Leak on top of front pillar - passenger side (1 Viewer)

[odessit]

Landcruiser, 2007, 220k+, had a leak with water coming from the top of the front passenger pillar during rain in summer.
My mechanic put adhesive from inside and said it might help, but no guarantees. He was not sure where the water exactly coming from.
In his opinion - if it would not work - need to take out windshield and re-seal. Seemed to work.
We had rain today, LC seating outside - top of the pillar was wet.
What should I do now? Put sealant on the outside around the edge myself? Look for a place which can identify leak source? Re-seal windshield? - likely need to pull it out for this which does not sound appealing.
Other options?
Thank you!

 

[excessive]

its your sunroof drains, probably just need to unclog them

 

[2001LC]

Sunroof drains, easily checked. Just pour water in one drain at a time, and watch. Should see come out under vehicle, between door and fender well cavity only.
You can also remove inside side molding and see sunroof drain clear tube, and watch for leak. Not likely to rupture and leak.

Most common if windshield (WS) has been replaced:

Leaks as soon as WS replaced;

One or more of the factory's 4 rivets holes on each side, open. (not used) Sometimes extra holes drilled. Remove side molding and correctly install. I plug holes with bytul until I reinstall molding properly.

I remove any suspect side molding and plug the 4 holes:

Leaks at top center of WS. Where the OEM WS has rubber a mounting block, that effectively blocks a hole it sits in. Installer needs to place tap under hole and top with black poly during install of aftermarket WS.

Leaks appears years after WS install. RUST holes!

 

[2001LC]

Leaks can also be from bad black poly seal around perimeter of WS.

Hunting for leaks, by pressurizing cabin and foaming (foamy car soap or cas of windshield cleaner), watch for bubbles.
Cabin fan on high with, outside air on.

Tape over rear air out vents fins, is helpful. As leaf blower used to create positive pressure in cabin, with blockage in opening of window hose is run in..

Foam area suspect, and watch for bubbles.

 

[odessit]

Thank you for advice.
Sunroof drainage is clear - checked it back in summer when first leak happened.
Would you use shopvac to create pressure inside?

 

[2001LC]

Yes, if like my shop vac, which is also a blower. So yes, it does create positive pressure in blower mode.

 

[odessit]

I got the bubbles coming from the outer edge - between pillar and the molding. Should I try to put a sealant along the edge - vs. removing (and possibly breaking ) a windshield? Even if this is a temporary solution - who know when I have a broken windshield and need to replace it anyway.

 

[2001LC]

I got the bubbles coming from the outer edge - between pillar and the molding. Should I try to put a sealant along the edge - vs. removing (and possibly breaking ) a windshield? Even if this is a temporary solution - who know when I have a broken windshield and need to replace it anyway.

View attachment 3759812

No!

Removing side molding, may be best option. But perhaps it's just the one rivet missing. If so you could install a new rivet.

But what I find, when install was poorly done. Is other issues also. Number one, installed has nick the paint under the molding. Which metal screws, for sure break the paint. Molding will hold in moisture, resulting in the rust.

So what I do as a temporary solution. Is remove side molding and plug the 4 rivet holes on each "A" pillar, windshield bytul. Seen in post #3.

I drill old rivets out, just drilling off head of rivet. But in most cases including yours. It's very likely, the installer used either screws and or glue (black poly), to secure molding. I use carbon fiber body tools (chisels) to slip under molding in roof canal, to break free of double sided tape. To often side molding is glued down, which it should never be. Also along "A" pillar if glued, which it should never be either. If one is careful, and metal backbone of molding is not bent. Molding can be reused.

It's best that the top molding running along roof line from side to side, not be removed. As doing so, usually causes leaks. it's a 50/50 shot.

Look in my Master Thread (in signature line below), under windshield, read through the links therein and watch the video. This will give you a better understanding of do's and don't of windshield install.
Here's one link from my master.

Bye Bye to The King: Windshield rust repair ++

Well I can't believe I sold The King (2001LC Thunder Cloud NO NAV ), He's be with me near 14 years and has been the most reliable vehicle I've ever had the pleasure of owning & driving. When I bought it, I ask at the Toyota parts counter; "what part or parts are you seeing purchased the most...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[delz05]

Who had the windshield installed? You or previous owner? Bring it back to the glass shop for proper repair... A leaking windshield is a "broken" windshield!