Passenger front and rear floorboard wet NO sunroof and Vehicle not driven!

So I have searched all over and can't find anything other than sunroof drains clogged and AC condensation line clogged.

I do not have a sunroof, and the vehicle hadn't been driven in almost two weeks due to a bad fuel pump. We had a tremendous amount of rain and snow over that time and I found the passenger floorboard front and back wet under the all-weather mats while cleaning it out. I know the long way to check this is to pull moldings and plastics out and run water over it looking for leaks, I am hoping I can get some areas of known problems so I have somewhat of a starting point.

2015 Trail edition with 170k on it. No problems until the past few weeks other than normal maintenance. In the last two weeks, we had a fuel pump, then the Neutral safety switch, and now the water leak.

Thank you!

 

Do you know if anyone been into passenger door? It is common to see plastic sheet (looks like vapor barrier on a house) that prevents water ingress ripped off and not replaced when dealing with window lifters and such. If it rains a lot, water that gets past window seal can get inside. Also check drains at the bottom of the door, if these plug the door can actually fill up with water.

 

It is the rear hatch seal for me. Check the carpet in the cargo area. There is a TSB for this issue.

 

No one has been in them. We have owned this vehicle since it was new. Door drains could be clogged though.

Thank you. I will check this too. I do have a bolt or something loose in the hatch that happened just in the last month I have been meaning to fix.

 

When was the last time you had your windshield replaced?

 

It is the original windshield.

 

As far as I can tell the hatch is dry but it was sunny and warm today and the hatch was south-facing. More snow and rain on Thursday so I will see what happens.

 

Our of curiosity, how wet are we talking? Is it possible you are dealing with condensation? I know the seat bolts and brackets are all rusted out in my wife's Subaru just because of the shear moisture that condensates through. I have also seen huge areas of a house flood from condensation in an HVAC system, more than I thought was possible, so it has taught me that condensation can amount to much more water than one might expect.

EDIT: This can be especially the case if you are parked on grass of gravel, as more moisture evaporates up than on pavement.

 

Maybe the leak is coming through roof rack mounts?

 

Did you pull the carpet up? I didn’t feel sny moisture until I pulled everything out and the sound deadening was soaked. I dam up the rear with towels and I don’t get water in the front and rear passenger side footwells anymore. I bought a new hatch seal but before I saw the TSB.

 

I did not think about that but I will check. Bringing it in tonight to tear apart.

I am sure the sound deadoning was wet but I haven't pulled it out yet. Going to tear it apart tonight and in the next few days to find it.

I work in HVAC so I am definitely aware of that on clogged drains. I am going to pull out the carpeting and stuff tonight so I can start looking.

 

Although, it’s possible excessive condensation is coming from water that has leaked into a vehicle from the outside. I had foggy windows for a while once on a car, after I left a window slightly open in a rainstorm.

 

This is what I see every time it rains. Water gets behind the seal and starts pooling on the floor.

 

Did you check the water drainage under the windshield? When you open the hood check in the passenger side. Pine needles can get into anything and clog the drainage.

 

So, I have this 4Runner torn down and the passenger side was completely soaked. Primarily in the front.

It is not the roof rack mounts.
No Sunroof so it is not that.
Under the hood is clear and no leaves, or debris built up in the rear corner.
The rear cargo was dry as can be.
The rear washer fluid line has no cracks, splits, etc.

I have it out in the rain now so we will see what happens.

 

A few quick notes. The Driver's side floorboard was the slightest bit damp. I have all weather mats. What could this be?

The windshield seal has a large gap but I am assuming that shoots straight down as a drain channel.

 

Pour some soapy water on the edges of the windshield and spray some compressed air from inside. If it forms bubbles you have a leak.
Check you door weather seals. At that age they are probably dry and have a poor seal. They will let water into the door and inside the car .
Touch the headliner to see if there are any wet patches.
Look around the pedals towards the firewall. Any dampness there.

 

I believe I have found it in a short time of this thing in the rain. It is leaking down just behind the dash in the passenger kick panel. Pics attached. I think this may be the windshield.

 

It’s not the windshield. It’s the water drainage under the windshield.

 

I Imagine some compressed air down there may help?

 

I believe you were correct. That passenger side channel behind that seal was plugged solid about halfway down the windshield. Some patience and determination with some trimmer wire got it unplugged and I am excited to get it outside tomorrow and run some water down there to ensure it is clear and leak-free.

I am waiting for the new rug to come in so I will take the time to add heated seats and the camera system for my wife.

Thank you, Noodles!

 

I’m glad that so far it’s an inexpensive fix. Please keep us posted.

 

I'm trying to envision the spot you are describing. The A pillar, or something else? Or maybe you could elaborate on where the trimming line entered? Or are we talking about the cowl here? Thanks and nice sleuthing!

 

This is the A-pillar seal to the windshield. Pics below.

 

Wow, I didn't even know this was a thing! Something else to add to the watch list. I hope that did it for you! Thanks for taking the time to post this. Pollen, etc. is truly problematic in these various drain systems.

 

Compressed air doesn’t help at this point so I appreciate you demonstrating the tool and the solution. I think I used some thin copper wire and folded back the end to make it smooth. People can also use string trimmer line. Before the application a little soapy water can help get through the dry/hard clogs. For maintenance the compressed air can work.

 

So if a windshield is "sealed" all the way around normally, how does a rising water column in the A pillar channel (due to blockage) cause a water intrusion into the cabin? Is it a body sealer or weld issue on the metal components?

 

Yes, It was jammed solid and took a little bit to get unplugged.

I ran water through it yesterday and it worked perfectly and no leaks inside.

 

Nice job figuring out where the problem was coming from! Sorry that you had to figure it out, but many of us have learned something new through your sharing of this. Thanks!