Leaking sunroof surround - help troubleshoot? (2 Viewers)

[Super77]

I’ve got a drip coming from the sunroof glass assembly.

Left and right sides. Seems to be coming from the black plastic surround - Toyota calls it garnish - that’s visible from inside the vehicle (outlined in red above). The joints in that surround are wet, and the water pools and drips as shown in the photos. When the car has been sitting in the rain, the first time I hit the brakes, a trickle of water pours from that area.

I don’t believe this is a drains issue. The “moat” around the sunroof opening in the roof is clean, there is no water collecting, and the drain lines flow through. I'm also not certain that it's the weatherstripping l (that seals against the roof sheet metal), since any leakage there would end up in the moat and down the drains, right?

My hunch from reading here is that it’s the plastic frame around the glass. Water may be getting between the glass and its frame and collecting in the garnish

Does this track with anyone’s experience? What’s the troubleshooting/fix process?

 

[kbfj621989]

I would remove the plastic garnish (do it carefully as there are little clips and are probably brittle as this point) and then spray some water on the sunroof to confirm the water intrusion. Look for any cracks in the plastic frame of the sunroof. I would clean up the glass and apply a some clear silicone (very small amount so that it is not noticeable) around where the glass meets the plastic frame and replace the gasket for good measure. I did this on my rig which has an inoperable sunroof and no leaks.

 

[Bisho]

I’ve got a drip coming from the sunroof glass assembly.
View attachment 3908444

View attachment 3908443

View attachment 3908445
Left and right sides. Seems to be coming from the black plastic surround - Toyota calls it garnish - that’s visible from inside the vehicle (outlined in red above). The joints in that surround are wet, and the water pools and drips as shown in the photos. When the car has been sitting in the rain, the first time I hit the brakes, a trickle of water pours from that area.

I don’t believe this is a drains issue. The “moat” around the sunroof opening in the roof is clean, there is no water collecting, and the drain lines flow through. I'm also not certain that it's the weatherstripping l (that seals against the roof sheet metal), since any leakage there would end up in the moat and down the drains, right?

My hunch from reading here is that it’s the plastic frame around the glass. Water may be getting between the glass and its frame and collecting in the garnish

Does this track with anyone’s experience? What’s the troubleshooting/fix process?

View attachment 3908439

Yes, I’m sure you’re correct. You’ll likely find the seam on the back of the glass is separating. You’ll want to remove the glass to work on it. It’s also the best time to replace the rubber seal around the glass.

Remove the garnish, remove the four nuts holding the glass in. Lift out the glass. Remove the seal (at least the back side) from the plastic surround ( the surround has a j channel the seal presses onto).

The plastic is likely separating from the glass at the seam, leaving a gap. Pull it away from the glass a bit to clean the channel and glass. I then sealed it with a bit silicone in place, making sure you get the gap sealed through the j channel. After it cures, put the rubber seal on and reinstall.

I think that leak is what kills a lot of sunroofs. From that garnish it drips onto the cables, and not the drip trays.

 

[TahoeZ]

If your drains are clear and the outer weather seal is sealing properly to the body, then it's likely the factory-formed plastic-to-glass joint. That's where mine started leaking as well. After trying several things to stop it, I ended up covering that seam on top with strips of FlexSeal black tape. I just ripped some strips and cut radius'd corner pieces, cleaned everything well with rubbing alcohol, and pressed them on well with a little bit of heat from a heat gun. No more leaks. Only visible from the top and doesn't really stand out. Sunroof still operates fine.

 

[Super77]

Yes, I’m sure you’re correct. You’ll likely find the seam on the back of the glass is separating. You’ll want to remove the glass to work on it. It’s also the best time to replace the rubber seal around the glass.

Remove the garnish, remove the four nuts holding the glass in. Lift out the glass. Remove the seal (at least the back side) from the plastic surround ( the surround has a j channel the seal presses onto).

The plastic is likely separating from the glass at the seam, leaving a gap. Pull it away from the glass a bit to clean the channel and glass. I then sealed it with a bit silicone in place, making sure you get the gap sealed through the j channel. After it cures, put the rubber seal on and reinstall.

I think that leak is what kills a lot of sunroofs. From that garnish it drips onto the cables, and not the drip trays.

How is the interior garnish attached, so I can access the nuts to remove the glass panel?

 

[Bisho]

How is the interior garnish attached, so I can access the nuts to remove the glass panel?

They are clipped on, like interior panels. IIRC, you remove the front and back first, as they overlap the sides.

 

[99UnDaCuvaBrutha]

same problem and same places as mine. i had two areas to 'fix'. first used a weed wacker string done each drain tube, immediately the pan drained and cleared the clogged drain tube. second was the outside plastic trim seam, i sealed the gap. no more leaks.