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Clogged drain on sunroof

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 3:14 pm
by andre66
Hi folks,
my sunroof is leaking right at the location of the drain, so i assume the drain is clogged and the water is backing up and leaking into the interior.
What are some suggestions for unclogging the drain?
Thanks
Andre

Re: Clogged drain on sunroof

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:06 pm
by Mystery Machine
I don't know what you'd call it over in Canada, but first off use some of that drain cleaner (the thick stuff that fizzes). Get the area nice & wet first, then pour it down, leave for 1/2 hour and see if it has cleared. If not, unbend a wire coat hanger and gently start to feed it down the drain tube. This will probably dislodge any debris in there. Keep flushing with lots of water while you do this.

Re: Clogged drain on sunroof

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:08 pm
by torchard
Drain? Is this for pop-up type or motorized or both?

Re: Clogged drain on sunroof

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:32 pm
by andre66
Mystery Machine wrote:I don't know what you'd call it over in Canada, but first off use some of that drain cleaner (the thick stuff that fizzes). Get the area nice & wet first, then pour it down, leave for 1/2 hour and see if it has cleared. If not, unbend a wire coat hanger and gently start to feed it down the drain tube. This will probably dislodge any debris in there. Keep flushing with lots of water while you do this.
I will give this a try, Thanks. Torchard it is a motorized sunroof.
Andre

Re: Clogged drain on sunroof

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 9:22 pm
by delicat
Andre,

Seems like you have a low roof so you're probably talking about the large rear sunroof. If I recall right, these have drains at the front and at the back (those you might not see easily). The front one have a much shorter drain tube but the rear ones are routed all the way to the back of the van and exit around the rear wheel arch. Just to keep in mind...

Let me know how it goes, I'm curious as I have a low roof coming shortly... but not saying more at this time!

David

Re: Clogged drain on sunroof

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 1:35 pm
by Morganizer
Hi, I'm troubleshooting a problem with water in the cabin. Windows get dewy whether I drive it or not, have to wipe the sunroof and windows with a rag every day or two.

One day when it dropped below freezing overnight, by sealt belt was frozen inside the pillar. This suggest water is getting in there, and points to the drainage from the sunroof. (which brings me here).

Today I inspected the front drainage hoses, and they both have dribbled water onto the pavement, but the driver's side is loose -- when I wiggle the spigot, I can hear the hose flopping around inside the pillar. Wiggle the passenger's side spigot, and no flopping around.

So let me run this theory by you: drain hose is clogged, water trapped inside it. Winter comes, water freezes, cracks the hose. Subsequently rain water that gets in around the sunroof goes down the hose and leaks out into the pillar. Stagnates there, evaporates and gets all over the windows.

Now -- why wouldn't the water just drain out of the pillar? Next tot he spigot, I can see a gap has been left open at the bottom of the pillar. Gotta stick something through there, make sure it's clear...

Can I test the drainage from the sun roof by pouring water down there, like with a watering can? Gee, I hate to make my problem worse by adding water. Where do I pour it? How do I reach the top of the drainage hoses, as described above in the coat hanger procedure?