happen again from first attempt to fix.
This time I was determined to remove the plastic filter / plug from end of hose. You can see it in picture above with dark debris at end. It took a little extra force to remove hose from grommet, but I got it out.. Completely clogged up when I removed it, about a quart of water came out. (had tried pouring water in sunroof for test earlier).
I did the same thing on passenger side, and it took less time. Haven't done the rear, mostly because my front drains do most of the work due to slight incline of parking spot.
It's been about a month and three good rains with no problem.
Lesson learned, skip all the tricks with trimmer string and compressed air, just remove the factory plug from end of hose.
If your fortunate to park in a garage, you'll probably never have this problem.
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gary419
New member
In my case the debris is pollen collecting on roof, mostly in Spring. Then a heavy rain comes and some gets into sunroof drain. The sunroof doesn't shed 100% of rain when closed, especially with my 14 year old seals it's probably worse than when new.
My wife gets one side of Garage and the motorcyles and tools get the other.
I should get a carport?????
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gary419
New member
Driver Kick Panel Removal 2010
2010 Trail
Image 1 shows point of prying to pop up panel.
Pry tool makes job easier
Image 2 shows panel underside.
Image 3 shows hole and stud holding kick panel
Image 4 shows underside of kick panel
Image 5 shows screw on plastic nut.
I used claw extension to remove and install.
2010 Trail
Image 1 shows point of prying to pop up panel.
Pry tool makes job easier
Image 2 shows panel underside.
Image 3 shows hole and stud holding kick panel
Image 4 shows underside of kick panel
Image 5 shows screw on plastic nut.
I used claw extension to remove and install.
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