Mazda Miata MX-5 (NC) 2006 - clearing drain holes with trombone brush and rubber hose

[@bsilva0728]

I just love it when folks use their heads and share there ideas with others 😊. Needing to try this tomorrow as my NC Boat took on some water this week! Thanks for sharing!!

[@doris1773]

I also could not get the trombone cleaner down the passenger side drain hole. After I used a really fat straw to push the trombone wire through I was able to get it out the bottom. I had the car 14 years and only ever got the driver side to open. Thanks a million!!!! Now I have both drains working great 👍😃!!

[@pc-qi9tt]

For years I have been unable to clean the drain holes with the trombone brush so I was taking it to dealer and paying about $200 each time. Using the tube as you suggested worked great, so easy. Big, big saving going forward. Thanks a ton!

[@rodfrancis9160]

Parking under a tree is not recommended but sometimes I have too. So I invested in a throw over covering the hood. Also it rains a lot in my city and frost at the moment. Helpful video and I have clear drains holes at the moment. Thanks.

[@royevans9735]

I'm a 75 year old and l have paid out for this to be done before at great expense ,so l thought I would have a go myself ,this was a brillian video it works thank you

[@ExBuickRacer]

Aloha from Hawaii…thank you for the hints and tips! Our first Miata was a 2015 Club PRHT w/ auto but a week ago we picked up a stick shift 2006 Ltd Edition and I’ll use your method to check/clear drains. I had to laugh during your video as I’m also a trombone player and your solution with the slide cleaner had me going, “Now why didn’t I think of that??”

[@andrewhesford7700]

My mx5 convertible leaks warter in the footwells so I will be trying this in the near future 👍

[@jon-paulmcgowan6589]

Thank you so much! I could not for the life of me get any kind of brush down there, it was so clogged. Using your tip I had a small length of plastic tubing that was just large enough for the brush I bought. And with another source giving me a more precise location 10 o'clock if you're facing the passenger side from the driver's or 2 o'clock if you're facing the driver's from the passenger side I was able to get the clog cleared and it should now be draining properly.

[@kinglion3376]

This works brilliantly! I was able to quickly and easily clean my drains thanks to this hack.

[@mrman9561]

Well I did this exactly as he said I found a hose and I did exactly what he said.the passenger side is different to the drivers side But having said that I managed to get the trombone cleaner in there and cleaned all the bits .I then stuck boiling water down the hole and finally I could see the end results I tried to find the holes without the hose but still struggled so tried it one more time with the hose. I have been trying to resolve this for few hours and for couple of weekends. So far I just wanted to say a big thank you for the tip it worked . Kind regards

[@malcopop3337]

Thanks for that, works a treat. Very easy to miss the drain hole without the tube to guide the brush in.

[@mrman9561]

Thank you so much I tried this today and spent 2 hours trying to find the hole ,I wilm try again tomorrow if this works I would say this is the best video Like yours mine is blocked and I tired with a coat hanger but that did not work I have the trombone cleaner, but once you said if this works I am just happy to try this I appreciate your help Kind regards

[@fatdoggolovespizza]

Thank you! All of the other videos would not show where this stupid hole was. It would always show a close up with bad lighting and people saying, "oh yeah right behind the seat." WHERE?! Thank you.

[@asmith5090]

Thank you so much I’ve had water sloshing around my feet nobody could find the drain holes even jiffy lube was clueless lol 😂

[@lenjones39]

Could you not have used a air hose with a compressor? Wouldn't forced air going into a hole unblocked it, therefore not necessary to use water to flush it? Just a thought. What do you think?

[@marksmeenk1101]

Thanks for your video, the rubber hose really helped me with one clogged up drainhole🙏

[@paulhughes3961]

I have the same car except mine is a soft top. But I was going to clean mine but I wasn't sure what I was looking for. Now I know, thanks.

[@michaelwalden8277]

Youre the man! Helped me so much

[@re575817]

Thank you. Great idea!

[@TrimbleDC]

Great tip. I will try this - like you I have not been able to find the drain hole with the trombone cleaner alone. Keeping my fingers crossed! What was not clear by the video is if the hose will naturally line up with the drain plug once inserted - what stops the hose from directing the trombone cleaner in the wrong direction?

[@teppetrumpet]

The rubber hose needs to stick through the square hole about 2 or 3 inches before it engages with the drain tube. The top of the drain tube is tapered, so the rubber hose pushes into it about 1/2 inch and makes a relatively tight seal. From what I recall, it was easy to find the top of the drain tube with the hose. Using a flashlight through the square hole helps to see where the top of the drain tube is, before inserting the rubber hose.

[@davide4809]

Did it work long term?

[@teppetrumpet]

Yes. It hasn’t gotten re-clogged. I use the brush every couple years to keep it clear, just in case.

[@Paintppa1]

What size tube do you recommend?

[@joethomas1146]

he said 3/4 inch OD (outside diameter) and 1/2 inch ID (inside diameter)

[@josephthomas2226]

I find it easier to push the trombone cleaner up from under the car until it comes out the top

[@teppetrumpet]

I've never tried that, but from what I've read there's a one-way rubber flap/check-valve in the drain line that could be damaged by forcing something up from the bottom. On the other hand, I'm not sure how important the check valve is - perhaps just to keep insects from crawling up?

[@josephthomas2226]

@@teppetrumpet you are absolutely correct, that is why they don't recommend coming up from the bottom. However, I have always had a hard time snaking the brush from the top - it always seems to get stuck and bend and not make it through. So I decided I'll take my chances with the rubber membrane and still clear my pipe. About once a year my car gets filled with water, which is a bigger problem for me than keeping bugs (or whatever) from coming up from the bottom. I assume I have already wrecked that flap!