2011 - 2019 Ford Explorer Water In The Floors and Here is Why - Sunroof Drain Cleaning

[@_NEW3RA_]

Listen, I have a 2015 explorer. Leaked in front & rear. Only two reasons usually for the leak and that’s the panoramic roof leaking or sunroof drain holes are clogged. If you have a front leak then it’s more than likely one or both the front drain holes are clogged. Clean them out with strong pressure air hose or a strong strip of weed eater string. There are 4 total. For the back two the only option will be air unless you remove panoramic roof and I’m sure nobody, including myself, wants to do that. One is located at the top right of tailgate once you open it. And the other is hard to get to but there is a small mud flap in front of the driver side rear tire. It’s held on at the bottom by 2 bolts. Remove the bolts and there will be a hole where you can see that sunroof drain location. You will need some kind of extension air hose to reach it because that hole is the only access to that drain. You will not be able to get to them up top unless you remove panoramic roof. I didn’t. I just blew air through both holes in reverse and that worked. Had someone put their hand where the panoramic roof is to see if they felt air and they did. Took some clear window sealant and sealed the panoramic roof. Hadn’t leaked Since. This vid is spot on. Thumbs up!!!!

[@Tom-pd9ms]

Thank you! You just saved me $136. I removed the drivers side bottom panel and flicked the exit tip and out came the water.

[@michaeldiamond76]

Someone custom ordered my 17 sport without the sunroof. I guess it was a blessing. I don't NEED one. I've had them.

[@TwilightZoneX]

Never realized as a consumer that there were even drain holes in a sunroof. Makes sense though! 👍

[@justagee]

I literally have the same issue. I was about to replace the windshield today until I saw this video. I’m about to try it now.

[@TXCherokee]

Hope your knee heals quickly Rich and the medical care you have gotten puts you back on track

[@frankcasey7423]

Very helpful! Thank you for taking the time to share with us and explaining. You saved me so much time and money and it was killing me thinking what the heck was wrong with the water getting inside my Explorer. 👍

[@joeycobb3012]

Dude I have been experiencing this issue for several months and now I have something to fall back on! Thanks man

[@user-qs5gz3yi7y]

Huge help!!! My 10 year old and I just finished my wife's 2018 expedition max. It started leaking and messing up about 1 month after we purchased it a few years back. They have cleaned it three times and it clogs right back up. This time it started filling the passenger side floorboard up. This has been a pain!! Thanks for your video....

[@YooTooobJeff]

Send the weedeater line up through the bottoms of the rear drain lines to make it simple and easier for the back ones

[@robd7365]

Great video, this will save a lot of people trouble looking for those drains

[@spadz93]

Been experiencing water leaking through my overhead console, passenger footwell, and now most recently my rear passenger air vent. Definitely have at least one clogged drain it sounds like. Appreciate the tips, going to give them a shot to hopefully alleviate these issues

[@dakidobf]

Thank you for this sir, will be trying this over the weekend because the floor is wet and making my car smell!

[@user-ie2pf2dl5x]

Thank you very much for this, i just found a large puddle of water in the passenger side floor. i thought i would try a KZbin info video, and watched you explain the problem and the solution. Great info and very helpful!!

[@trentgriffin6805]

This was extremely helpful! Now for a dry sunny day to take care of my wife's car🤙

[@bryanbutte]

I'm giving this a shot tonight -- I have water coming down my center overhead light and I have water coming down my passenger rear pillar. Thank you so much for the video!

[@obsrt05]

Wife's explorer is a 2014 and has been having this issue every now and then and leaving a smell behind obviously. I will be giving this a try and it looks promising. Thank you. And I'll give you my results.

[@troybordes6111]

You have earned yourself a subscription my good man. Thanks

[@imstevemcqueen]

Thanks buddy, the plastic fasteners were a little tricky but I got it. Thanks again

[@user-rc8xj4vs2e]

Thank you for this great Video explanation. This is saving me a lot of time and effort. I feel like I can now attack my water leak issue.

[@rn7960]

A helpful tip to get the white fasteners off. Push a 5/16 socket against the back of the clip. It will push in the tabs and help remove them. Saves your finger tips. I also strapped the wheel well down to keep it out of the way.

[@carlosh4903]

Thank you so much, best video ever

[@SHOKona-wp4vr]

Just walked out to 2" of standing water in my floorboard. Thanks Rich, saved me hours again. UPDATE: I used a long zip tie on top and bottom to ensure the clogs were gone. Flushed rails and surround with warm white vinegar when it was clear coming from the fender well drain I stopped. Folded front and back passenger carpet up after shop vacuuming all water from floor board and carpet. Run floor (front and rear) heater on high, max setting, for 15 min intervals each hour.

[@FordBossMe]

Beautiful

[@jdjonesmha]

This video saved my bacon! Others only post videos attacking the clog from the top but my clog as at the end of the drain line. Thanks for posting! Otherwise, I would have gotten frustrated beyond belief.

[@FordBossMe]

Glad it helped!

[@wfisher205]

Thank you....very helpful. My wife is tired of the wet floors. 🙂

[@somaliskinnypirate]

Thanks! I have a new KR350. Didn't want the sunroof but it came with the package. Either you or someone on Powerstroke tech talk mentioned the need to keep these clean and also mentioned the special grease for the rails..will need to pick some up!

[@FordBossMe]

That was me

[@MiLoTi85]

Thanks bud! Helping out saving people lots of $$$

[@1notgilty]

Thank you. I have the same problem. I hope your knee feels better.

[@user-vs1uh6wc5j]

Thanks...tried it with some .91 weedeater string, ended up putting a little air in it and it worked.

[@capiberra4118]

Very helpful video, THANKS!

[@cptcaveman1835]

This fully helped the water is messing up the electrical

[@barbarahall1705]

I have had my car in the fors garage many times for water in my car.I took my car to a different garage and found caps on the drains under the car.He took them off and after 6 yrs of putting up w water in my car it doesn't leak any more!

[@dm7097]

I make it a habit of checking the wife’s explorer 1-2 times a year just to keep ahead of any problems. Most of the time I just run very low shop air pressure down hers.

[@josephvantreeck2989]

Great info. Thank you!

[@comporangegt]

On the PPV units I have had them come in with the floor flooded. Many of our units are parked under trees so they get a lot of build up in the cowl. I take the cowl off and there are two rubber boots, driver and passenger side of the cowl. They are blocked off and allow water to come into the fresh air intake.

[@AntonioBanderasTheKing]

Thank you

[@mikekokomomike]

Cowl vent drains are a problem too if they get plugged with decayed leaf litter, my sister's MKT flooded under the carpet as the cowl overflowed the firewall

[@robd7365]

sunroofs are a nightmare lol, Makes the 75 Hurst olds and late 70's firebird T-tops seem like a flex seal commercial 😀

[@mikeoman7601]

I’ve had pretty good luck using one of those cheap universal speedo cables to clear out drain tube channels. Only about an 1/8 inch in diameter, flexible but firm when inserting. Like snaking out a clogged drain pipe.

[@shanafrye4393]

We are using tie wire but it seems to be hitting something or won’t bend as it gets further down.

[@dabanabbas7950]

Thanks to your video, i fixed my car, the drain was not even in the place at the bottom, i was like tested everything else, been leaking to passenger side for months, now it is all dry, thanks again.

[@JessicaSmith-uy7cl]

I’m wondering where your drain was if it wasn’t in place….

[@dabanabbas7950]

@JessicaSmith-uy7cl it did not have the stoper, so it was not in the hole, i had to make a tool to pull its end out from that small hole. basically, all the water was going to the passenger side. Thanks again for the video

[@kingranch8516]

Great vid bro thanks

[@filipemendonca6066]

Just wanna say thank you!!

[@FordBossMe]

Yvw

[@alananderson2961]

Thanks a bunch 😊

[@impulsive_dad]

I’d never done this before 😮never knew it was a thing but thanks u saved me from being dripped on all the time. Every time it rains or the snow and ice melted I’d get peed on by the control housing for the sunroof and it’s look like I peed myself 😂 No More Drippy pant legs 🦵

[@chrisstromberg6527]

Weed eater string to clear the drain, that is a great idea!

[@c431inf]

thanks bro🤙 climb to glory

[@sandmanxo]

Im just happy i don't have to disassemble the inside again when i replaced a burned out motor. Looks simple enough other than dealing withbthose clips that like to break.

[@110665]

I just used compressed air, seemed to work great..

[@99jaystang]

great video now i got to figure out how to reset my sunroof (not working) to open it. Had water dripping around the switch on upper console.

[@cbtolin22]

You might have to replace the left hand motor. Mine corroded due to water build up.

[@2muchy2]

We have a 2013 VW Tiguan where the hose disconnect down near the bottom of the A piler.

[@JayLaw1125]

Thanks for the info...is it normal (design flaw) for copious amounts of water to leak past the Moon roof glass seals? Hence getting caught by the gutters to hopefully drain down without being clogged.

[@YingYang_YouTube]

Very useful

[@bigmann120]

Just had this happen to my 2012 Explorer LTD. I just blew out the drain holes with a air nozzle. Damn water from rain was coming in the car running into my APIM and radio screen. Could have been expensive but I saved it.

[@FrankJonesJr1]

Great video. One thing I would have liked to see would have been how to remove the plastic near the wheel (where you accessed the bottom of the drain) I don’t want to tear anything up lol

[@babytexan3038]

This is the only video I could find about cleaning the bottom of a sunroof drain, so thanks so much! I did get stuck on the part where you removed the pins/screws and pulled back the the cloth cover. I was unable to do that (granted on an expedition) so I couldn't find the bottom drain outlet. Would love a step by step on removing the liner. Thanks!

[@FordBossMe]

Dude the only way you can make those videos is if you're currently working on the vehicle I may not see another one of those vehicles in the same situation for another year before I pull something apart and I'm not even going to think about making a video about removing the fender liner and I'm just being honest with you

[@babytexan3038]

@@FordBossMe Totally fair and makes sense! Thanks for this video!

[@FordBossMe]

@@babytexan3038 yvw

[@deezullram726]

Precisiely why I now never own vehicles with sunroofs. I've had issues with them at some time or another with every vehicle I have owned. Normally the repairs are not cheap!

[@jordir.8750]

My 2018 explorer is having this issue now. I will checkbit tomorrow when is not raining.

[@maxwellcrazycat9204]

I did plenty of sunroof drain problems when I worked at a Chevy Dealership. Especially if customers parked under trees. Lots of debris. Occasionally a drain line pulled off. Not sure how that would happen. Lucky if I got a half hour of pay. Maybe 3 tenths.

[@zackarywalter8777]

I just did this to my 05 ford explorer sport trac but my brake lights turn signals 4 ways radio and gas gage all don't workin gonna try to change the combination switch see if that fixes my light problems after that I'm lost I've done alot already any info you could give me would be amazing

[@jimhaines8370]

After all the problems over the years fixing customers sun roofs I would only take a vehicle with a sunroof myself if the first thing I did was weld the roof back solid period.

[@markolave8963]

Thanks for the great video. Can you pls show me how to clean the back drain. Water leak at 3rd row seat belt

[@FordBossMe]

I don't have one to show you

[@jadsmith7673]

I don't have sunroof and have the same issue with water. There are cowl drain diffusers on driver and passenger sides. They are a flat cup with a slot at the bottom for water to drip out. Nobody tells you that it should be cleaned out and maintained in any literature. FORD Part #: 5F9Z7401523AA

[@kpxpaulxkp]

How would one do this, if the sunroof won’t open due to the water damage.

[@eddieissohot9225]

So this could be the cause of the puddle of water on the passenger side floor of my 16?

[@adrianmelendez374]

Nice Mountain tattoo, a small peek into the rear wheel well would have been nice, but I know time is money.

[@FordBossMe]

Exactly

[@BeardedFordTech]

I had to replace the hoses on a king ranch. Wasn't fun

[@BeardedFordTech]

Let me rephrase that. The customer didn't want me to clean them. He wanted new ones so I had to put new ones in. Whatever it takes to make the customer happy. Was the same problem. Trough overflowed got the floor wet

[@thelocofam]

How do you get those stupid bolts off to peel back the lining!

[@andrewdudinsky6460]

Thanks once again for all the great videos. Currently my wife is looking at a 2022 Explorer ST. (3.0L). What is your valued opinion of the 3.0L over the base engine in the Explorer Line? The only problem I have with the Explorer is that they CANNOT get the wifi module so the gave a $25 cnd credit for the delete, and the auto liftgate is not avail. ($70 credit) No option at all for the delux tech package (with massage seats) Heck if I am going that far in.. might as well go fully loaded. . not impressed about the deletes.. The other option she liked is a 2022 Ede Titanium. Any opinions/suggestions Of course the dealer says no issues at all with either car.. (??)

[@FordBossMe]

Honestly I'm working on the new explorers all the time for a little electrical issues and rattles and I would have to pass on a new Explorer and that's just me being honest with you about it I just don't care for them because of all the issues the little tiny tidbit things that build up and then there have been some cases where people are reporting the engine rattling on Startup so I'm just over it

[@andrewdudinsky6460]

@@FordBossMe Thanks for the honest advice... that is why I watch your channel. As for me.. yes.. little things all the time would drive me nuts...Thanks a million

[@andrewdudinsky6460]

@@FordBossMe What about the Edge Titanium? That is her other choice

[@gjohns316]

Weedeater string even the tiny stuff would not work for me, went in 4’ and stopped. Could not get it to go anyfurther

[@2491kridge]

Got the same issue on my backup truck and I’m pretty sure it’s junk at this point. Got a 2000 explorer that I rarely ever ever drive but just keep it around for Home Depot runs or whatever. Well it had been a few months since I’ve touched it and went to use it last week and the interior is just absolutely covered in mold, looks like the source is coming from clogged subroof drains. Not sure I can recover it at this point though due to the sheer amount of mold

[@mikelemoine4267]

That happened to one of my vehicles too.. I unbolted the seats and removed the carpets (not too bad to do), then left an ozone generator running inside it overnight (cheap on Amazon/Ebay). I cleaned the seats with interior cleaner, then microban, then cleaner again until I could not smell any mustiness. I soaked the carpet with vinegar, then a mixture of oxyclean/water, then pressure washed it. I then used a carpet shampooer to shampoo it as normal to vacuum out any left over residue and add a shampoo scent. I then let it dry in the hot sun for a few days, flipping it over so both sides got good and warm, and a dose of UV sunlight. I wiped all the interior surfaces down with Chlorox wipes and went over the leather and trim with Adams leather interior cleaner and then added a protectant. It was a bit of work, but it doesn't stink anymore and I don't have sneezing fits when I drive it like I was before I discovered the passenger carpet was soaked and mold was covering my black interior. It's good now!

[@clintlacewell9021]

Great video. My front drains are clear in my 17, but am getting leaking around the passenger seat belt mount. Have you encountered any leaking from the roof rack mount? I'll try to do the check on the rear ones if all you have to do is remove those 4 T30s.

[@FordBossMe]

It could be that the drains are plugged up or it could be that you have a rear window sprayer that is apart and leaking and the line above the headliner is loose if that's where it runs I don't remember

[@clintlacewell9021]

@@FordBossMe Turns out both of my rear drains were clogged, got the 8x 8mm bolts off and shimmied the rear glass forward a bit, ran some trimmer line and a hot water / vinegar mix through them to clear out the crud, guess we'll see nest time it rains!

[@jeremy4698]

How did everything turn out once they were clear? @@clintlacewell9021

[@clbcl5]

Would this also cover electrical issues after a hard rain? My 2011 has them after a hard rain, all the dash error lights will go off, i loose power steering, traction control, I can not change the 4x4 controls. I do several restarts or disconnect the battery and all goes back to normal. I never see any water but all my electric contacts on the doors and steerin wheel are corroded.

[@FordBossMe]

Could possibly be part of the issue

[@chasecavaness9028]

Rich, question: I had a coworker experience something similar with his 17 super duty and this was covered under warranty, Does the owners manual explain that these ports in the sunroof / any other water drain ports need to be regularly checked by the consumer.

[@FordBossMe]

No

[@seagullsbtn]

If you get a 21 f150 sunroof equipped vehicle, I'm looking for drain locations on that.

[@FordBossMe]

It's going to be in the wheel well areas pretty standard or at the bottom of the cab underneath by the pinch weld somewhere in the back

[@JayLaw1125]

@@FordBossMe Thanks for the info...is it normal (design flaw) for copious amounts of water to leak past the Moon roof glass seals? Hence getting caught by the gutters to hopefully drain down without being clogged.

[@thomasrossi31]

I had a clogged drain (17 Explorer) which fried the motor. I replaced the motor (aftermarket) and a new moonroof switch (oem) but I still can complete the learning of the limits procedure. Any ideas?

[@FordBossMe]

I used a oe scan tool

[@thomasrossi31]

@@FordBossMe thanks FBM!

[@weedeater62]

On my old sedan (non-Ford), there were drains at each corner. They all has to be checked. Also, you had to be careful when pushing something down from the top that you didnt knock the hose loose. B!tch to put back. Wrote before seeing the whole video. Good job! And find a good orthopedic guy. Be careful with pain killers. Ibuprophen is bad long term.

[@patrickreynolds801]

Always hate here in the NW sun roof repair. Never understand why people get these when it rains 9 months a year. Lol same with convertible tops .also alot of people park under trees with needles

[@yeahrightmate]

Hi, any ideas as to where the 2001 sports Trac drain comes out.

[@FordBossMe]

Nope not a clue to be honest with you

[@yeahrightmate]

@@FordBossMe Ok thanks, they don't seam to have an outlet anywhere like your model does and it looks like they must just drain into the sills.

[@supratt004]

My dude! What’s up. Hey I have a 2013 f150 platinum when I turn the heater on vents open I get a oil burning smell in the cab? I close the cab vent with the button and it goes away. I’m guessing it’s the vacuum pump? Any ideas?

[@FordBossMe]

It could be your blower motor

[@BS-xp7pz]

how is water getting in the cup holders and sungass holder?

[@FordBossMe]

Because it's leaking somewhere around the top of the sunroof where it's backing up in the drains and it's spilling over and it's running down the headliner or there's some kind of leak around the windshield

[@shanelewis2458]

Quick story, I've watched countless videos of Rich explaining why you should keep the drains unclogged in a sunroof and in the doors every time I watch one of those videos I just laugh and say that's a Ford or that's a Chevy but I've never taken the advice to go locate and clean the drains in my sunroof. Well I was forced to locate those drains at the most inconvenient time for me because I have a wet headliner. And I blame Rich because he never said Nissan owners need to watch out for this too JK I should have taken your advice

[@FordBossMe]

Beautiful find brother

[@roadiemort3589]

I have water intrusion in my third brake light 2010 F150 needs gasket I suppose?

[@FordBossMe]

Replace the whole light and gasket

[@GreenElliott]

I am having the same thing going on put it is going in my map lights

[@FordBossMe]

Check these drains

[@user-ym5xe3hz1o]

Any info for explorers without the sunroof? I got a 2019 no sunroof but it’s leaking water inside where the interior light is. I do know the plastic chrome bar strips (roof rack) on roof broke so can water go down in there n leak in?

[@FordBossMe]

It's leaking around the roof racks

[@keener691]

Water is getting in thru the broken roof rail bracket but that really shouldn't matter if the factory seal in the bottom of the ditch rail isn't compromised. The ditch that runs from front to back along the side is leaking. The moon roof brackets that attach along that ditch has either compromised the factory sealant or it was never sealed correctly at the assembly plant. Nearly 90% of the time it was the bottom seal that is compromised. The roof and sides of nearly all makes and models are welded in the bodyshop and then before paint is applied that ditch is sealed. Any out of spec weld tolerances cause the sealer that is applied to be ineffective. There are actually 2 layers of sealant applied to that ditch. One before it is painted and 1 after it is painted. I retired from a toyota plant and the warranty claims were astronomical for this defect. There are alot of billable hrs from repair shops to do this under warranty because it entails of alot of work. But as this video shows, that is completely unnecessary. Most repair shops use the 30 minute "weedeater string" method and then bill the manufacturer for 8 hrs of labor plus parts($400) under the warranty and I don't blame them at all. Water is eventually going to get in that ditch, and if that bottom seal is compromised from the factory the water will run down the "A" pillar, the "B" directly behind driver, the "C" pillar, or the "D" pillar. When the water gets into any of those pillars it will eventually make it to the floor pan and compromise the electronics and accelerate rusting. It really doesn't matter how it gets into that channel because it will eventually, and if that bottom seal is compromised you will get water into the cabin area.

[@BS-xp7pz]

if the sunroof is closed , how is water getting to the holes under the sunroof?

[@FordBossMe]

Because it doesn't totally seal correctly

[@michaelhernandez-uu1bz]

Wish I had seen your video before the drain clogged.

[@robd7365]

What adhesive do you use to reattach the sticky side on the white clips?

[@FordBossMe]

There is no adhesive that's why in the video I said I took the white clips and I snapped them back into the housing where they go

[@robd7365]

@@FordBossMe I thought the flat side glued to the panel

[@bradsnell9704]

Maybe I'm wrong in doing so but I usually use compressed air to clear those drains

[@rh5597]

You're a great ford tech! My 2014 Taurus 3.5 77M miles just had to have water pump replaced, $3200.00! Does that seem right?

[@AT-wl9yq]

It could have been worse. Its quite a bit of labor to do that one.

[@FordBossMe]

Yep it does

[@rh5597]

@@FordBossMe Thank you sir! Coming from you I know the cost is true! Thank you again!

[@rh5597]

@@AT-wl9yq Yes it could have. Makes me wonder what an engineer was thinking putting the water pump inside the engine?! I surely hope Ford is seeing loyal customers suffering huge financial hardships with this engine. Already the fuel pump went out and the fuel pump controller another $1200.00.

[@RafaelHernandez-vt8fu]

Just replaced our water pump on our Ford Explorer $2,700

[@fullmil3]

I am experiencing this issue and my sunroof is broken due to a faulty motor, any suggestions?

[@FordBossMe]

I don't know what you want suggestion wise I have video showing you how to replace the motors for the sunroof and if the sunroof itself is broken it has to be replaced if you're not mechanically friendly or know how to do mechanical things you need to take it to somebody to do it it's going to be an expensive job

[@stevekehr6768]

Just wondering what you charge for that. Around here no one would pay more than an hour.

[@FordBossMe]

An hour that's standard charge for something like that

[@JaredJanhsen]

After too many firsthand horror stories of friends with sunroofs and Ray on the struggle-bus with that Jaaaaaaaag sunroof; I never want to ever own a vehicle with a sunroof ever. Not even once. I've had rental cars with them and the novelty wears off halfway between the rental car center and my hotel.

[@mathi133]

Would this be the same on the Flex as well?

[@FordBossMe]

Yes

[@LEN0888]

What dealership you work at brother?

[@FordBossMe]

DUNDEE FORD in Dundee Illinois

[@geoquiroz5333]

I unclogged mines and then I got clogged again 😢

[@jfranc2128]

Next video: how to get those white clamps off without breaking them. Is there a tool? I cant contort my hands and fingers well enough.

[@FordBossMe]

White clamps?

[@jfranc2128]

@@FordBossMe yes, sorry I was able to pry them out. Thanks for the vid. Helped me figure out where the end of drain was!

[@nrml1]

This happened to my '16 Sport and now the sun roof doesn't open

[@FordBossMe]

I have a video in the library on changing the motor

[@nrml1]

@@FordBossMe Awesome thanks man

[@NoName-yr1jv]

Moldy headliner and carpet

[@FordBossMe]

It's all right I'm going to take care of that they make neutralizers for all that stuff

[@DarkExplorer961]

As much as you're going to charge that guy for cleaning out the front drains you should have finished the job and cleaned the rear drains it will cause a problem later down the road

[@FordBossMe]

Pal the back drains were draining Do better

[@FordBossMe]

Be very careful how you approach how I do business or I'll block you, I'm one of the farest techs on social media it's what I'm known for

[@appelmac1]

My sunshade won’t work on my 2019 lariat.

[@FordBossMe]

If you look at my video on the Explorers replacing the sunroof motor it's the same concept for the F-150

[@mickeywrench7718]

What does that pay warranty? .3…. Blow 90 psi air into it & call it a day!

[@mickeywrench7718]

Sometimes it can be cumbersome to blow it….

[@FordBossMe]

Yeah you got to be careful with blowing that much pressure into the line because you'll blow the line off of it