Water leaking out of headliner - Sunroof ?

Adding a picture of the bezel crack...
I think that whatever sealer is used, it needs to be injected well up into the crack and under the rubber. Otherwise it will just negate the sealer and leak on the sides.
The water leaks through the crack, into the headliner and under the map lights. Then along the sides onto the visors, dripping off the sides. Puddles in center console as well.
I pulled the map light assembly and am leaving it removed until I fix the issue to better allow things to dry out.

I did check my drains, free and clear.

justfuzzit-albums-my+2000+4runner+limited-picture48831-leaky-crack.jpeg

justfuzzit-albums-my+2000+4runner+limited-picture48832-flow.png
 
I have small squeeze bottle that I use to squirt water down all 4 drain holes. I do this just prior to our rainy season. If I don't do it, I get a wet headliner and water dripping on my center console.
 
Mine leaked on my recent trip to Colorado. Fixed it after I got home by opening up my sunroof and doing a good clean/air compressor the drains and such. Ever since that point it's been great. I don't think mine was ever cleaned or looked at before I did it..
 
Adding a picture of the bezel crack...
I think that whatever sealer is used, it needs to be injected well up into the crack and under the rubber. Otherwise it will just negate the sealer and leak on the sides.
The water leaks through the crack, into the headliner and under the map lights. Then along the sides onto the visors, dripping off the sides. Puddles in center console as well.
I pulled the map light assembly and am leaving it removed until I fix the issue to better allow things to dry out.

I did check my drains, free and clear.

I pulled the Sunroof glass out (2 trim pieces and 4 nuts - 10 minutes)
Flipped it upside down.
Cleaned it really good.
Let it dry.
Then pushed this Marine Grade Silicone into that crack. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000PSB1VY/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1511043077&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=marine+silicone&dpPl=1&dpID=51ARgE8fXXL&ref=plSrch
Let it dry and reinstalled.
So far - no leaks (knock wood)
 
Sun roofs are designed to leak, not be water tight. You either have a clogged drain(there's 4) or one of your drain lines have come loose. I had to drop my headliner to fix this in my 4Runner also. It isn't that hard, worst part is taking off the oh sh*t handles on the pilars cause they strip almost every time. Mine had a tiny leaf covered in a tiny glob of mud. But I had to drop the entire headliner to get it all squared away.

Factory lock tight on those screws ( wtf! ) Ya gotta heat 'em up. Pull visors and roof console,B pillar trim and you can see drains.
 
I pulled the Sunroof glass out (2 trim pieces and 4 nuts - 10 minutes)
Flipped it upside down.
Cleaned it really good.
Let it dry.
Then pushed this Marine Grade Silicone into that crack. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000PSB1VY/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1511043077&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=marine+silicone&dpPl=1&dpID=51ARgE8fXXL&ref=plSrch
Let it dry and reinstalled.
So far - no leaks (knock wood)

So I did exactly this, worked great (so far). Thanks!
Super easy for anyone looking to do the same. You can probably do it without removing anything, but it's better for pre-cleaning.
Here's some pics...

Pop trim piece down and remove the nuts holding on the glass:
justfuzzit-albums-my+2000+4runner+limited-picture48846-a.jpg


Remove glass:
justfuzzit-albums-my+2000+4runner+limited-picture48847-a.jpg


- I used the same marine/auto silicon sealer suggested by TRD 4RNR
- Before applying, I cleaned the area to be sealed with isopropyl and blew it out with compressed air (seems ok?)
- Then I took a blade to clear any excess debris and cleaned again

I pulled the seal back from the topside of the crack to inject sealant as deep as possible: (Just being thorough)
justfuzzit-albums-my+2000+4runner+limited-picture48848-a.jpg


Completed and wiped excess: (some deformation to rubber seal, should be ok. You can do better...)
justfuzzit-albums-my+2000+4runner+limited-picture48850-a.jpg

justfuzzit-albums-my+2000+4runner+limited-picture48849-a.jpg
 
Last edited:
Yes, it works!

Okay, an old thread but contains good pics of what I guess may be a common issue? Dreaded sunroof leak.

First check for a blocked drain path as a cause. The weed-whacker line trick (pushing line through the drain tubes) works for the front two drains. The rear pair however you cannot see or access without headliner removal. I found it easy to shove the tapered rubber tip of an air-hose, blow gun into the front drain holes and blast out the gunk. Time for a rail cleaning and white-lithium grease application while you're 'up there'.

The source of my leak was the split shown in photos on the front edge of the molded plastic/rubber glass surround. Looking at the gap from the inside, I could see daylight! Water creeps in here running along the headliner front edge dripping wherever it can finds a spot depending on the angle.

In other threads I read fixes like 'Marine' grade silicone and 'Flex Seal' (yikes) to fill the gap. One poster used Permatex Gel Windshield and Glass Sealant and claimed success. This product is slightly runny silicone. After cleaning and drying the gap with iso. alcohol, I 'injected' the stuff while spreading the gap as much as possible. I ran a bead across the upper gap where it was above the plastic surface. I came back in 20 minutes and the silicone was below the gap slightly. I checked inside and the stuff had ran through now seen on the inside. I wiped it down flush and re applied another tiny bead on the top. The second bead leveled the gap as intended. I would have ran a strip of tape across the inside gap should I have known it was this flowable.

The following (garden hose) tests simulated a CAT6 hurricane with no leaks. This is holding up months after the repair. Basically posted this as a good fix but also to promote the flow characteristic of the product. Kudos to 'flyinbrick' for the discovery! I keep a tube on hand for this flow property.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/100285-moonroof-leak-2.html
 
Last edited:
Knock on wood....mine has never leaked.

Once a year, I get up and vacuum out the tracks of the sunroof and add some dry spray lube. I also clean off the gaskets around the sunroof glass as best I can and add a rubber preservative to it. Seems to have worked fine all these years so maybe couldn't hurt with yours....a little PM (Preventative maintenance) goes a long way.....
 
Okay, an old thread but contains good pics of what I guess may be a common issue? Dreaded sunroof leak.

First check for a blocked drain path as a cause. The weed-whacker line trick (pushing line through the drain tubes) works for the front two drains. The rear pair however you cannot see or access without headliner removal. I found it easy to shove the tapered rubber tip of an air-hose, blow gun into the front drain holes and blast out the gunk. Time for a rail cleaning and white-lithium grease application while you're 'up there'.

The source of my leak was the split shown in photos on the front edge of the molded plastic/rubber glass surround. Looking at the gap from the inside, I could see daylight! Water creeps in here running along the headliner front edge dripping wherever it can finds a spot depending on the angle.

In other threads I read fixes like 'Marine' grade silicone and 'Flex Seal' (yikes) to fill the gap. One poster used Permatex Gel Windshield and Glass Sealant and claimed success. This product is slightly runny silicone. After cleaning and drying the gap with iso. alcohol, I 'injected' the stuff while spreading the gap as much as possible. I ran a bead across the upper gap where it was above the plastic surface. I came back in 20 minutes and the silicone was below the gap slightly. I checked inside and the stuff had ran through now seen on the inside. I wiped it down flush and re applied another tiny bead on the top. The second bead leveled the gap as intended. I would have ran a strip of tape across the inside gap should I have known it was this flowable.

The following (garden hose) tests simulated a CAT6 hurricane with no leaks. This is holding up months after the repair. Basically posted this as a good fix but also to promote the flow characteristic of the product. Kudos to 'flyinbrick' for the discovery! I keep a tube on hand for this flow property.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/100285-moonroof-leak-2.html


[MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] and I made a very good video that explains and shows in depth exactly what you have to do to uncover the lines and unclog them.
 
[MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] and I made a very good video that explains and shows in depth exactly what you have to do to uncover the lines and unclog them.

And, here they are:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qalXo4etX3Q" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MVJW0XM2x24" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
I finally figured out my sunroof leak and the fix wasn't too hard.

First, many people don't realize the seals on the glass are NOT designed to keep water out. This is why there are 4 drains - one per corner. I flushed my drains, and had good flow, but still was getting leaks at the front drains. So I bought a tool to clean the tubing (brush on a cable), thinking the flow was just impeded with filth. In so doing, I was a little too aggressive, and knocked the tubing completely off of the drain. Ugh. Small leak to HUGE leak!

I had feared the headliner removal scenario, tried and failed the impact driver removal of the A-pillar hand grip. So out of frustration, I just removed my visors and carefully pulled the trim away above the doors (did not have to remove) and pulled the corner of the headliner away from the roof. My headliner was water stained/damaged so was far from pristine anyway. I damaged (bent/wrinkled) the headliner a little, but was able to access the front drain. All looked well, and as I suspected, the Tygon tubing was stiff and the cheap wire clamp wimpy, so it was TOO LOOSE on the drain fitting, and would weep every time water went down the drain. Most water would drain, but some always leaked out. So, working through the small corner of the headliner, I cut about 3/4" off of the end of the tubing to achieve a smaller ID, then used a manly hose clamp to reattach the tubing. Then replaced the headliner. The only permanent damage was a wrinkle or two. Fine with me.

Repeat on passenger side, but had to remove the grab handle on the roof which was easy. Same scenario and fix on the passenger side.

LEAK FIXED!!!

I would start a new thread with this fix, but am not worthy yet - not enough posts.
 
Mine started leaking near the map lights. I could see day light thru a pin hole where the seal/gasket met. I pulled the gasket off near the seam and the factory sealant was flaky, rolled some butyl tape like dough and stuffed it in there along with the seam. Dumped 5 gallons of h2o on the roof and not a drop.
 

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