Where do the sunroof drains exit?

[bju96]

My sunroof leaks, and I know the common solution is to check the drain lines to see if they're clogged. Well my sunroof also doesn't open so I can't get at the drain lines from the top, so am trying to clear the drains from where they exit instead. If that doesn't work, I'll remove the glass and try to get at the drains from the top.

I think I have found one of the drain exits, there is a plastic tube sticking out behind the right rear wheel, near the spare (see pic). Is that coming from the sunroof? I can feed about 5-6' of weed whacker line up there before it won't go any further. I am not sure which pillars this drain line follows, but regardless, I would think the entire run of the drain line from sunroof to exit would be longer than 5-6'. So maybe I have found a clog.

But I know there is another drain exit somewhere, I have read archives and spent a lot of time on my back under the front part of the truck looking for another exit hole. I just don't see anything. Anyone got a picture of where the front line exits, so I know what to look for?

 

[bgmac]

The sunroof has drains?? If yours is stuck shut and it leaks, I would assume its a bad seal.

 

[bju96]

The sunroof has drains?? If yours is stuck shut and it leaks, I would assume its a bad seal.

Yes, from what I understand after reading countless posts here and on Yotatech, there is a drainage system built in to the sunroof that lets water run down a tube that goes down the a or b pillars. Open the sunroof and there will be 2 or so small holes in the corners. I suppose water gets past my seals, into these drains, and if they're clogged, the water has nowhere to go except into my headliner.

 

[Gumballf355]

I had the same problem... you have to pull the headliner to access the drainage tubes... it's leaking on the right passenger seat and carpet correct? I'm also located in the San Jose (bay area) and have a shop here. If you can't do the work I'd be happy to schedule an appointment for you to come in and I can do the repairs. I can also repair your sunroof aswell.

 

[bju96]

I had the same problem... you have to pull the headliner to access the drainage tubes... it's leaking on the right passenger seat and carpet correct? I'm also located in the San Jose (bay area) and have a shop here. If you can't do the work I'd be happy to schedule an appointment for you to come in and I can do the repairs. I can also repair your sunroof aswell.

Thanks, I'll be in touch. Raining down there in SJ like it is up here in Marin?

Hopefully not enough rain has fallen to trigger the leak. Last rainy season I recall the water dripping on both front seats, not just the passenger side. That was before I decided to put duct tape around the edge of the whole sunroof (on the roof of the truck, not inside). Ghetto, but it kept the water out.

 

[Gumballf355]

Yeah, it's raining down here... checked my car today and my seats are still dry. Your front drain tubes are clogged up.

 

[jamess]

This post is very timely for me, since I have had the same problem start in the last month. I had my windshield replaced in January 2008 and I thought they might not have sealed it properly and that overtime a leak came about from it. So, this past Firday i went and had my windshield re-sealed. This did not do the trick. Today the headliner right at the windshield and reight behind the rearview mirror is wet. I have only had my drivers seat get wet once, and this was after a night of brutally heavy storms.

How do you remove the head liner to get to these drain tubes?

 

[qballjr13]

All you have to do is open the sunroof and find thew two little holes that drain around the sunroof...they are usually at the front corners...use some wire and gently slide down into the tubes and the wire should have enough rigitity to knock loose any blockage. It happened to me a couple times with my Maxima, that always took care of it.

 

[AK602]

If you have an air compressor you can gently blow air up or down the lines. Factory sunroofs do not "seal" they are controlled leaks. The water comes in the roof and down the drains. Thats the only way you can be sure of no leaks, that is until the drains clog from leaves and road debris. You can also try a little pressure from a garden hose from the top.

 

[Gumballf355]

hopefully you've fixed your drain problem before today... all this rain is no good. I went outside to double check my sunroof for leaks and I'm golden.

 

[bju96]

hopefully you've fixed your drain problem before today... all this rain is no good. I went outside to double check my sunroof for leaks and I'm golden.

In the end I resorted to what worked last year...duct tape around the entire outer edge of the sunroof. Doesn't look pretty, but it keeps the water out.

 

[Shoke]

If you life in Southern CA, you know its been raining like a mad man. And sure enough my passenger side footwell is soaked. I'm trying to find the end of the sunroof drain. Can someone point me in the right direction please? A pic would be especially helpful!

 

[topdown4runner]

No pics, sorry.

To clear the fronts, you have to do it from the open sun roof. The exit is at the bottom of the truck frame between the pinch welds, so you cannot access it.
Run some weed eater line down each corner drain hole in the front. Pour some water in each hole to verify water is coming out.

For the rears:
Passenger side is easy. The drain hole exits under the back of the truck, basicly under where the little storage compartment is. You can see the 2" or so of tubing sticking out. Run your weed eater line up it, spinning it as you do so to "rooter" it out. Maybe apply some slight pressure to it to blow it out.

The drivers side is harder.
You have to remove the rear plastic panel to access where the drain tube runs into a catch pan, pretty much below the gas filler as a reference. Once you access the tube, repeat with line, air, etc...
I put a small nozzle on the end of my garden hose and clamped it to the end of the drain lines and slightly sent water up the line. I saw the water come into the drain pan up at the sun roof, then run to the front drains and out again near the front tires. This is how I know all 4 were clear.

Something else I did. With the sun roof open, clean the rubber gaskets so they make a better seal. It slows down the weeping action of the controlled leak mentioned in an above post.

Hasn't leaked into the truck since.

Good luck

 

[Shoke]

Awesome. I'll check it out when I get home from work. Thanks Top

 

[daletehbest]

if it doesn't open just seal it with some caulking

 

[Shoke]

Found the problem...

K so it turns on it wasn't my sunroof that was leaking. The reason my headliner and sunroof glass were wet was due to the large amount of condensation in the truck.

THE PROBLEM was from the antenna. Water was running down the antenna, down the cable, straight into the passenger side footwell.

THE FIX was to pull the antenna cable out more so it went down and up back into the hole, as opposed to going straight in. Water can't travel up. I used a zip tie to hold it in place.

I can post some pics of if anyone is interested. I think I'll call it the "zip-tie mod." :nerd:

Thank goodness that is over and thank you all who responded. :hatsoff:

 

[whipkiller]

K so it turns on it wasn't my sunroof that was leaking. The reason my headliner and sunroof glass were wet was due to the large amount of condensation in the truck.

THE PROBLEM was from the antenna. Water was running down the antenna, down the cable, straight into the passenger side footwell.

THE FIX was to pull the antenna cable out more so it went down and up back into the hole, as opposed to going straight in. Water can't travel up. I used a zip tie to hold it in place.

I can post some pics of if anyone is interested. I think I'll call it the "zip-tie mod." :nerd:

Thank goodness that is over and thank you all who responded. :hatsoff:

Yes please, post some pics. I'm having what sounds like the same problem.

 

[jdnorton79]

yes please post i am having the same problem

 

[Shoke]

see post #7 here

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/79378-wet-floor-help.html#post679181

 

[Lunatick]

All 4 corners

1997 4runner----DONT HAVE TO REMOVE THE HEADLINER.
the rear drains are as stated . behind the rear wheel , just put a shop vac to the hose & suck any blockage out.
The front you can get to by opening the sunroof, Use an air hose to blow the drains out.


1996 4runner , the rear drains out behind the side part of the rear bumber, there is an oval plastic filter looking thing . it drains from in there.