Help - Water Leak (newb)

Hello all,

My first post. I have a ‘21 sr5 4wd, no sunroof purchased in Feb ‘24.

FIRST, no sunroof.

I just figured out what is going on, but I cannot solve the problem. Hopefully you can help.

Super dry summer and fall where I live. However, when I first purchased after a rain I’d get in and there’d be a quarter sized bit of water on the rubber floor mat. Didn’t think much of it. There was a little bit of a musty smell. Didn’t rain much all summer, or I’d be parked in a garage.

After a recent big rain, again, quarter size bit of water on the mat, and I see some condensation on the parking break. I pull the rubber up and the carpet is soaked on the driver side. The problem wasn’t of course the small drip on the mat, but it was soaking the carpet.

I will remediate the carpet once I solve the problem. But wondering if this is a known issue???

I have no sunroof or roof rack mods. My door seals are clean and fresh. Door panel drains seem clear. Drains at the base of the wipers seem clear and drain freely to the ground. Windshield appears to be OEM. No wrecks or car fax issues when purchased. Also, I’m 100% sure it’s not the a/c lines. That ran on full blast all summer with no issue, it’s only after a rainfall.

I’m stumped. Could the wiper drain have some kind of hole in between the engine compartment and dash?
There is no issue in the engine compartment, but I do notice some rust actually starting on the steering component above the pedals.

Help appreciated. Love this ride other than this issue.

Edit: Took it to the dealer, they are saying at some point a new windshield was installed with non OEM parts. I’m not sure I buy it, the windshield had the decal or logo with the Japanese plant. So the fix is a new windshield I might be able to have insurance cover. They are also recommending replacing the carpet for $4800, which I won’t be doing at the dealership, but totally bummed out.

 

Most is always the sunroof.

But since you don't have I'd honestly grab the water hose.

 

I’ve tried to reproduce with the hose. I can’t. It’s only there after a rain. Ugh.

 

Do you know if there are drains under the driver carpet for non sun roof models?

 

I don't think so.

Maybe if can get hands on a smoke machine can smoke it from inside and see if anything comes out. Little better than getting everything wet.

 

Tape the windshield seals where it meats the body with blue painters tape. Make sure it's tight. Next rain check for water. In the mean time dry out the carpet before it mildews.

 

thanks for that thought, that would at least eliminate or confirm it’s a windshield issue. I’m afraid there’s probably already some mildew. I’ll be ripping out carpet and replacing no doubt. The entire floor is soaked and it clearly has been happening for some time prior to my ownership.

 

https://www.4runners.com/threads/wet-driver-side-floor-board.18715/

Read here also. He found his and fixed it.

 

Thanks so much. This guy had the same issue I think. Cites a grommet by the brake reservoir and hood latch cable as the culprit.

I know what a brake reservoir is, but grommets and cowlings are a little above my vocabulary presently. I’ll work on it though.

TY for pointing out this old thread.

 

It sounds like water is traveling down the hood latch cable and leaking into the cabin. Either through the rubber boot where the electrical harness and brake cable enters, or the water is traveling inside the cable sheathing, and dripping out where it connects to the parking brake pedal

My bet is that the water is somehow getting inside the cable sheathing and just running inside it until it meets the connection at the pedal. Which would mean water is getting inside the sheathing at the latch mechanism in front, or there is a break in the sheathing somewhere along it.

 

That’s a really good thought.

 

Water drain hose in the body and maybe leafs clogged the drainage under the windshield.

 

Thanks for weighing in, what’s “water drain hose in the body” mean? I checked the drains at the base of the wipers, those seem very clear.

 

Sorry I see that you don’t have sunroof. In my opinion it’s either the windshield seal or something is clogged under the windshield plastic cover and that’s why the water goes inside. Open the hood and try to check under the windshield then remove the plastic cover. A flashlight can be handy.