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You will then notice a cross-shaped rubber piece if you look at the top of the fender wells. The culprit and the cause of all the issues is that silly rubber piece; when it gets blocked, the water cannot drain out quickly enough, backs up all the way, and overflows on the headlinner. The debris, which is visible, is what prevents the water from pouring out.
Remove the rubber cover, then thread some weed wacker wire up the drain line until it reaches the corner of the sunroof (approximately 3 feet).
Next, using a tire filler, carefully blow air into the drain pipe and blow it out. You can hear air escaping from the sun roof. When I performed the water test in the past, it took a very long time. Now, the water flows out really quickly. to allow the water to drain
In This Article...
Big gratitude to the forum, from which I have benefitted for a long time!
I recently discovered a sizable water pool on the front passenger side. After further research, it was discovered that the problem was brought on by clogged front-side sunroof drains.
For each of the four corners of the roof, there are four sunroof drains. Only the two front ones are covered in this DIY. So far, the rear ones are functioning properly.
I had to remove the front wheel well liner since I believed the drain holes were there. It was absent. The engine splash guard and front wheel well liner don’t need to be removed.
Actually, the shield directly behind the steering wheel is where the drain holes are. With regard to the actual place, the picture will make a lot more sense.
To prevent dirt from clogging the drain, there is a protective drain cap. There might be a more appropriate title for what I am referring to as a “drain plug.” It can be taken out by hand pulling.
In the drain cap, various organic materials had accumulated. I used a yard hose to wash it.
How do you flush them, stupid question? Do you simply spray water on the closed sunroof? Or is there a way to push water through each orifice without having to attach anything to them individually? I believed compressed air might also be effective.
A buildup of organic debris in the “drain plug” was the root of my problem. The drain functions flawlessly once again once I cleaned the drain plug. I put it to the test by putting water into the drain holes in the sunroof while the sunroof was open.
I came across several warnings on possible problems with compressed air. The drain tube could disconnect if there is too much effort applied. Finding out how to reconnect the drain tube probably won’t be a nice day. I was planning to attempt using a flexible wire if cleaning the drain plug didn’t work.
What do you have between the jack stand and the jack pad, off-topic? Since I’m new to BMW, I’ve noticed that those jack pads aren’t intended to come into close touch with jack stands because they frequently crack.
Type “bmw jack pad adapter” into Google. I chose the plastic variety. Then there is the aluminum variety.
Step 1:
To access the drains, you must first open the sunroof as this is the simplest method. I already know which drain is dripping, and typically I can figure that out by figuring out where the water is dripping or pooling. The base of the sunroof trim or frame has a hole that has to be found. In most cases, the drains continue down the roof or window posts, diverting water flow to the vehicle’s underside. Make sure there is no debris near the sunroof region when clearing the drain as this could aggravate the obstruction or result in another clog.
How long does it take to clear the drain on the sunroof?
Time Limit With the right equipment, you should be able to complete this operation in around five minutes. You can devote up to twenty minutes to thoroughly cleaning it if you want to go a little farther.
How is a sunroof seal cleaned?
The best approach to maintain your sunroof’s functionality is to regularly clean it. Give your sunroof some TLC every time you clean your automobile by following these instructions:
- If necessary, use a vacuum to thoroughly clean the entire visible surface after opening the sunroof.
- With a soft cloth, automotive cleaner, and a toothbrush, clean all the moving parts and the gasket surrounding the roof. Clear the tracks and slides.
- Lubricate all moving components with a tiny amount of heat-resistant, light-weight grease (such as white lithium).
- Consider using a glass cleaner for the window that doesn’t contain vinegar or ammonia. (These substances can evaporate in warm weather and irritate the respiratory tract if inhaled.)
How is a sunroof drain hose unclogged?
The fundamentals are that you can blow the drain tube off or use compressed air with a maximum pressure of 30 psi. To unclog the tubes, you can also use weed eater line (not metal line, as some “professionals” advise because that could pierce the delicate rubber drain tubes).
How can you determine if the drain in your sunroof is clogged?
Pour some water over the closed sunroof to see if any water leaks out the bottom of the car, then inspect the tube for any obstructions. You might have a blockage if you don’t see any water. Bring the tube into an auto repair shop if you believe there is a blockage there so that it can be cleared.
How do roof drains function?
Don’t freak out if you have a sunroof and you’ve seen some water leaks. Frequently, the fix is rather simple. Let’s begin by examining the components of your sunroof.
In reality, a conventional sunroof is a sizable component that mounts in your roof below the headliner. The glass, motor, housing, and tracks are all constructed as a single unit that can be removed and reinstalled. When the glass is closed, it will have a rubber edge to keep the majority of the rain out, but most drivers are shocked to discover that it is not a watertight seal.
Guttering surrounds the entire sunroof assembly to collect any water that may get past the glass. The water then travels to drains on the sunroof housing’s corners beneath the glass, where it pours through plastic tubes inside the car’s body and empties onto the ground.
Sunroofs frequently begin to leak when one or more of the drains become blocked. This makes it possible for rainwater to collect in the sunroof assembly and eventually overflow, leaking inside the car. Simply open the sunroof all the way up and look at the corners of the roof to check your drains. The drains should be visible as holes in each corner that are roughly the size of a pencil. Even though the rear drains are occasionally hidden, they frequently become clogged.
Pour some water into the gutter next to the drain to test it; if it empties onto the ground beneath the car, the drain is functioning properly. As you pour it in, you should see it spilling out at the closest tire.
You can typically unclog any blocked drains on your own. Instead of forcing the dirt and debris down the tubes, carefully try to draw it up and out of the drain using a thin wire. It will be far more difficult to unclog blocked tubes inside the body of the car. Pour warm water down the tube after the drain has been opened to remove any remaining debris.
The drain tubes inside the vehicle body could be unintentionally disconnected by the intensity of the blast, even though it might be tempting to blast the tubes with water pressure or compressed air to empty them out. Sometimes it takes quite a bit of work to get the tubes linked, so be patient and don’t apply too much pressure.
You should be able to keep your inside nice and dry during the impending April showers and beyond if you keep in mind to clean your sunroof drains at least once a year!
Why do roof drains become clogged?
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An instructional video showing how to unplug a roof drain. The speed at which sunroof drains clog will vary depending on where you live. Living near trees increases the likelihood of this happening because the air is filled with bigger particles that eventually clog drains. Typically, these drains enter the car through the roof pillars and exit somewhere underground. A wet headliner, water flowing from the headliner, a wet roof pillar, a damp carpet, or water accumulating in the foot wells are typical symptoms of a clogged sunroof drain.
Supplies & Tools Required:
- Trimmer cord or flexible wire
- can of air or an air compressor
- water bottle or cup
- vacuum up
- elastic hose
Do all sunroof-equipped vehicles have drains?
Get your roof drains cleaned All sunroofs are therefore equipped with built-in roof drains to ensure that any rainwater goes off without obstruction. The main issue is that those drains frequently get backed up. The drains can easily become clogged with leaves, pine needles, and other debris, but they are quite simple to clean.
How much does a leaky sunroof cost to fix? ?
This page’s content, which is based on actual customer reviews, is intended to assist you in deciding whether to have your car’s sunroof repaired professionally or on your own. Depending on what is wrong with your sunroof, prices might vary greatly, although they are generally not too expensive.
Repairing and replacing a sunroof is easy but costly if it is damaged. Depending on what needs to be repaired, the average cost of a sunroof repair ranges from $400 to $800. A new sunroof costs, on average, between $600 and $1,000. Given how many various elements affect pricing, determining the precise cost is challenging.
What are the signs when a sunroof is leaking?
When your sunroof is leaking, there are some obvious warning signals. If the interior of your car has a musty odor or you can actually see mold spores, there is probably too much moisture getting into the automobile. However, it is not always possible to identify the source of the moisture, and it is not always the sunroof. Water often travels downward, following channels, and ends up in the floorboards of a car, making it difficult to determine where it originated. Sometimes it’s evident because of stains and moist patches.
Your car’s interior might suffer a great deal from moisture. Mold problems can lead to unsightly moist areas as well as major health risks. In addition, moisture, if unchecked, can ruin the electronics in your automobile and potentially result in rust problems. Any leak needs to be addressed right away and should be treated carefully.
Your car can be the main suspect in a water leak if it has a sunroof. You might see water dripping from the sunroof directly, stains in the headliner near the sunroof, or even water in the car’s floor.
Is dripping from a sunroof typical?
False. It is true that some sunroofs leak. Sunroofs of high quality, however, do not. Premium sunroofs perform and are of a far higher caliber than less expensive sunroofs. The seals and hinge/handle hardware are where the variations are most noticeable. Most economy roofs, on the other hand, have seals made of neoprene that, when exposed to weather, rapidly deteriorate along with weak handles and hinges, often made of plastic, that won’t hold the glass securely, all of which lead to water leaks. Premium sunroofs, on the other hand, use a more expensive seal made primarily of silicone with a 20 year plus life expectancy and strong, heavy duty handles and hinges made of polycarbon.