Leaking water from the rear ceiling

THIS! I had to have my antenna (shark fin) replaced and sealed up after a car wash broke it off. I was told by the body shop that yes, water can get into the headliner if the cover and antenna has been bumped or knocked off.

 

FOUND THE CULPRIT! (The main culprit at least, I hope more isn’t leaking because I really don’t want to pull the whole headliner.)

A lot of water is coming from where the satellite antenna comes through the roof and it’s also dripping down that wire. The bottom left of the photo is the hole for the center fastener. The trim pieces on either side don’t look or feel wet so it doesn’t seem to have gone that far

 

I have kayaks up there occasionally and when I was first strapping them up there it was rubbing on the fin. Doh

 

Hey great, it's an easy fix so rock on.

 

Thanks for the help everyone!

 

The antenna gasket looks fine, there’s just some dirt between it and the roof. There’s also a slight bend upwards in the metal where I circled, seams like it was either over tightened at the factory or bumping the fin side to side pulled up on it. It’s only like a 1/16” though and the gasket seams like it’s thick enough to make up for that. My guess is the dirt was making a space for water to get through. Gonna seal it and put it back together.

 

the shark fin roof metal has to be thicker in the mounting area. so the metal distorts and creates a leak. again many had these leaks when the fin gets whacked... do not go to a car wash ...

 

This is not confidence inspiring... and extra annoying since I dont like sat radio, so it’s totally wasted for me.

Is there an easy way to remove this antenna and seal the area off? My LFD crossbars shipped, and Ill be using them for an 80lb kayak soon. Even though the bars are higher than the sharkfin, it probably wont take much to accidentally bump it.

 

Just hypothesizing about other causes. The dirt may or may not have effected it. I know a little pine needle stuck in weather stripping can cause seepage, so yah never know

 

You could get a delete for it. This one looks pretty slick but pretty pricy.

https://gofastcampers.com/products/4runner-antenna-delete

Got a 3D printer? You could make it whatever shape you want. Or JB weld it

 

I wouldn't worry as much about a car wash unless it's an extra nasty one for some reason. There are millions of vehicles on the road all makes and models with the same "fin" antenna. Tons and tons of them visit a car wash everyday.

 

That's entirely dependent on the car wash. There are a few that really have their entire cycle dialed in. I was in an area I wasn't familiar with (same chain car wash though) and I noticed that not only was the speed in which we were going through the car was was fast, but both side mirrors got kicked forward. I inspected my vehicle afterwards and noticed it took one of the weather strips in the roof channel off. I simply filed a claim and they paid for the entire job at the body shop.

I say that to say some are great, some are not. It doesn't deter me from car washes, I just know not to go to that one anymore.

 

I am currently experiencing this very issue with my 2011 SR5. I was wondering if you discovered the exact location of the leak and what the solution was? Thanks in advance!

 

I think the source of the leak is a few posts up, along with resolution.

 

plastic breaks down UV black then the seals damaged around 8-12 yrs then cracks and distortions with UV sun . the seals shrink over a few years.