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Toyota RAV4 Leaks

21 messages,  Last post on Nov 13, 2012 at 12:59 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota RAV4, Interior, SUV

Messages Page 1 of 2

#1 of 21 interior leak by cargovan

Jan 08, 2008 (11:35 pm)

I drive a 2002 Toyota Rav4 and my recent problem is that I have a leak that in the front passenger's side floor area. Prior to that I didn't have the windshield replace or had a collsion. I did change a new battery which is located in the front passenger's side. The leak seem to occured through the side wall of the passenger's side. The leak seem to start after the new battery was installed. My question is that normal for 2002 Rav4 or did I forget a procedure when removing and installing the battery. I found out the leak when there was rain for three straight days.

#2 of 21 Re: interior leak [cargovan] by sdc2

Jan 09, 2008 (6:27 am)

Replying to: cargovan (Jan 08, 2008 11:35 pm)
I am not familiar with the 02 RAV, but my last vehicle had that exact problem...turned out to be rust between the windshield seal and the roof metal at the top of the windshield. Water was leaking in there, running along the headliner and down the A-pillar trim and was not visible until it showed up on the floor. Point being the water could be coming in a ways from where it is showing up...

#3 of 21 1997 Rav4 with water leaking issues by mcdonnele

Jan 17, 2008 (9:15 am)

I have recently purchased a 1997 Toyota Rav4, and I might get to like it IF I could get the water leaking from under the cargo space rug to stop. Has anyone had experience with that. Does anyone know what the problem might be or where the water is coming from. There is no water on the inside walls or door, but the carpet is very wet. Thanks.

#4 of 21 Re: 1997 Rav4 with water leaking issues [mcdonnele] by Rav4Nation

Dec 21, 2008 (12:23 pm)

Replying to: mcdonnele (Jan 17, 2008 9:15 am)
Hello Friend, I too have a Rav4 (2003) with wet carpet in rear cargo area. Had to throw away the wood cover underneath the cargo carpeting because it had mold growing on it. Thought it was coming from the big rubber plugs, there are to big round ones in the floor of this cargo area, so put caulking around them and reinstalled and thought I had it licked. Hadn't checked on it in a long time and just today I looked and it's wet again. Not sure what the cause is but am getting really tired of the musty smell it is causing. Never had any rear end repairs or body work.
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!!!!!!!

#5 of 21 Re: interior leak [cargovan] by evitanza

Feb 26, 2009 (3:24 am)

Replying to: cargovan (Jan 08, 2008 11:35 pm)
I also have a 2002 toyota RAV4 and am having the exact same leak in the front passenger side floor area. Did you diagnose the problem and come up with a solution and how much did it cost? I am very interested in a solution as it is rainy season, my mechanic didn't have any ideas and suggested I go to a body shop.
Thanks.

#6 of 21 Re: interior leak [cargovan] by bassfishing

Apr 01, 2009 (5:19 pm)

Replying to: cargovan (Jan 08, 2008 11:35 pm)
Hi, we also have a 2002 Toyota Rav4 and developed a leak in the front driver's side of the car. After much research, we discovered that the drain wells from our sun/moon roof were clogged. If you have one of these, I suggest that you open the sun roof and look carefully. You will notice two tiny little holes, one in front, and one in the rear of the sun/moon roof tracks. Over time, these become clogged with dust and debris. You need to find a long, sturdy piece of thin wire and run it down the holes. To test if you have properly unclogged these, take a small amount of water and pour it down the holes. You should see water coming out of the drain wells under the car around the rear of the front tires. Hope this helps.
 
We have also recently developed a leak in the rear cargo area as well. We have taken all the carpet out of the car as well as all of the sidewell liners. The water is coming out from the roof area and running down the headliner, coming out around the seal of the left rear passenger door window area and draining into the cargo compartment. We are currently investigating the exact cause of this leak and will update you when we have determined how to fix it.

#7 of 21 Interior Leak 2002 Rav4 by evitanza

Apr 06, 2009 (12:08 am)

Thank you so much for your post bassfishing. I followed your very detailed instructions and in fact it the problem did stem from the drainage holes in my sunroof totally clogged with dirt. I've cleared them and they seem to be draining properly now.
 
As for the rear cargo area, I have not yet had that problem but would appreciate hearing your solution as it is probably another drainage design flaw on the RAV4 that might occur with mine, in time.

#8 of 21 Leak by claire11

Apr 27, 2009 (5:59 pm)

Hi,
I am currently experiencing the same problem, in my drivers side nearly under my seat. Is this the cargo space? I have sat in my car in the rain to see where it might be coming from, but no answer yet.
Do any of you have any other suggestions? as its really starting to smell and Im concerned it will be causing rust.
 
Thanks

#9 of 21 leak by evitanza

Apr 27, 2009 (10:32 pm)

If you have a sun/moon roof, the solution is most likey what solved my problem which is best described by the bassfishing post in this chain of posts. there were tine holes in my sunroof mechanism that were clogged on both sides and drained underneath both the passenger and drivers side carpet. It just so happened that the passenger was completely blocked where the driver's was still draining.
 
If you don't have a sun/moon roof, it probably is still a drainage problem from your roof, windshield area, see above postings, as I learned that runoff drains, when operating properly underneath the drivers and passenger floor. So, look as suggested for remote drainage problem.

#10 of 21 Re: 1997 Rav4 with water leaking issues [Rav4Nation] by bassfishing

May 13, 2009 (10:17 am)

Replying to: Rav4Nation (Dec 21, 2008 12:23 pm)
I feel your pain! We recently went through this exact issue but have now solved it. Your wet carpet in the cargo area of your Rav4 is probably comming from your sun/moon roof if you have one. There is a drainage tube that runs from the sun roof along the top side of the car, down the side and stops just about the level of the bottom of the side window in the cargo compartment. You can't see these tubes because they are covered by the head and side liners of the vehicle. These tubes get clogged with dirt and debris over time. We determinded this was the cause of our wet carpet by taking out the head liner of the car and the side liner and ran a hose over the sun roof. My husband sat in the cargo compartment and watched the water just pour out of this drainage tube into the car. I will get detailed instructions from him on how to clear these tubes out and post it as soon as I can. It is VERY important to clean these tubes and the tubes that drain into the front driver and passenger side of the car EVERY MONTH. If you do not, this is a problem that will happen again and again. My husband has now purchased a small air compressor and blows these tubes out each and every month to prevent this from happening again. Hope this information helps.

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