Where is the leak coming from?

Hoping one of you kind folk can help a fellow 4-runner owner out. Installed the Sherpa crestone a few weeks back. It’s been raining the past few days, so haven’t gone out much. When I finally got in the truck today, noticed the inside of windshield wasn’t just foggy (as it gets with colder temps), but was wet as well. Looking under driver seat, noticed the floor underneath was pretty wet. Same for floor mats of the backseat directly behind driver. Havent been able to find any water on seatbelts, as I would assume that’s where water would come through. What are the chances this is from the installation of the rack? It comes with rubber blocks, so I didn’t use silicone. Did I just not tighten enough? What should I do next? Any help would do…

 

Do you have a sunroof? If so, it could be a drain clog. There are some threads on how to find and fix that issue.

 

That crossed my mind, but wouldn't there have to be water spots near where it opens? If so, the interior roof of the cabin is completely dry.

 

The first symptom people usually report is wet floors.

 

Do you park on an incline?

 

Nope, flat driveway

 

Try to tighten it so the rubber seal on the washer squeezes out a little. I just installed my sherpa rack a few weeks ago. I didn't use silicone either. Getting lots of rain here in NorCal. So far no leaks.

 

Not sure it makes a difference but I filled all of the gaps between the Sherpa rubber blocks and the roof weather strips as your picture shows too and so far no leaks on mine.

 

Managed to check sunroof drains, and they were clear. Just found out the trunk area also has wet floor mats...

 

Yikes! I hope you get it figured out.

 

At this point, I would remove the entire rack and reinstall from scratch. This time apply silicone.

 

I think we have discovered WHY you have water inside your cabin. The rubber blocks are to prevent noise & paint chipping. You use silicone to STOP water from getting into open holes on your roof. I suggest you remove the rack, re-install it properly (using a generous amount of silicone & the rubber blocks).

Then get a wet/dry vac and get all the water out of your truck.

 

Few things:

1. I would expect rubber blocks to stop water with proper torque if they are squishy enough. I only have thin rubber pads per gobi install and they've been fine for over 3 years now
2. Even if water were leaking from the roof mounts - how did it soak the cargo area? Rear mounts are above C-pillar I think but usually wet the seat belts. For the cargo area to be soaked that's more than a drip - water would have to be pouring in?
3. There is a lot of debate as to whether silicone should be used vs an RTV or whatever rubber type substance. I would recommend research before adding anything beyond install instructions

Overall though I agree that a remove and reinstall may be needed. If instructions said no sealant needs to be added then it's either install error or poor design and if the latter, contact the manufacturer.

Based on how much water has leaked, and where, I'd suspect sunroof drains as well but if that's been ruled out... is OP sure no windows were cracked? Including back window?

 

Out of curiosity, what did you do to check sunroof drains?

 

Bytul tape is what I’ve heard is best for anything that penetrates the roof. Supposedly stays a tacky rubbery consistency without ever drying out.

 

I just ran some weedeater string down both drains and afterwards poured some water down each, making sure the water came out from beneath.

 

No windows were cracked. Feel like I'm running out of ideas here, but thankfully no rain in the forecast for quite awhile...I just find it odd that there are no signs of any water in the interior roof or seatbelts...and even when I managed to check the sunroof drains, the area looked quite dusty/dirty (never really open it whatsoever, and didn't look like water had been near the area anyways)

 

That sounds like they can definitely be ruled out then

Yeah, I mean everything I've read so far has pointed to wet seat belts for roof rack mount drips because they are underneath but you've obviously got a substantial leak. If no leaks before install and water intrusion now then seems highly likely it's the roof mounts.

At this point I would disassemble and reassemble. Maybe add the bytul tape or other sealant (I've read RVT or RTV is similar in that it's rubber based and won't dry out like silicone). If that wasn't part of the install instructions and you're sure the initial install was correct I'd reach out to manufacturer as well.

Sorry to hear about your troubles but keep us posted on any other findings or remedies so others can learn

 

So you didn’t run water down them first? The weed eater string would clear any blockages if it was blocked, so if plugged drains were the cause, you wouldn’t be able to tell. Unless the string came out pristine at the drain exits.

 

I'll be honest, my dumb-self immediately resorted to just running the string down without first checking. I felt silly for not checking first, but the dirt and dust that were present around the drain seem like it hasn't had any water near that area for quite awhile anyways....

 

Haha, good thought! I wasn't thinking about logical order there. Also, aren't there filters at the end of the front drains? I've never figured out why.

Clogged front drains would explain the water in the front but I don't think weed whacker line would clear those out unless they were removed and cleaned

 

I've finally figured out what happened! I have cracked this case. You pissed off one of your neighbors. They are SO envious of how cool your SloRunna looks, that they broke in and had a wild orgy. Those are "love" juices.

This is the only plausible theory, and I think one we can all agree on. Go talk to your neighbor and apologize for having such a pimp' ass ride.

 

Upon a 4Runner, proud and fair,
A roof rack leaks, much to despair.
Through crevice small, the rain doth sneak,
Inside, the drops their havoc wreak.

 

T. S. Eliot, that you?

 

Just in to spell butyl correctly.

I have heard that it is much preferable to silicone by those who've used it.

 

If yours is still dry inside after all the recent rains in CA, I'd say you did it right.

 

A word from the inexperienced (on roof racks, anyway). How much of a pain would it be to return things to original and check for leaks again? More of a pain than you already have? Doing so would at least confirm, I think, whether it's related to the new rack. Especially with the current dry spell you mentioned.

 

Hmm thanks for posting this for new owners looking to purchase this and other off brand roof racks. It may be in everyone best interest to silicone water proof the mounting points as they also have entry into the vehicle for water. Hope that fixes your issue.

I have seen tiny roof leaks around RV AC units and clogged drains.

 

I ran weed wacker string thru mine. Passed like shit thru a goose. The wet floor continued.

There is an X shaped fitting, (WHY?) at the bottom end of the drain lines. It effectively closes the line diameter to about 1/4". The line passed right thru the smutch at the line's end but didn't clear the blockage. Take the kick panels off low down in front of the doors, pull the line out. Take the #@×&% fitting off the line and you'll see improvement... Then take four sticks of dynamite and blow those fittings up...

 

In the electrical industry we try to NEVER penetrate the top of an outdoor enclosure when installing in the field. No matter what you do it will eventually leak, might take 5 minutes, might take 20 years. But it WILL leak.

Personally, I wouldn't put a hole in my truck's roof. But I pack light so with all the room in a 4Runner I've never had to haul anything on the roof...