Door drain plugs in or out?

[Kickin716]

Since I have seen lots of threads here and there about the drain or dust plugs in the door I wanted to see if I could get a definitive answer. I pulled them out of one door, took a look and snapped some photos and I honestly can't see why anyone would leave them in. There are no other drain holes in these doors for water to escape if these plugs are left in. I wish there was some more guidance somewhere on that. Is there a general consensuses on in or out?

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[horbit]

I would say they prevent dust and bugs from getting in, but they should probably stay removed because water damage is much worse.

 

[Nodak]

the only problem i see with them is the gunk that accumulates in the drain hole itself. repeated hot summers and the grease for the door internals tend to melt down to the drain and picks up dirt easier. seems over the years i had to clean that weep hole out several times on my 2014.

the way the new plugs are designed from what i can see is that they are supposed to be removed as needed then re-installed.

but that how i see it with the new covers and that slight pull tab they have now.

 

[Kickin716]

the only problem i see with them is the gunk that accumulates in the drain hole itself. repeated hot summers and the grease for the door internals tend to melt down to the drain and picks up dirt easier. seems over the years i had to clean that weep hole out several times on my 2014.

the way the new plugs are designed from what i can see is that they are supposed to be removed as needed then re-installed.

but that how i see it with the new covers and that slight pull tab they have now.

That's an interesting take on things. Unfortunately I mangled the first two pulling them out, the one I took the picture of is the only one that's really still intact. I don't remember if my 5th gen had holes or plugs?

 

[Nodak]

That's an interesting take on things. Unfortunately I mangled the first two pulling them out, the one I took the picture of is the only one that's really still intact. I don't remember if my 5th gen had holes or plugs?

5th gen just had holes and they attracted dirt like mad when the door grease melted down to the drain hole.

they could get very nasty to the point they would plug.

forgot to add, those plug would help with fording if you needed that protection for the door internals.

 

[127.0.0.1]

the plugs should be left in
if they don't drain.... clean them out put plug back...or not

sometimes toyota applies too much wax inside doors
and that excess can sometimes clog drains (rav4 has had a lot of issues of this type)

 

[Kickin716]

the plugs should be left in
if they don't drain.... clean them out put plug back...or not

I don't understand your reply... Are you saying they'll drain water even if they're installed in the door?

 

[127.0.0.1]

I don't understand your reply... Are you saying they'll drain water even if they're installed in the door?

yes those plugs are designed to drain water they do not
seal off the hole completely. they are drains. if the hole is
sealed some debris is clogging it

if they were full seals every single one of us including 4runners on dealer lots
would have standing and sloshing water in the doors after a few rainstorms,
and that just doesn't happen. some might have standing water but those are
exceptions and those are clogged for some reason.

nearly all car doors are designed to allow for water ingress
because it is impossible to seal out water and still have a rolling window, so
they are designed to route water to the bottom with plastic barriers covering
the electronics and controls, and have drains at the bottom to let it out before
the water piles up.

 

[GreiWlf]

This seems logical.

 

[Kickin716]

yes those plugs are designed to drain water they do not
seal off the hole completely. they are drains. if the hole is
sealed some debris is clogging it

if they were full seals every single one of us including 4runners on dealer lots
would have standing and sloshing water in the doors after a few rainstorms,
and that just doesn't happen. some might have standing water but those are
exceptions and those are clogged for some reason.

nearly all car doors are designed to allow for water ingress
because it is impossible to seal out water and still have a rolling window, so
they are designed to route water to the bottom with plastic barriers covering
the electronics and controls, and have drains at the bottom to let it out before
the water piles up.

Thanks I will take another look at it. They were pretty tight against the door and I didn't see how water could possibly make its way past the plugs. People have removed the plugs only to have water come pouring out but it would be nice if they could be left in to keep out dust and still let out water.

 

[Kickin716]

Looks like Toyota calls it a "door shell seal"...

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