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Can Sunroof Drains Come Undone? (Simple Clog or Tube Failure)
First of all I wanna give a shout-out to rkw77080 and BlackLexRX for their posts on my thread asking about the sunroof and C-pillar removal. You two really helped my friend and I save time and head scratching while taking apart the back and testing the sunroof drains.
So after 45 minutes of taking apart the backseat to see the rear sunroof drains and testing them, my friend and I have confirmed that my long battle with the leak has been the simple sunroof drains this whole time. But since we were unable to remove the headliner (due to time constraints) to see the full sunroof drain to fully determine if its a simple clog or tube failure, I've sided with it being a clog while my friend has sided with it being tube failure. So my question is that since it has been a decade now, I'm sure everyone on here has had a sunroof drain clogged from time to time, so has it been a simple clog or has anyone here had to replace or fix their sunroof drains?
Last edited by BTC89LS400; 11-19-17 at 11:18 PM.
Reason: Grammer
Please note that there are 4 drain hoses. If all of them are clogged, water collected in the sliding roof housing can over flow and drip onto the headliner. Since the moon roof is sealed and only a small amount of rain water can penetrate, one or two clogged hoses should not cause an over flow. I suspect one of the drain hoses may be disconnected or cracked.
It would be nice to know what drains can fail, and exactly where they are. On my Nissan, there was a power antenna drain in the rear right 1/4 panel. It has a metal T with the sunroof drain, and a tube leading to the outside with a grommet, and the T corrodes and leaks. Now, thanks to water pooling up in the well, it rusts from the inside out. First sign is the paint beginning to blister. Imagine having a car in AZ, and seeing your car rusting? If we can identify these weak points (if they exist on the LS), we can prevent future damage....my .02
All of the above. Clogs lead to disconnects but usually while cleaning. Examples are folks shooting air into the outlet simply blows the hose off at the top. Others use wire snakes from the top down and end up pushing the tube off.
I think I've heard of most every brand having failures.
If you park under pine or needle bearing trees, keep the roof shut or you will have problems that result in damage and a huge repair expense.
And depending on the angle you park at, any one corner being plugged can result in a leak.
Here is a long shot... Have you inspected the gutters along the edge of the roof for rust spots, which can allow water to enter the vehicle? The gutters are hidden under the decorative trims pieces, and can trap salt water or other corrosive road debris. Here is a picture (not mine) of the gutter with the trim piece removed.
Here is a long shot... Have you inspected the gutters along the edge of the roof for rust spots, which can allow water to enter the vehicle? The gutters are hidden under the decorative trims pieces, and can trap salt water or other corrosive road debris. Here is a picture (not mine) of the gutter with the trim piece removed.
Yeah I had originally thought it was the roof gutter so I went through and cleaned it and also JB Welded seams but I now I know its the sunroof drains. Although now the very sketchy seam that had an open spot is now 'welded' closed.
However, thankfully the number of times I've pulled that piece up, I haven't broken any of the clips!
Great Diagram. Where do the rear ones drain out? How do you clear these. Water is coming out on both driver and passenger side but not the rear carpets.
Please note that there are 4 drain hoses. If all of them are clogged, water collected in the sliding roof housing can over flow and drip onto the headliner. Since the moon roof is sealed and only a small amount of rain water can penetrate, one or two clogged hoses should not cause an over flow. I suspect one of the drain hoses may be disconnected or cracked.
Great Diagram, do you have one where the drain tubes terminate at the frame? Have seen You tube of pulling side panels and coat hangers into where the hose terminates in the frame. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQtc...ature=youtu.be need help
11-19-17, 11:16 PM
Can Sunroof Drains Come Undone? (Simple Clog or Tube Failure)
