Dubbed743

Noticed a little condensation on the inside of the windows the next day after a big storm. Opened the rear side hatches and there was a water droplet on the sunroof drain line. Pulled the drain from the bottom and sure enough it was partially clogged. Cut a "V" shape into the bottom of the drain to open it up a bit and hopefully prevent any further issues!

Glad I caught it when I did before it became a major headache!

WillinEvergreen

Glad that you caught that! If you read the Audi Q5 forums, the drainlines are very problematic. As I noted elsewhere, I had the dealership snip the duckbill ends of my rear drainlines off. The SA said it was a not uncommon request.

AlBinVA

Do the drain lines get clogged as s result of extended parking/sitting outside of a garage or will "road dust" and rain from normal driving cause the issue?

wwahl

What do you suppose is the reason of the drain design to be pinched at the bottom. Water doesn't flow uphill, but it sure needs to flow down with these drain lines.

signde

This is a very old problem. My 2004 R32 had the same issue and I don't think it is VAG specific as other manufacturers use the same design. It seems the duckbill is intended to keep debris from being kicked up into the tube and preventing blockage. The issue is that this then presents the opposite problem when debris comes from above, which it inevitably does. Cutting off the duckbill seems to be the better way to go for most.

Larson E. Rapp

If it fails and causes premature and catastrophic electrical failure, you have a real problem.

If it doesn't fail and the car lasts forever, the manufacturer has a real problem. Especially nowadays, as there are so many incentives to HODL to a good car.

Follow the money...

chassis

It's a check valve. To prevent road splash and grime from backing up into the tube and blocking it (at the bottom). Blockage from tree droppings happens at or near the top of the car.