Leaking sunroof? Or something...

Hey everyone, I got a real mystery on my hands here. I kept noticing after rain storms that there would be a small amount of water on my driver's side floormat. After poking around a bit I figured out that the water was dripping from over by the right side kick-plate (not really sure that's what it's called, but I have a picture below). That's where I can get eyes on the drips, but they're coming from higher up, like maybe a-pilar or something.
Once I figured out that's where the water was coming from, my first thought was the windshield. I took a hose and flooded the windshield seal for quite a while and it didn't leak. I then noticed that where the windshield and wiper areas drain, basically dumps water right where the door hinges mount to the body. I was thinking maybe some of those bolts were the culprit, so I took the hose to those as well...still nothing.
After these attempts, my attention turned to the factory sunroof. I flooded the entire sunroof with the hose and got a bit of new leaking. I was thinking it must be that front drain on the driver's side, so I took a large garden sprayer and directed water right at that drain. Interestingly enough, when I target just the drain it doesn't seem to be an issue, but again, if I flood the entire driver's side of the sunroof with the hose I get the drips. Hopefully, that makes sense, not sure I did the best job explaining.
Anyone got any ideas?
Another question I have is if the sunroof looks like it's sitting correctly. The back edge of the glass sits about 4-5mm lower than the roof of the truck. Maybe that's just how it needs to be in order for it to put enough down pressure on the seal when it's latched?

 

Hi, I had a mystery leak in the same area as you. Check the pass through boots in your firewall I had wires going through and rain water was dripping onto the wires then getting through the boot. I goobered it up with silcone no more leak. Just something to check out.

 

Hey Joe, Funny you say that cuz yes, originally there were actualy two little puddles on the floor mat, and one was originating from exactly where you're saying. Mine was coming through the passthrough boot and dripping down the gas pedal. I got that one taken care of the other day. The one that's still driving me nuts is coming from higher up. Thank you though!

 

Hi, I have been installing auto glass for 30+ years. We see many sunroof leaks.
The good news is that Toyota sunroof drains are usually easy to access, locate and clean!
Most of the weird issues/problem described below will not apply to most Toyotas, but someone on the web will search it up and it will apply.

The usual culprit is a cogged front drain, but it can leak from having a big gap like the one pictured above.
The sunroof seal should touch the body opening around the entire glass unit.
The sunroof is designed to handle small drips of water all the way around, but if too much water gets in, the sunroof tray will flood and overwhelm the drains.
Adjusting/removing the sunroof usually involves loosening the 4 screws on the inside.
The screws are usually torx screws, On some vehicles there are plastic or rubber strips that must be removed to see the screws.
Loosen and tighten them by hand -NO POWER TOOLS- you can strip the threads on your sunroof glass unit out and then you will need a new glass unit.
Operate the sunroof 1st to make sure it is closed before you attempt to adjust it.
If you sunroof is too low in one corner or the front/back like the one above, loosen the screws in the affected area, lift with your hand (it helps to have an assistant to look at the outside to judge the height).
Tighten the screws and operate the sunroof to check the alignment.


If you need to clean a clogged drain, a length of weedeater string can be used to clear the drain.
You can also use (and sometimes it is necessary to use) compressed air with a rubber tipped air blower to clear the drain.
Be warned, if you use compressed air, the pressure can blow the drain hose off of the drain fitting on the sunroof.
If this happens, you will have to drop the headliner to re-attach the hose. (Not a lot of fun)

Open the sunroof, pour a SMALL amount of water into the sunroof tray, you may have to hold down the front wind deflector to pour it into the right area.
Using a measuring cup or an old dishwashing liquid bottle will allow you to accurately pour the water in the right area, stay near the edge of the window opening.
If the water ponds or drains very slowly, your drain is clogged.
To test the rear drains, the vehicle will need to be on an incline or jacked up so that the front is higher than the rear.
Pour water on the very outer edge of the opening and in small amounts, it will take several seconds for the water to come out, it has to travel a linger distance.
If you flood the tray or pour the water too far to the inside, water will run over onto the headliner and come out in all sort of places.

You will need to find to drain opening(s).
Usually you can see the drain with a flashlight, they will be directly in the corner or slightly off to the side.
On some vehicles, part of the frame may protrude in front of the drain opening, making it difficult to access the drain.
Push the string into the hole, depending on the design of the drain, the string may not go too far, because of a sharp bend in the drain hose.

At this point I should explain how the drains are made.
The sunroof unit usually has 4 drain points, that extend off of each corner.
The hoses attach to each of these points.
The front hoses run down the front a-pillars, usually on the inside, behind the a-pillar covers.
The hoses can exit in several different way and places depending on the manufacturer.
The rear hoses can exit in a variety of places.
I have seen on some vehicles that the material used in the hoses will shrink over time, pulling the hoses loose at the sunroof or at the drain point at the other end.

Good Luck!