Member Since: 06 Apr 2016
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 545
Sunroof drain finding/access on D3 2009 HSE
Hi,
I have a wet passenger side carpet on my HSE 2009 so went to have a look at the sunroof drain. I can see something that looks like the tube, but its vey much covered and surrounded by looms and plugs and not like other pickys I have seen re the issue.
This is the tube (I think) you can just see a black wiht a bit of white to the right of the multi plug with purple wires ?
I also noticed what looks like the external drain in the NS wheel arch. This was totally covered in mud as I live down a dirt track. Is this actually the drain or is it just a trim clip for the wheel arch cover?
Is it being hopeful to assume that removing the crud externally and sucking on it with a vac, will fix this or do I need to work out how to get to the inside grommet?
Am I even anywhere close!
ThanksDisco 3: Lotus Elise S1: Ferguson T20: Audi A2
7th Jan 2018 2:03 pm
Skynet
Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: Melksham, Wiltshire
Posts: 868
The tube blocks/cracks/falls out of the exit hole. Hence your wet carpet. It's a beggar to get at from behind the fuse block and helpful to have the wheel arch panel removed for access to the drain hole.Dave
D3 2006 HSE, Cairns Blue - gone
D4 2016 SE, White
Member Since: 06 Apr 2016
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 545
HI,
Thanks for the info, the thing im confused about is the position of the drain. If the pipe marked on my diagram IS the pipe this looks lower than the ones in the pictures I have seen. Was this revised on the 2009 Models ?
Also I dont see any references to my wheel arch "drain" and im still not sure if this is just a trim clip?Disco 3: Lotus Elise S1: Ferguson T20: Audi A2
7th Jan 2018 2:58 pm
carbore
Member Since: 06 Apr 2016
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 545
Ok, to answer my own question, it looks like thats actually the rear washer pipe.
The drain is much higher up and ticker, so hopefully im back on track, but no closer to getting to the end of it (literally and metaphorically)Disco 3: Lotus Elise S1: Ferguson T20: Audi A2
7th Jan 2018 3:27 pm
LittleG
Member Since: 21 Sep 2013
Location: Wombourne
Posts: 392
Member Since: 06 Apr 2016
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 545
Hi, thanks for that, thats the best description (including the link in the middle) of the process I have seen re the access issues and how to do it.
I have a bit of warranty left so I think Ill see if they will do it as I dont fancy the knuckle skinning if I can avoid it.Disco 3: Lotus Elise S1: Ferguson T20: Audi A2
7th Jan 2018 9:01 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8219
Easiest way is to push a flexible curtain wire down from the top, the pipe has a nipple on the end of it, this nipple sticks together and stops water draining, cut the nipple off, it can be accessed from underneath behind the rear of the inner wing, no need to take anything off just put it in off-road height, use an axle stand or equivalent as a precaution.
The drivers side can be accessed through the wing air intake, again cut the nipple off it will only give you problems in the future.It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
7th Jan 2018 9:17 pm
Hot Tub
Member Since: 15 Aug 2017
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 1071
I was wondering if a bicycle brake inner cable would be suitable for rod the drain pipes has a suitable end on it? Possibly less likely to damage the tube think that it is worth trying Also means SWMBO won't complain about curtains falling down unless you pinch the cable from her bike
8th Jan 2018 2:49 am
Hugh22
Member Since: 19 Dec 2017
Location: Dorset
Posts: 10
Hi Carbore - I had exactly the same issue with the water ingress into the passenger footwell from the sunroof drain. What I did as a quick-ish fix ( to avoid guddling around trying to find the crack in the pipe behind the electrics) was to run a new length of hose from the blue drain pipe connecter joint that is easily accessible in the A pillar (just remove the trim by undoing the single bolt) to exit via a spare hole in the passenger footwell that you will see when you lift up the footwell carpet (it will have a rubber grommet that you will have to pop out). I had a (newish) spare water supply hose for a washing machine that was the perfect length and diameter, and robust enough that it wouldn't get pinched and block. I warmed up the end in hot water to help it thread through the exit hole (using a smaller diameter bit of tubing that went inside the hose as a guide). I then sealed the exit with silicone sealant.
The 'new' drain now exits just behind the mudflap under the sill. Not perfect, but its a good fix until I have the time (and the weather warms up!) to spend fiddling around to find the break in the original pipe which I have left in situ.
8th Jan 2018 4:48 pm
carbore
Member Since: 06 Apr 2016
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 545
Hi, thanks for all the info.
I had some time today to test by tipping water into the roof and much to my surprise water ONLY exited via the correct route under the car. I even stuffed some loo paper around the bottom inside where it should get wet to test for any tiny drips and it was bone dry.
Also the car was park outside for a week at the station and no additional water got in
The other issue is that the water in the car I noticed was all related to a jet washing I gave the car just before Christmas (clean and soapy) so I wonder if I need to look for other possible ingress points?
Also the car was park outside for nearly a week at the station and no additional water seems to have got in as its as least as dry as my initial tidy up when I found the issue on Sunday.
Any ideas ?Disco 3: Lotus Elise S1: Ferguson T20: Audi A2
12th Jan 2018 10:15 am
BAZ8046
Member Since: 26 Feb 2010
Location: Chatham
Posts: 280
Hope your is ok but I have just had to take my cjb out to get to the drain as I was continually getting water in the passenger footwell.
I was glad I did as the drain had rotted and fallen back inside the car.
It is a pain to take the cjb out but glad I did as it solved my issue and there is no way of getting to the drain without removing it.
D4 2016 Landmark, Waitomo Grey.
D3 2005 HSE, Bonatti Grey, now sold but still comes back for servicing.
Defender 2002 Td5 Commercial, had a hard life but slowly being restored.
I only work so I can afford to repair my Land Rovers!
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unless you pinch the cable from her bike 
