Automobile With Sunroof and Possible Water Ingress

Sunroof drain hose that sits behind the headliner
Typical sunroof drain

Do you have an automobile with a sunroof and have one of these issues:

  • Water leaking from the ceiling of your vehicle
  • You find water in the foot-well of your car? •
  • You have a damp smell in your car?
  • You have water stains in the headliner of your car?

In most cases the sunroof drains (one on each corner of the sunroof) in the "sunroof well" are blocked by tiny leaves, tree blossoms etc. 

The "sunroof well" is the area that the sunroof sits in when it is closed.

Solution: Fully open the sunroof and locate the drains, then use a vacuum cleaner to remove as much debris from the area including placing the end of the vacuum cleaner nozzle at the entrance of the drain in an effort to retrieve as much dirt as possible before you attempt the next step.

I DO NOT advise using an air compressor to blow out the dirt because the drain hoses on the inside of the car might pop off of the drain and create more problems that you will ever want. For this very reason you should not poke any objects down the drain holes.

You could then pour some water in "sunroof well" near to each drain, one at a time and look below the vehicle for signs of fluid dripping. If the water drains away from each drain hole and emerges at the bottom of the vehicle then it is fair to assume that specific drain is clear.

If the drains are still blocked, purchase a can of compressed air then use some material to create a seal around the spray nozzle and blow gently down the blocked drain and this should clear it. Compressed air in a can is a lot less powerful than an air compressor but caution must always be used in all circumstances..

This simple task can save you hundreds of dollars and is very easy to accomplish. It should be done at least one a year as part of you preventative maintenance to keep the interior of your car dry and without the unpleasant issues that comes with wet carpet.

Happy motoring!

 

NOTE: This Helpful Hint document is intended for educational purposes only. Please refer to the respective owner’s manual and manufacturer’s representative for information pertaining to your specific issue.

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