OEM Roof Rack installation

[stec06]

I used sealant when I installed my roof rails for a couple reasons.

1) I got them secondhand from a forum user and the hardware and washers were used; figured they were supposed to be single-use items, so why not add some extra protection if reusing them, and...

2) OEM Tacoma roof racks were notorious for leaking if you just used the factory washers. I used sealant when I added them to my old Tacoma and never had a problem.

 

[arash]

The lack of sealant in OEM roof rack might be at least one of the causes of the mildew smell some are experiencing after rain: Car smells strongly like mildew after rain/wet

The amount of water that gets in could be small enough to not be noticeable, but enough to add moisture to form mildew in headliner. There was a report of someone in a facebook group who actually noticed a bit of water leaking through from a port installed roof rack, and the dealer ended up adding sealer to it on a reinstall.

I have the OEM roof rack and have been struggling to find out what causes the smell. I am considering doing a foam AC condenser cleaning service, but I don't smell anything from the AC so it seems like that would not fix the issue.

 

[Area 51]

5th slat just installed takes minutes, easy to order the correct one about 87 USD from BAM.
BAM for all toyota parts they stock, great prices especially on wheels when they have them.
Took 3 days to get here.

Yes use silicon sealant when you install the OEM rack, otherwise it could leak when the depression for the mounts fill with water.
I should have taken a picture, however it is obvious when your looking down on the mounting depressions.

 

[Area 51]

The lack of sealant in OEM roof rack might be at least one of the causes of the mildew smell some are experiencing after rain: Car smells strongly like mildew after rain/wet

The amount of water that gets in could be small enough to not be noticeable, but enough to add moisture to form mildew in headliner. There was a report of someone in a facebook group who actually noticed a bit of water leaking through from a port installed roof rack, and the dealer ended up adding sealer to it on a reinstall.

I have the OEM roof rack and have been struggling to find out what causes the smell. I am considering doing a foam AC condenser cleaning service, but I don't smell anything from the AC so it seems like that would not fix the issue.

It is very interesting if this resolves the problem??
Coukld very well be the culrpit.
I had not thought of this before when you posted.
I have not spent any time on the roof area. Now i have and encourage those that have any sense to use lots of sealant.
Those depressions will leak into the headliner.