Sunroof Drain Tool FTW!

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bgladd

bgladd

Joined
Jul 31, 2021
Threads
52
Messages
234
Location
Madison, MS
Finally got around to cleaning the sunroof drains on my 09 LC. This tool is phenomenal!


For kicks, I tried weed eater line, but this tool was far superior and much easier to work with.

IMG-4009.webp
 
bgladd said:
Finally got around to cleaning the sunroof drains on my 09 LC. This tool is phenomenal!


For kicks, I tried weed eater line, but this tool was far superior and much easier to work with.

View attachment 3207914
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Thanks I just ordered one that is similar after following your link(sold out, currently unavailable).

I appreciate the pic and the tool rev as this has been on my todo list for a while and haven’t quite known where or how to start. Is it as simple and shoving that flexible brush up and down that hole with some hot water?
 
joyRidaz said:
Thanks I just ordered one that is similar after following your link(sold out, currently unavailable).

I appreciate the pic and the tool rev as this has been on my todo list for a while and haven’t quite known where or how to start. Is it as simple and shoving that flexible brush up and down that hole with some hot water?
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Yes, that's all I did. I slowly worked the took down the drains, twisting it. My right drain had a bunch of sludge, whereas my left drain was fine. I then poured some water down both of them and ensured that they were draining properly.
 
bgladd said:
Yes, that's all I did. I slowly worked the took down the drains, twisting it. My right drain had a bunch of sludge, whereas my left drain was fine. I then poured some water down both of them and ensured that they were draining properly.
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That’s great thanks! There was a clubmemeber here who’s LX (2008ish?). literally was deemed “totaled” by insurance and the sad story is it was because the clogged drains ruined enough electronics that it was too costly to fix. I’ve had drain induced anxiety ever since but still counter-plagued with an equally bad case of procrastination…. No more, 2023 is a year of taking action!
 
joyRidaz said:
That’s great thanks! There was a clubmemeber here who’s LX (2008ish?). literally was deemed “totaled” by insurance and the sad story is it was because the clogged drains ruined enough electronics that it was too costly to fix. I’ve had drain induced anxiety ever since but still counter-plagued with an equally bad case of procrastination…. No more, 2023 is a year of taking action!
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No way! I didn’t hear about that. I need to find that thread.

The problem with cleaning the drains is that the process is, while not difficult, simply awkward. I think next time I’ll try a step ladder and clean the drains from the side, instead of standing on my front seats.
 
just be careful when using it that you don't knock the drain line loose. it slips onto the plastic tray around the sunroof, so if something is stuck and you push too hard I suspect it's possible to knock the drain line off...
 
Where do the drains exit?
 
I ordered one. I'll give it a go and see what comes out. Did y'all brush first then pour water down the drain or add water prior to brushing?
 
Tex68w said:
I ordered one. I'll give it a go and see what comes out. Did y'all brush first then pour water down the drain or add water prior to brush
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I didn't pour anything down the drain ahead of time in case the drain was plugged.
 
linuxgod said:
just be careful when using it that you don't knock the drain line loose. it slips onto the plastic tray around the sunroof, so if something is stuck and you push too hard I suspect it's possible to knock the drain line off...
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Lower pressure compressed air a viable option? Say 50psi for starters?
 
bgladd said:
I think most advise against any air pressure.
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Good to know. The only time I open mine is when attaching something to my roof rack. I’m sure junk can still get in there but I’m hoping my lack of use will be my saving grace.
 
Artie said:
Good to know. The only time I open mine is when attaching something to my roof rack. I’m sure junk can still get in there but I’m hoping my lack of use will be my saving grace.
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Same but dust and tree pollen get in everywhere, hence why I am worried about mine, I just want to make sure. I might inject a little bit of water in mine first just to see if it comes out normally.
 
What about the rear drain holes? Are there two front and two rear? Does this tool work for those as well? I need to clean mine.
 
sdnative said:
What about the rear drain holes? Are there two front and two rear? Does this tool work for those as well? I need to clean mine.
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There are rears but they are basically impossible to get to. At the rear corners of the pan, which when you think about it is far enough back to let the whole glass panel slide down then backwards and open the entire sunroof hole.

The duckbill seal at the lower end of the drain is likely where any problems would start, but that is also hard to get to. It's behind the rear tire under the bumper skin.. I've had a good look and can't find a way to get at it without removing the bumper skin.

In this case the fact that most cruisers lean forward slightly, and the gasket itself being much more close to the front drains, means it's usually the front drains that have issues. OTOH some that are garaged basically will never have problems, or someone that parks outside under trees pointed uphill could get more junk in the rear drains.
 
bgladd said:
I think most advise against any air pressure.
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What is the detriment of using an air compressor? I made this possible mistake today. In fear of knocking the drain line loose?

I have water showing up on the passenger floor board and started with the sunroof drains before moving on to see if the foam was compressed around the cowl.
 
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