IMPORTANT - Unclog Water Drain Ports on Porsche Cayenne or Else! (DIY How To Tutorial)

The Porsche Cayenne is prone to water intrusion when the drain ports get clogged. I'll show you how to clean the main front drain plugs on my 2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo, but this should work for any Cayenne. Need Porsche help or purchase advice? Book a consultation with me. calendly.com/c...
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[@CarFanatic]

Need Porsche help or purchase advice? Book a consultation with me. calendly.com/carfanatic

[@gobeyondtheedge]

Just purchased a 2006 Cayenne S for my daughter. 500 mile in to ownership the shifter locked and warnings showed up. There was evidence of prior tinkering with the carpeting to get rid of excess moisture, but the real problem is the wiring harness that lies on the floor panel. We noticed a slight musty smell when we turned on the AC, and this video is the missing piece of the puzzle and the reason for the moisture problem. Kudos to a good video...

[@slsmithnc2735]

Countless hours searching-I found the golden ticket, your video is amazing!

[@ChucklesVA]

I have a 958 diesel with the exact same problem. Did the same steps and got it cleared. Water everywhere! I didn’t have to take off the wheel and I have the regular suspension. Had to use a socket for some of the star drives but only had to partially detach same as on yours. Not too tough and was maybe 40 minutes from start to finish, including a lot of messing around.

[@webanon]

Also check to make sure the rocker panel drain is unobstructed. If your headlights take on ANY water (say after a car wash), then I recommend sealing them immediately. Otherwise, you risk frying the headlight control module (HCM). The HCM is not a cheap part to replace and will require dealer programming with PIWIS software...

[@drivinglessondublin]

Super video.I just checked mine too late.Water poured into interior passenger side and soaked my carpets.A quick check of the passenger bulk head plug revealed it was jammed with dirt and leaves ect.On release water flooded out onto my drive.I also pulled out the rubber tube where the carpet is but it was completely clean.Lesson learned lol..Now onto my next video.How to dry under car carpets lol...

[@robertandrews6555]

Mine were clogged when I bought my 2008, I pulled them and loads of water and muck came out, when they looked clean I washed the car with loads of water over the front, and even more came out, so don't forget to flush from above to get everything out

[@JerodOlson]

Do this people! Just had a nice $5600 bill to re-wire my 2004 Cayenne. Had to have the the interior removed, carpet and all, and there are hundreds of wires under the carpet that control everything. Needed new ECU and and all. She’s good to go now though!

[@gtmaster3031]

Just did this on my 2010 base model. No air suspension. This would be much easier without the wheel on, but I just turned the wheel all the way and took off the one screw on the bottom and the three screws securing the lower part of the fender liner. With that I was able to bend the liner out of the way. It helps if you have someone to hold the liner in place. It's a tight fight. I would imagine doing this on a hot day will make the liner easier to bend. I did it 45F out. I have no mechanical skill. Great video! I left the plugs out to prevent this from happening again. It wasn't even blocked with much debris, but somehow was still holding a few gallons on both sides

[@CarFanatic]

Awesome! You should also check out my updates video to clear the rest of the drains. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zoi2mKOknrSaj6M

[@georgemcmillin2430]

Thanks for taking the time to share this. How is it possible for a thumbs down!? I know Porsche dealers know this method but reasonably priced independent shops mainly don't. I've had two 08 Cayennes since 09. I just gave up on the V8 but still battling to keep the VR6 running. I remember when they were only three years old, the service people recommending drain service to address Porsche's design defect. Like the V8 may not have been designed for cold weather, all Cayennes were designed for places with no trees. I still haven't been to Germany but they must have trees and Winter snow? Last year I could hear water sloshing around in the roof. Pulled the bottom plug below front doors - several litres of water poured out. The front ones this video shows how to clear are VERY important. If that gets crazy clogged water can go under driver seat. PS. There is a ton of important computer/wiring/electrical stuff under the driver!

[@CarFanatic]

What happened to your V8?

[@DukeDog4570]

My 2004 had a big pile of fine silt mud clogging everything .... thanks for the help !

[@slammy1103]

My sunroof was leaking last winter (at least, water was dripping from the dome light/sunroof switch at the front). I wonder if there is so much crap in my drain lines that it backed up all the way to the sunroof? I hope it's not the sunroof seal, that sounds expensive to replace.. I'm actually having a lot of issues with my 08 GTS. Long story, but if my vehicle doesn't get written off by the insurance company (due to rats eating my engine harness), I'm going to have to tackle these issues myself. Looks like this channel will be my main go-to for DIY 👍🏻

[@slammy1103]

@Charles HodgsonAwsome, thanks for the insight! I had no idea. Looks like I'll be tackling this as well

[@MrJbolding23]

I wish you luck my friend. I have been dealing with that for 6 months . New seal and all.

[@davidporter2435]

@@MrJbolding23 cheers had same problem turns out it is the front and some times the rear drain holes in the corners of the sun roof. i just doped a thin tube into the drain hole. one at a time. and blasted a little compressed air in and presto out she spat DONT FORGET to place a rage around entry hole of drain in case of back splash unfortunately i know fist hand

[@calipinay1904]

I am currently experiencing water leaking all the way on the floor mat ( passenger side, next to driver side ) on my 2016 Cayenne i called Porsche Woodland hills, Southern California service dept & was told "it is a clog drain evaporator" No parts to replaced just labor fee it cost me $2k something just to drain the clog & remove the matt, dry up Ripped off Thanks, Fanatic car

[@Msleelee9487]

I’m wanting this 2012 model if I get it I will definitely clean that out I’m plan on doing my own maintenance so should be easy👍

[@CarFanatic]

For sure, that's a good idea.

[@jaroslaw959]

On driver side under fuse box is theft -protection siren. Water can damage that ($250) siren. I cold climate water will frost and before defrost again and again frost. Is good idea to drain trunk hatchback door. Make small hole. Driver side under driver carpet are so many cables and salty water can damage that cables.

[@charger440]

I sure could use that compost for my garden!

[@CarFanatic]

Lol

[@jonbryant2406]

Great maintenance tip, thank you!

[@veeco3110]

Holy shit! This is next on my list for my pig

[@geoffreygordon5892]

Thanks for posting this. I’m experiencing some wet/frozen floor issues on the drivers side lately here in winter Canada. Today is sunny and above freezing so in we go to explore.

[@CarFanatic]

Glad I could help. Please also take a look as this revised video which covers every water drain kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zoi2mKOknrSaj6M

[@geoffreygordon5892]

@@CarFanatic success!! Low and behold it was clogged solid. Interesting to also see it had been previously modified and trimmed slightly but still clogged with the tip flared wide and clogged. Feeling good tonight.

[@CarFanatic]

@@geoffreygordon5892 that's awesome! Which drain was it?

[@jamesshaw89]

This video is gold... I’m chain watching all your vids I’m trying to convince myself I want to get one of these early 2004-2006 models. I can do all the work myself which is the only reason I’m still thinking about these Cayennes at all.

[@CarFanatic]

If you can wrench on your own car, the Cayenne isn't bad in terms of maintenance. It is a great SUV that can do it all. Plus the engine, transmission, electronics and build quality are all great. So while he definitely has its fair share of issues, fortunately the big ticket items are pretty reliable.

[@j.dmalone6544]

@@CarFanatic I feel they same way. I keep watching your videos and learning that I want a 957 GTS more and more, even you finace tips are awesome. By the time I can afford one it will be a couple of years from now.

[@MrWIB]

Not a perfecet design from Porsche ... :P Thanks for the video, time to go out and clean :)

[@thsidky]

Thanks for the video it help me out a lot.

[@larrybaker404]

Enjoy your video’s Time to check my drains

[@mojalefatsotetsi5535]

I just did this yesterday on my 2008 CTT & can't thank you enough for all your videos. Keep up the good work & looking forward to learning more about this beast of a car, my first DIY after many years of car ownership :-).

[@tracycrawford6826]

One ‘tuber’ theorized the bird beak valves are for letting water out while keeping insects from going in. Kudos to Porsche for thinking ahead about insect infestations; raspberries to the engineers for forgetting the screens that would prevent debris from clogging them. Cleaning them under the wheel well after your passenger compartment has flooded is a real bummer.

[@berczigabor]

That youtuber is completely wrong. The grommets are there so that the wheel well liner can not lay completely flat against the surface of the drain hole, and that large amount of debris can't collect and pile around the hole, and block it completely. They actually help with clogging, even though they can't stop it completely from happening. But if they were not there, the drain hole would clog up even faster.

[@germancarfan360]

@@berczigabor Wrong.

[@berczigabor]

@@germancarfan360 Indeed, you are

[@germancarfan360]

@@berczigabor The profile for a Touareg 7p is completely off from where the hole is, its not even against it. I did this yesterday, hole is to the side of the arch liner, so yeh, you are wrong

[@berczigabor]

@@germancarfan360 Yeah, what you're saying doesn't make any sense whatsoever, even if we ignore the fact that it's a non-sequitur, and that nobody but you was talking about a Touareg 7P. A classic case of dunning- kruger.

[@flunul]

Thanks for the video! For what its worth - this is not unique for Porsche. BMW has exactly the same issue with their BMW 5-series model E60/E61 2004-2010. BMW has also put ECUs under the passenger side floor mat which takes in water if these drain ports get clogged. 1500$+ for replacement unit and repair from authorized dealer. ;)

[@CarFanatic]

That's good to know. Thanks for watching and hope you're subscribed. I have a follow up video coming out soon that covers all the drains!

[@miketurco5282]

WOW I really need to do this on my 08 GTS

[@behzadn22]

Thanks allot, I actually got some electrical errors before I realized this was the problem.

[@CarFanatic]

Water intrusion?

[@OverlandTT]

I made a video two years ago where this is fixed without dismantling or tools and only takes two minutes. See my Porsche Tech playlist.

[@behzadn22]

I didn't notice any water intrusion but it started like mostly in cold seasons with appearing steam blowing into the front window after the engine got warm and then occasionally glowplug error sign started to showup. and finally I got engine error code(yellow) which after reading it was the turbo not functioning properly. Then it was the moment I realized it must be something electrical since maine electrical cords passing near the water drain area and after I unplug the drains now the errors are gone and my Porsche works perfectly normal.

[@OverlandTT]

@@behzadn22 Certainly affects the AC as it drains into the bulkhead. I had random electrical issues and poor idling, even the audio system would reset or steering wheel controls would fail intermittently which was a pain. Draining the bulkhead fixed it and I would advise draining the sills too - which are simple pop off plugs down each side. I do the sills annually now and bulkhead roughly every six months.

[@bafigueroa21]

Will you please do a drain video on the 911 997.2?

[@NoWheelDrive]

@Car Fanatic Have you ever checked your engine for bore scoring? I recently watched dozens of various videos and it seems that no one V8 Cayenne (including Turbo ones) is free of this issue. It seems it's just a matter of time. Also I wonder what's the typical cost of fixing it by installing forged sleeves? Cayenne is a nice car but these Alusil engines are tricky...

[@jaroslaw959]

Good to little cut and plug in. Mouse or so can get in and make nest.

[@bill8298]

I wonder if we have a similar drain set up in our Audi Q5 .... my guess is its going to be similar. Any thoughts. Thanks...you always inspire me to do more stuff on my cars :)

[@bryanalston1369]

Great video! I have to do this for my 955.

[@lifehackertips]

This seems very easy, why don’t dealerships check and clean these during routine maintenance?

[@CarFanatic]

They should be according to the maintenance checklist

[@alandolezalek9088]

I had like 10 liters of water in the side panels. Just popped the plug with a screwdriver and after it was drained just pushed it back in

[@DRSCHUSTER1]

Great video thanks!!

[@nowornever81]

I’ve cleaned all these drains like 6 months ago; full of leafs and dirt; also cutout the AC drainage which was stuck close with some sticky junk and water was piling up in the passenger footwell.

[@CarFanatic]

Where is the AC drainage?

[@nowornever81]

Car Fanatic it can be accessed from outside from behind the wheelwell; or from inside; take out the cabin filter and you will notice a drain from the filter plastic housing going down and to the front toward the wheel well; you can use a long wire to clean it from there without opening the wheelwell from outside.

[@nowornever81]

Mine is 2014 but probably same design.

[@flunul]

Is there a DYI video on this? Thanks

[@joopkokkelkoren422]

What is the purple wire at my vw touareq There is nothing a little hole empty

[@AnimeTechs]

time to attempt this

[@CarFanatic]

Please check out my follow up video which shows you how to clear the rest of the drain ports.

[@choollysterlin1679]

First drain plug removed under fender liner still clog…. there’s an other drain plug that you cannot see, you will have to go under the hood under AC blower exhaust a small drain plug

[@rainaclarke]

You said from. Are there rear?

[@mazinalshaheen2931]

Hi I have Porsche cayenne turbo 2009 I have problem with AC drain water blocked(hose) can u talk me how can I fax it thank u

[@joshchapo]

I recently bought an 08 gts with 37K miles on it, I got it from Southern California, it's mint shape! Is there any thing I should be looking at or is there anything I should be expecting? I did replace driveshaft already, the carrier bearing was no good.

[@CarFanatic]

Congrats! I'd say replace the ignition coils if you don't have a record of those being done recently. Vacuum pump will likely fail at some point along with the thermostat. Here's a link with maintenance DIYs! Enjoy the new car! www.ecarguides.com/2003-2010-porsche-cayenne

[@wmruniversalmusicgroup5796]

Help meeeeee !! I’ve got a DTC P1336 ! what is it. ?

[@thekksinca824]

This is great stuff.

[@Fab24hdumans]

Wonder if it’s the same design on 2015 macan turbo... But I have a bigger issue with stinky aircon, I can’t find in front of the windshield the intake air, there is no hole or grill to spray some Lysol products inside, any help is welcome. Already changed the cabin filter, still stinky terribly

[@CarFanatic]

You could try inspection the vent that goes into the cabin air filter. Maybe there's some mildew in there?

[@martinjames9932]

Well done. Thx will check mine

[@CarFanatic]

Be sure to watch my other video which will show you a few more drain locations!

[@Fulloctanegarage]

Great video.

[@jimslear8490]

Thanks for the video. Left the valves in on my 09 Cayenne but manipulated them until water poured through and cleared them out. I decided salt was a concern so I would have put mine back if I had to remove them

[@OverlandTT]

You don't need any tool or take anything to pieces to do this, I have a video with 33,000 views that covers this and I hope it helps. It should be done twice a year - more if there are a lot of trees etc where you live.

[@anonymouse7074]

I have some sort of tube right at ,in, the drain opening. What is this?

[@CarFanatic]

I'm not sure. Do you have a pic you can share?

[@anonymouse7074]

@@CarFanatic no sorry, closed it all up. The tube is only on the passenger side, and is large, hard, and doesn't move around. The driver's side had crud in it, so I cleaned that out. Thanks for the vid

[@mtrotter325]

Maybe it was an interim that designed that part 😄😄

[@markchambers8641]

Anyway to leave that plug open and run a hose somewhere?

[@CarFanatic]

You mean to leave it out?

[@lifehackertips]

Yes I would like that too, put a drain hose, or shove a filter in there that will never clog, like a sock filter (google it, it’s exactly what it sounds like)

[@markchambers8641]

Car Fanatic Yes so that it can drain itself

[@markchambers8641]

Car Fanatic How’s the maintenance and parts if you can fix things on your own?

[@mrjotan]

That's same design have audi volkswagen Porsche and škoda for drain

[@joopkokkelkoren422]

Both holes the little one en the drain hole. Also like you in the video a lot of dirt

[@ashtonwoods]

Send your jackpot as gift to Porsche Design Engineers 😀

[@moneyparhar]

This guy love to work in dark. Maybe he have night vision

[@K1dPhresh1]

My Honda with 647,599 miles wouldn’t have all that stuff in it!!! ; ) That’s a lot of crap. I’m wetter/colder climates all that debris could keep water in your car. Not sure on the design, but I wonder if their could be potential for rust or repeated freeze/thaw damage.

[@CarFanatic]

I think it's a bad design. I've never had to worry about drainage issues with other cars.

[@CarFanatic]

Btw that's some impressive mileage!

[@K1dPhresh1]

Car Fanatic I am being sarcastic. I just wanted to get my comment in before everyone who hates the Cayenne does.

[@sfneurosurgeon]

Porsche engineering is garbage!!! My Mercedes S550 needs drain holes cleared as well, but everything stays in the drain channels and you don't have debris build up behind the wheel liner.

[@aneesabazeed9568]

Thanks for the video, this helped me a lot.