Sun roof WATER LEAK repair (Toyota Matrix - Pontiac Vibe)

[gatorftbllvr]

I currently own a camry with an inbuilt sunroof and have had on occassion a water leak on the two front corners. I wasn't aware of drain holes so I assumed I just didn't have a good seal when I shut the window the previous evenings. I thought Ive been insuring that this wouldn't happen again by opening (not tilting) the window a few inches and reclosing. It has worked thus far as Ive not had anymore leaks but now I see I need to ck for clogs. THANKS for the heads up its much appreciated!

[Taxminia0311]

Is anyone having tire wear prior to the warranty running out on their matrix/vibe due to front toe alignment issue and if so how did you take care of the matter, I'm asking being that I read it in a toyota forum and they supposedly solved the matter w/these so call adjustable cam bolt that need to be place to the front wheel in order to correct the tires from wearing out prior to their warranty...hit me up if anyone knows about this.

[earltuckian]

@Taxminia0311 YES! Off topic but I did fix one with this problem. Yes, there is an "offset" bolt kit to correct it.

NOTE: Always Toyota is cheaper than the Pontiac dealer for identical mechanical parts! (99.99% of the time.) Often the Pontiac price is almost double the Toyota price! Same parts, different part number.

[burdphil]

@earltuckian You are the man for posting this vid, thanks so much. I owe you one!

[byevchak]

Thanks for creating & posting this video! I've had this problem, on the drivers side, on and off for years- seemed like no rhyme or reason when it would strike. I kept a towel in my car to soak up the water and just lived with it. Then the passenger side just started with the same problem, and I searched to see if others have had this problem- and I found this video. Indeed the holes just inside the sunroof were clogged- it's fixed now and no more leaks! Thanks again!

[wholearmorrecordings]

Thanks for the video, really helped me understand what might be the cause of my leak. Thanks again.

[Bswee109]

Thank you so much!!! I have been going crazy thinking that my leak was coming from an new windshield. I went out yesterday in the rain and tried this and found a piece of rubber that I think was blocking the hole. Today it rained all day and my car is dry!!! You saved me a ton of money!!!

[earltuckian]

@Bswee109 Superb! I am glad this worked for you as well.

[filup55]

Okay, this explains a lot but how do you CLEAN the clogged hoses? I've seen different suggestions-lawn trimmer string (plastic filament stuff) or using an air hose/compressed air...in the past my Toyota dealer apparently used the latter with their "special attachment". Since I'm unemployed, I'm electing to try the trimmer string. I know where the water drains at the fender wells and will try to respond with results later today (no trimmer string-WallyWorld opens at 7)

[earltuckian]

@filup55 EXCUSE ME but mine was clogged right at the hole entrance. I used a blow gun and compressed air as the hose diameter is larger than the opening at the drain. I did not know that the hose could be clogged deeply inside. It sounds to me like you already know the answer to your question? The weed eater string seems to be the brilliant solution to your specific problem. Thanks for the heads-up. I am sure other people with deeply clogged drain hoses will appreciate this reply.

[mangosonic123]

i have the same problem on my celica, when i checked my drainage holes, there is no drainage pipes to remove the water grrrr must have been repaired by some rough dodgy lebo before i bought the car... grrr... i will have to check if possibly the pipes have fallen off in the roof but i believe there arnt any, and i will have to change my roof lining grrr

[hosm3m6]

thank you

I have the same problem with my GOLF GTI mk3

I will follow your instruction

[saftee]

Hey thanks for this video. I was on my way to have the fellow at the gas station look at my 2002 Toyota Camry because of this leak and decided to google it first and there you were. You saved me a quite a few bucks I'm sure. It was an easy fix but I didn't even know there were drain holes up there.

[earltuckian]

Very cool. Glad it worked out AOK for you.

[TheSmartdude11]

@earltuckian hi um...ive had problems with my actual sunroof leaking like through the weather stripping but the drains work and everything thank god but would you know y the water is comming through the weather stripping ive had my dealer fix it over 6 times and it still leaks

[earltuckian]

@TheSmartdude11 If this repair is a warranty issue, then at this point you should take it to arbitration. Often, in a dealership body shop, the technician is often the "new kid" and he has no experience. In the service department, often it is the guy who does simple warranty repairs and oil changes. Even though the drain holes may be open, this doesn't mean that one or more of the drain pipes are not off the nipple as shown in my video.

[earltuckian]

@TheSmartdude11 If they are not taking down the headliner to look, then they will not know this. Or there could have been some damage to the roof mechanism. i.e. Something heavy was placed upon or someone stood upon the glass sunroof and this pushed the roof downward away from the seals. I suspect one of the hoses is not in place at it's connection. Sounds like it's time to try another dealership and explain your frustration about how many times it has been in for this same problem.

[TheSmartdude11]

@earltuckian theyve taken down the headliner many times and well it still leaks but if i take it to another dealer wont it end my warranty because i just bought the car last november ? and its kind of ridiculous its a brand new car but i guess i should take it somewhere else

[earltuckian]

@TheSmartdude11 - Warranty should be applicable at any dealership, & I think you need to call the toll-free number & begin the arbitration process. You will have mildew smell and obviously after six tries you have a problem that the dealer you are using can't solve. If Toyota, you may be OK. But if GM, there will be a point where they blow you off as a malcontent! (I've been there with a constantly malfunctioning $50K Chevy Suburban truck which is the last GM vehicle I will ever own.) Good luck.

[TheSmartdude11]

@earltuckian ya ok thanks btw its a hyundai elantra touring

[JacobWeinberg]

I have the same problem. I have a 2006, but without a sunroof...I have no idea how the water is getting in, but after a few days of rain, water starts pouring out between the seam between the A pillar and the roof. Is it coming in at the upper corner of the window shield? How about along the roof racks? All I know is that left leg knee keeps getting soaked :P

[earltuckian]

Probably it is the roof rack. It could be the windshield. Has the windshield been replaced? Because the factory installations very rarely leak, but replacements this is more common. Probably the best way top repair this is the take down the headliner and then have someone use a garden hose to spray the car. This way you will find the point of entry.

Thank you for watching.

[JacobWeinberg]

@earltuckian thank you for your reply...How do you remove or at least separate the headliner from the 'a pilar' plastic?

[earltuckian]

The "A pillar" plastic pieces come off first. Firmly grasp them at the top edge and pull away at 90 degrees. You can break them if they are too cold or from using excessive force. There are plastic prying tools that are made for doing this. A wooden kitchen stirring paddle is a suitable pry bar to coax it loose. The objective is to get as close to the clips with the prying tool as possible. Be gentle and patient. Then take off the sun visors and center mirror (Phillips screws)

[james92y]

I found the same problem this morning after buying a 06 ford f250 .. they said they fixed it.. I came home and checked it this morning .. same leak... So i tore into it myself . same as you exsposing the pillar. and found the drain was clogged and also the way the rain was filling up is a peice of the seal had slipped off the glass and was sealling properly. so you might want to make sure you chceck your seal.. thanks for the video. i was going to make one but i found yours. lol . bye James

[DriftKingFeter]

good video, i have a toyota sienna and have the interior soak after a rain due to clog drain hole. thank for the video

[earltuckian]

Thank you for your reply. I hope this helps other owners as the dealership labor rates can get pretty expensive for something this simple to repair.