Sunroof Rain Leak Fix

[pnolanIH8MUD]

I got a surprise this morning when I pulled out of my driveway. Water spilling out of the sunroof on my shoulder. So, I called Toyota and said that I was heading to pick up a client and could they help me quick fix the problem. They of course said if I bring it in, they'd help me...its a little tricky. So I grabbed a towel opened the sunroof, wiped the area around the opening and went to pickup my client.

I got home, opened the sunroof, took my finger to locate the corner holes left and right. Though I read to use a heavy gauge wire to probe the corner drain holes, in lieu of that, I took my 1/8" wire fish tape, made sure I had a very small tip set up so it wouldn't get caught in the tube and attacked the hole at an outward 45° horizontal angle sitting in the driver seat. These holes are located in the front corners below and past the wind deflector and the tube runs down the front windshield pillar. Initially I felt resistance then with about a foot of fish tape into the hole the resistance subsided. I found other potential blockage makers around the lip of the sunroof. Baby acorns. With a week of rain coming I'm feeling optimistic.

Stay dry.

PN

 

[txtortoise]

Weedeater cord works also.

 

[pnolanIH8MUD]

Weedeater cord works also.

Great idea!

 

[pnolanIH8MUD]

Well, still leaking. So, after I poked the drain tubes, came out to the car and saw drops on the seats again on both passenger and drivers sides. I noticed that the sills were pretty dry but there are plastic trim pieces underneath the sunroof glass and water appeared to be coming from the corner joints. So, I started with the front edge and worked my way carefully around each side gently prying up the trim from one side. Once I removed the last one, a small anodized gold machine screw fell out. Its one of four such screws next to the larger nuts. I'm not completely sure but suppose its possible that one of the fasteners being out completely could be providing a water opportunity. I've kept the trims off for now and will see when the next rain occurs or with a small amount of water poured over the top if the leak stops. Otherwise perhaps there's a gasket issue elsewhere but there would be no other way for water to get inside those trim pieces since they mount to the sunroof and not the chassis.