How to access sunroof drain tubes?

[Grinchxvx]

I left my car outside over the weekend during a nasty storm and came back on Sunday to the driver back carpet soaked and the front driver carpet a little wet. I've managed to dry them out since then and no damage was done but I'm trying figure out how to clean the drains which I suspect it's coming from. any ideas? No areas in the headliner were wet but I don't know how else water could get into the car besides that

[twin fed]

You will have to drop the headliner, there is no other way to access them. You might not have to drop it completely, but that will make it easier. The drain tubes are at the 4 corners, two run down the "A" pillar and two down the "C" pillar. Once you pull the drain tubes off the nipples sticking off the sunroof drain channel you can blow compressed air into the drain tubes to help clear them out. Hope this helps.

[Grinchxvx]

Originally Posted by twin fed

You will have to drop the headliner, there is no other way to access them. You might not have to drop it completely, but that will make it easier. The drain tubes are at the 4 corners, two run down the "A" pillar and two down the "C" pillar. Once you pull the drain tubes off the nipples sticking off the sunroof drain channel you can blow compressed air into the drain tubes to help clear them out. Hope this helps.

I was really trying to avoid that but looks like I'll have to. Did you do the black headliner swap? I'll have to look up the DIY for that and I'm sure it will show everything.

[m_thompson]

We had clogged sunroof drain tubes in my wife's 328xiT. The module for tire pressure sensors got flooded and killed communication with just about everything electronic. Quite an expensive fix.

[Grinchxvx]

Sounds very expensive, luckily it was mostly the back seat in my car so it didn't damage anything.

[twin fed]

Originally Posted by Grinchxvx

I was really trying to avoid that but looks like I'll have to. Did you do the black headliner swap? I'll have to look up the DIY for that and I'm sure it will show everything.

No, but I had my headliner, A, B & C pillars wrapped in alcantera

[MightyMouseTech]

Usually, a quick blast of compressed air down the tubes will clear them up. Just be careful, you can separate the tube at one of the connections, then you have no choice but to take everything apart.

Then just pour some water down the drains to flush everything out.

[Grinchxvx]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Usually, a quick blast of compressed air down the tubes will clear them up. Just be careful, you can separate the tube at one of the connections, then you have no choice but to take everything apart.

Then just pour some water down the drains to flush everything out.

I can get to the front ones but can't find the backs, I'm thinking maybe if I take out the sun roof I will be able to access the back. That's a lot easier than dropping the headliner

[MightyMouseTech]

The back ones will be WAAAAAY at the back, usually at the rear of the entire mechanism. For some reason, it is usually the fronts that get clogged first though.

[Grinchxvx]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

The back ones will be WAAAAAY at the back, usually at the rear of the entire mechanism. For some reason, it is usually the fronts that get clogged first though.

I'll blow out the fronts today and hope for the best next rain

[gap]

Just wondering how they get clogged. I sometimes open the sunroof when driving but always close it when I stop. When it is closed I assume it is fully closed and nothing of any size like leaves get in.

[Grinchxvx]

I honestly have no idea, I never even use my sunroof. Really just want to get rid of it tbh

[twin fed]

Well truthfully the sunroof is not a watertight seal to the roof. Hence the necessity for the channel with the drain tubes. When closed water and small particles pass through the seal and over time build up with whatever else got in there when the sunroof is open. And this is what clogs up the tubes.

[MightyMouseTech]

Moonroofs are designed to leak, and a surprising amount of water gets through, especially if you go through a high pressure touchless carwash. Then the water that gets by goes into the drip pan, and out the drain tubes.

[JayPichardo]

Mine is doing it too, must find a fix!

[Dackelone]

As MightyMouseTech you can use some compressed air. Perhaps some DustOff might be better bc of its lower air pressure. You don't want to use shop air hose at 110 psi!!

I've also seen some techs use a LONG wire, sliding down the sunroof drain tubes. OPEN the S/R... you will see the front drain holes on the cassette mechanism. Be gentle!! Also clean all the debris that up under the glass S/R.

Dack

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

As MightyMouseTech you can use some compressed air. Perhaps some DustOff might be better bc of its lower air pressure. You don't want to use shop air hose at 110 psi!!

I've also seen some techs use a LONG wire, sliding down the sunroof drain tubes. OPEN the S/R... you will see the front drain holes on the cassette mechanism. Be gentle!! Also clean all the debris that up under the glass S/R.

Dack

We just use shop air to clean them, but not at full power. Blast too hard and the lines can pop off. Too low and you are not doing anything.

[JayPichardo]

Thank you