Leaking water from the rear ceiling

Hi all. I live in a rainy climate and just noticed the other day I have water coming into the rear soaking through the ceiling and dripping from a plastic keeper. Hoping to find the solution and order parts before tearing it apart. I haven’t modified anything on the roof of the car and the weather stripping is in good condition and clean. Thoughts? Thanks!

 

Do you keep the window cracked open when it’s raining? It looks like water sneaks in through there rather than a leaking roof.

 

I don’t. It’s soaking through the headliner

 

Sunroof? Those drains can clog.

 

I can’t imagine the water would drain all the way back to the rear, but Im not sure. The other photos may have not been clear enough so here’s another

 

Yea I saw it was rear hatch but unsure where the drains go. There's also drip rails that cover the channels for the roof rack mounts, it could have rusted through but with it being only 10 years old it seems unlikely.

That location looks like the hatch gasket would be the culprint, but you mentioned it was good.

Even if the spoiler were leaking some, I can't imagine it being able to get in there, as it's part of the hatch, and has drain holes for it a the bottom of the hatch. Even if it were to fill it up it would remain in the door, not the headliner, like you're seeing there.

There's gotta be a leak in the roof rack.

 

I’ve only lived in this rainy climate for 2 1/2 years, I was in Phoenix before. Maybe the roof rack channels are leading back there somehow. I’ve seen a lot of people having problems with their roof rack seals leaking

 

It’s slopes up in the middle from the roof rack rails so I’m confused lol

 

Also if you don't have a lift on your vehicle (i.e Stock height) you have a forward leaning rake, so on level ground the water would run forward, not backward.

 

I’m afraid I might have to take the whole headliner out to find this

 

yep, no level or lift kit

 

Probably. It's a pretty big job, but if you don't find it you'll end up with mold and mildew in the vehicle if you can't find it externally.

My guess is the bolts that hold the roof rack down have let some water through and are leaking. You could attempt to pull them out, add some RTV, and put them back in.

 

Well that’s probably what I’m gonna do.

I just paid it off this month! Sunuva

 

Thanks for your suggestions. It’s my first post, I’m surprised somebody found it

 

Any suggestions on what interior keepers I should get because I know I’m going to break at least 30% of them lol

 

$12 25 Headliner Retainers Compatible with Toyota 90467-05164-E2

https://www.amazon.com/25-Headliner-Retainers-Toyota-90467-05164-E2/dp/B004QUN3U4

Get a tool like this too to help you. It will help with removing the clips and also if you have to pull some panels.

$10 Tresalto Auto Trim Removal Tool Kit - 5-Piece No Scratch Pry Tool Set for Car Panel and Dashboard Removal - Includes Door Panel Tool, Push Rivets, Car Clips - Essential for Interior Trim Work - Blue

https://www.amazon.com/Tresalto-Aut...otive&sprefix=clip+remo,automotive,163&sr=1-6

 

Awesome, thanks for the help! Hopefully I can get this solved before mildew

 

Don't go destructo mode just yet. Check the drain plugs first like mentioned above. I know that it seems dumb that the drain line would be all the way back there but they kinda do. The drain lines at the back of the sunroof go toward the rear. Check them first and clean them out (fishing wire/ fish tape) works great. If it's that perfect, just use a carpet cleaner for the headliner and vualá
I usually bust out my hoover portable upholstery vacuum for jobs like this

 

I would definitely check the moonroof drain tubes and roof rack mounting bolts before messing with the headliner. The rear roof rack mounting bolts seems like the most likely culprit. Good luck!

Welcome to the forum!

 

Pull the rack and check the mounting bolts/gaskets.

 

While I don't disagree w/ the culprit being the drain tubs, due to the extent of the visible damage, I still think it would be worth pulling the headliner for a full clean. By the looks of it, there's already enough water/moisture that mold/mildew could be a concern.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I’ll probably pull the back of the headliner off and try and bend it down a little to get a peek in there to see if there’s mold and try and dry it out. I’m also gonna reseal the roof rack bolts, what about the long seam that’s on both sides of the roof under the rack. Is that something that I should consider replacing while I have the rack off. The car was in the AZ sun for 8 years so I wonder if it needs replacing. It looks fine from the top and isn’t cracked though

 

Definitely a curiosity
Let us know what you find homie
I'll be good to keep in mine in case this happens to others

 

Also check the satellite radio antenna (Shark fin) since you are checking for leaks. I'm pretty sure there is a gasket and a single bolt. If you drop the rear of the headliner you should be able to see it. If it was in AZ sun as long as you say, the gasket may have dried out and become brittle. Worth checking along with the roof rack bolts.

 

shark fin creates the leak.. I wash my vehicles on my property and I am very careful not to hit the shark fin,,many have had leaks in the rear..I never go to the car wash .also the sun roof leaks in the driver area because of the drain holes get tree crap .
the sun roof tubes run to the rear then drains on the rear tire area ..
I had to remove my roof rack sliders because it is a PITA to remove the snow on my roof..
I removed the plastic covers to remove the rack sliders and there was a lot of tree crap under it.. I sprayed soap on those plastic covers then I used the plastic tools to pop off those covers comes off easy ..

 

My vote is also the roof rack mounts or shark fin (did they have the shark fin antennas on the early 5th gens?). The roof seam covers you're referring to are not seals. They're just trim pieces meant to make the welded seam prettier.

Whatever you find, please do not use generic silicone or hardening RTV to seal. Use a proper automotive sealant that is meant to stay tacky and dynamic, like butyl rubber. Silicone and other gasket makers that cure and harden will lead to the same leaky problems in the future.

 

I went to the car wash today and had water seeping through my seat belts! I did some investigation, pulled off my roof rack, took off the screws and there it was: rust buildup around the gaskets that hold the feet to my roof rack. Ive had my 4runner for 6 years (2014) so looks like I need to remove the headliner, dry out any moisture internally, spray rust remover, then use silicone to seal up both the interior and exterior gaskets of the screw holes. I also noticed tiny separation of the mounted gasket that the feet screw into which had rust on it as well. The rust wasn't bad at all but make sure and take the whole headliner off just to be sure no mold or mildew have built up.

 

Factory rack?

 

I use a rust remover rustoleum that has phosphoric acid. this product dissolves the rust in an hour or so then wipe it off .. then I put a primer on it then a few hours top coat it .
I used this on my 2000 GM truck and on my steel hand rail on the steps of my house. works good .did it last year .
do not put silicone sealer on bare metal..
I pulled off those covers that are the roof rack bars .. Toyota created this to hold up debris in that lock down ..
when you put the bolts into the body frame use a thread sealer to protect the threads/metal from corrosion and water leaks.
when I do my 96 Impala water pump bolts I use this to stop any antifreeze leaks. on other engines GM the upper intake manifold bolts do leak old engines and I fixed it .. permatex thread sealer..