Dave928S

I've searched all the posts I could find on this issue, but can't find the information I'm looking for. I'm tracking a one time leak which I can't solve (recent thread) and want to eliminate possibilities.

1. I want to check that the tubes are on the sunroof front drain spigots on my GTS are firmly in place, leak free and undamaged .... how difficult are these ends to access/what needs to be removed to to see?
2. What type of plastic tube is used and is it glued, clamped, or just pushed on?
3. What type of tube is it? ... PVC ... Nylon ... soft flexible ... hard
4. The tubes go down the inside of the front pillars and exit into the spaces behind the egg crate and the washer bottle and they are one continuous length... correct?
5. Is it just a tube exiting through a grommet at the bottom end, or does it connect to a metal spigot at that end too?
6. What sections of the path of travel of each tube can you see once trim is removed?

Any help and pics would be appreciated.

mallman

Hope this helps

Glenn M

I use a weed whacker line to snake down the hole to get them clear, two front and two rear.

Dave928S

Mallman ... thanks that's exactly what I needed to see for the top end. When searching I read that you need to be careful when cleaning so that you don't push the hoses off the spigot. How rigid are the hoses, and how easily do they slip off? I can see down mine a little way and can see that the tubes are still on, and can't see any step near the top of the line, so it seems they are not partially off.

Glenn ... thanks also. I've tried the weed whacker line but can't get it past about 3 feet or so on both sides, so they're clear to that point. I'm thinking that I'm hitting a bend or something in the way at the bottom of each .... anyone have a pic or more detail of the bottom exit points?

The right one works fine but the left one is slow/almost blocked. I'm suspecting that one might be pinched at the bottom as I've read a few have been?

Glenn M

If I remember they come out in the front fender well, if you remove the inner fender liner you should be able to see the line.

linderpat

They are soft. You can access from the bottom by going into the wheel well, behind the splash guards. They are easily popped off if someone tried to unclog them the wrong way. Best to use weed wacker nylon string, and push thru. If it doesn't come out the bottom (not too much pressure either so you don't pop them off) then they are clogged.

ROG100

Dave et all,
What was the end result please. On one of my 82 cars the right side drain is blocked. Weed wacker and gentle air pressure to no avail. I see you can access the lower end by removing the washer bottle. Did weed wacker work going up from below? Is it one piece of tube from the top drain all the way to where you see it protruding into the fender area?
Thanks,
Roger

Bilal928S4

If it is one piece, would pressurizing from below with an air hose help? And then simultaneously try the weed wacker from the top. Would like to understand this system better.

FLYVMO

Here's a picture of the exit point of the front sun roof drains. It is a fairly soft hose. If it is clogged, try some detergent/water and pour into it from inside the car. Let sit overnight. Use a bike brake cable (stiffer than a weedwacker line) to work the dirt loose.

Roger: Yes it is one solid line all the way through the A-pillar

Cheers!
Carl

jpitman2

I have had a few experiences of trying to clear things like this pushing things through, and have found it helps a lot to have the end of the pushed item well rounded and smoothed off, as they tend to dig in the tube easily, or snag somehow. Also twisting the item while pushing can help to navigate bends.
jp 83 Euro S AT 55k

Dave928S

Hi Roger
On the GTS the left front drain was blocked and backed with dirt up all the way up the tube. Going at it from the top just packed it in harder, not helped by the square cut end of the weed wacker line. DO NOT use air pressure, no matter how gentle, from the top as you risk pushing the hose off the sunroof spigot.

I got the drain clear by sanding the end of the ww line to a point, so that it would penetrate the dirt and negotiate bends better, and rotated it as I pushed from the bottom. This slowly dislodged the dirt and I knew I was making progress as dirt and water dropped out. You don't get this indication from the top and are likely to pack it harder as you push down, and you may even push the hose off the spigot if you push too hard. I used some air from the bottom as I went to dislodge dirt, but be careful as this can pack it hard as well (turn the regulator right down to avoid giving it 100psi).

As these drains seem to be prone to slow silting up slowly, its probably a good idea to run some fresh water down them every few car washes to ensure they stay clear.

Edit: just saw you post jp ... confirms my experience re tapering the end of the line as above.

WallyP

Weed whacker line is available in 0.105", and in square or star cross-section. Using such line, rotated at moderate speed with a battery-powered drill, has worked well. You might need to start with a short piece, then a longer piece, then a longer piece(max 3').

EDIT - Dave's comment indicates that 3' 6" would be better...

Air pressure is very risky...

Randy V

Perfect timing for me with this thread as I'm experiencing the same problem with this year's rains.

Will try Wally's method.

Dave928S

The trouble area is about 3' 1" to 3' 2" down from the front sunroof track drain, and back up about 3" to 4" from where it comes out at the bottom. The top 3 feet is a fairly straight shot down the pillar then it takes a turn out to the rear inner fender space. The hose can develop a bit of a kink around that area which encourages blockages. Mine was not pulled all the way out through the grommet at the bottom, and had a sharper change of direction than it should, which was the reason it only blocked on that hose.

Tom in Austin

Very timely, had water on my pass seat the other day after washing the car. Looks like the bottom of the tube is pretty high up under the fender, and sounds like going up from underneath is the safe bet, particularly if the blockage is nearer the bottom.

BTW does the rear drain out around the hatch weatherstrip? I can see a hole there, looks like that might be a straight shot vs. a tube running down through the body ...