Leaking Sunroof Tip For Clearing Clogged Drain Holes

[bernardmwrangle]

The drain holes for my sunroof were clogged and during the first big storm here in the Bay Area I was getting water sloshing around under the sunroof and leaking into the interior down around the driver side, not cool. Our house is under a lot of trees and there is always duff and debris everywhere, it is a constant battle. I tried to unclog the drains with some wire at first, but that didn't work. I figured I would try to flush them out, started with a Water Pik, that didn't work, but trial and error, right? What ended up working was the 1/4 inch tubing that you use for drip irrigation. It fits perfectly in the drain holes, and is stiff enough to where you can run it down the drain holes, but not so stiff that you might worry about damaging something like you might with larger, stiffer wire. I rigged the tubing to a hose, ran the tubing down the holes, and flushed it out with water. THere was some water coming back into the interior with the flush, but it finally worked!

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[Vinsil]

Good tip.

Another is the clogs usually are at the ends of the drains. It is just a slit in the end to prevent insects from coming back up the lines, but the problem is dirt and junk gets down there. My Ram is 10 years old and had the same issue a few years back. I went through a similar process and finally F it and went and just cut the ends off my drain tubes so it's open tubing.

Three years later..hasn't clogged back up and I doubt it ever will. :biggrin2:

 

[Antman]

Good tip.

Another is the clogs usually are at the ends of the drains. It is just a slit in the end to prevent insects from coming back up the lines, but the problem is dirt and junk gets down there. My Ram is 10 years old and had the same issue a few years back. I went through a similar process and finally F it and went and just cut the ends off my drain tubes so it's open tubing.

Three years later..hasn't clogged back up and I doubt it ever will. :biggrin2:

Wouldn't compressed air work well here? That's probably what I would do...

 

[Vinsil]

Wouldn't compressed air work well here? That's probably what I would do...

I tried it. The problem I had was the slit is basically very small and is unable to allow the dirt and derbies won't pass through....so making the opening larger is the only solution. Without any junk down there the design allows water to drain out. Clogs easy as the OP lives under lots of trees.

 

[JSparky]

Wouldn't compressed air work well here? That's probably what I would do...

I don't know how the 4runner drain tubes are setup, but I know on some vehicles there's a concern with using compressed air cause the tube can come off its fitting between the roof and the interior headliner, creating an even bigger problem. I'll have to check out how ours are routed.

I've used weed wacker line and hot simple green solution before on other vehicles and it worked pretty good.

 

[1engineer]

I tried it. The problem I had was the slit is basically very small and is unable to allow the dirt and derbies won't pass through....so making the opening larger is the only solution. Without any junk down there the design allows water to drain out. Clogs easy as the OP lives under lots of trees.

Ha. Bet a six stage 15,000 psi compressor would clear the drain line...

 

[meltdowner]

I'm having this problem now.

Does ANYONE know where these drain lines exit the car at?

Also, how many are there on a 4th gen 4runner? 2 or 4? I could only see two when I looked at my sunroof. They are definitely clogged. I used some compressed air and a long wire to hopefully "unclog". I'll run some hot water down there tomorrow.

Wish I knew where the exits were because that's probably where it's really clogged up.

 

[meltdown]

I'm having this problem now.



Does ANYONE know where these drain lines exit the car at?



Also, how many are there on a 4th gen 4runner? 2 or 4? I could only see two when I looked at my sunroof. They are definitely clogged. I used some compressed air and a long wire to hopefully "unclog". I'll run some hot water down there tomorrow.



Wish I knew where the exits were because that's probably where it's really clogged up.

Try this thread.

Sunroof leak = Drains clogged. Help pleaee

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Wow, the drain tube runs right past the fuse box and main wire harnesses? What a horrible design!

 

[tls3601]

Yes even the Japs cant do everything right! Make a superior vehicle but I agree the routing near electrical is a BAD choice. Any luck clearing your lines?