Stopped Up Sunroof Drains

Chevy takes the cake. How to fix your sunroof leak.

[@7632764]

Good video, one thing I might add as another way to clean the lines is with plastic gas trimmer line. You just put the line in the hole and gently push and pull till it comes out the bottom. I've used that method on my car and it works good.

[@elisahoevelman8907]

Glad I saw this video. It helps me understand why. It was pouring rain and the water was leaking through my sunroof as well in the front and then into the panel and dripping by the entertainment system, and also from the left side of the dashboard onto the floorboard. I was also cupping it too, while driving. This was an absolutely horrible experience. I own a 2005 Chevy. I will need to take it in. Wasn't sure if it was the seal, something simple, or complex, but your break down was great and helped me make my decision. Thanks.

[@rodneyholmes6567]

+Elisa Hoeveliman I bet the mold smell inside all these vehicles make the car seem 20 years old huh? SMH

[@rbeehner2]

This was helpful. I just brought home a 2011 Chevy Equinox LTZ "As Is no warranty." Driving in the rain today, I discovered how freely water can flow behind the headliner. When it stops raining I'll clean out the drains. I want to add to everyone complaining about automotive engineers that I work in Detroit and I know many Ford VO, GM Tech Center and FCA Tech Center engineers and I can say these people are intelligent, interested and qualified. A lot of these design problems are not because of bad engineering but are driven by cost. Still, my roof leaks ~ soooo I'll look to take some of them to lunch in the rain soon.

[@ronwalsh]

I feel your pain man. My wife's 2015 Nissan Rogue has the exact same issue. I brought it to the dealer, worked okay for a bit, now it is leaking again. I am going at it with some compressed air and maybe a hatchet.

[@MarkesZa]

I had the same problem on my Volvo S70 the little x helped clog up the sunroof tube. Informative video thanx a bunch!

[@75shak]

Thank you so much for this video. You showed me where to look and I was able to save myself $200 in repairs, and I didn't even have a hose blockage - for whatever reason the hose was tilted to drain inside my car instead of outside.

[@hachitech]

Actually the location and port is designed that way so bugs would not crawl into the dark moist tube, make a home out of it and eventually clog the tube. But I guess they underestimated the amount of dirt and debris that can also be trapped that way

[@Hunter_91]

I'm experiencing the same issue with my 06 cobalt ss. I have a pool of water on my passenger side floor after every time it rains hard. Doesn't always leak but it's a pain in the ass when it does leak. Pretty sure I need to do what you did to your Chevy, just don't have the tools. After I watched your video I poured a bit of water by each drain hole that pointed out in your video. The driver side hole worked perfectly and my passenger side doesn't drain anything. Thanks for posting the video! You helped me lots

[@BrotherDamon73]

my Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo does the same thing. i feel your pain and totally commiserated and chuckled while watching this. kudos!!

[@Texas1FlyBoy]

Love the commentary! And I feel the pain, too. I have a Chevy. The drains clogged and I ended up with over an inch of water in my floorboard. I was able to clean one out with a long plastic fiber optic cable that I happened to have handy. The other one - not so good. I've tried compressed air, but so far, no good. I don't relish the thought of having to take the door off, but rather than try Drain-O, that might be what I have to do. Yeah... After all the problems and recalls I've had, I'm seriously considering getting rid of this (Chevy) thing. Ridiculous! But thanks for the laugh! Thumbs up!

[@newtck]

OMG.... I love the smartass condescending tone. I'm sure I will have it tomorrow. Got in my car tonight to go to work. Pulling out the drive way it was like someone pulled a big glass of water and dumped it over my head. It's been raining for 3 days now so this should be tons of fun. Common sense is not as common as I would like. I really hope the hose doesn't end at the damn door. 😣😤

[@joecal42o]

You sir, are the man. 10/10 Would watch again.

[@CrisVinluan]

Mercury Mariner Hybrid 2009 (most sunroofs are fairly similar): I have a problem with water leaking and pooling onto the carpet at the "passenger front side". You helped me realize that it is likely a drain hole on the passenger side of the sunroof! During the winter, I never open my sunroof; but I opened my sunroof and noticed that there was standing water at the passenger side of the sunroof, because the passenger side slopes downward when I park on my street! It appears that the drain tube that leads from the "drain hole at the passenger side of the sunroof" is likely full of water, from the floor to the roof, because of crumbled leaf debris. I found a reputable local mechanic with good Yelp reviews and showed him the standing water. This mechanic said he will charge me up to $105.00 to clean out the drain tubes, and I have an appointment tomorrow. I will post my results, ASAP.

[@CrisVinluan]

+Cris Vinluan The mechanic cleaned out the drain tubes and saved me some seeds from an ornamental pear tree (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrus_calleryana) that I park my vehicle underneath! But since this is a so-called "El Nino" rain pattern, I will continue to monitor the moist conditions in my vehicle. And I will try to keep my vehicle clear of this debris and will be ready to clear the drain tubes, next time!

[@diegobasstian3765]

Very helpful. I would of never thought these jackrabbit's would have put it there......thanks for sharing the video

[@nicehess]

06 Saturn Ion had a trunk full of water where the battery is. Wish I had seen your video long ago. This will now become a regular maintenance item. Love my sunroof, but didn't realize the maintenance involved.

[@ghassan]

I love how agitated you were, i cannot stop laughing. I had a bucket of water splash me in the face today in the morning... so i feel you :D

[@HooverPresidentialFoundation]

I have the same car. Passenger side floods. Took door off like yyou showed, blew out the line with my air hose and drains great for now. Thanks for the video. Can you replace the thermostat? How about an interior fan that only works on setting four? :-)

[@levibarton9707]

did junk shoot out of the little hoses when you blew that air through with your compressor?

[@timdavis9741]

All you have to do is use an air hose and air trigger open your sunroof and blow the air down thru the holes in both corners. Then poor some water from a bottle down the hole and see if it backs up or drains out underneath the space between your front door and fender well. If not you can take the plastic interior trim down off your wind shield post and disconnect the hose right there and blow air thru and then water. If all that fails run heavy weed eater line down thru the drain tubes. You might have dirt dobber mud spider or anything else in there which is why they don't leave the drain hole completely open.!!!

[@Guitarteacher777]

New Nissan Altima. Same thing. I feel your fury which you mask well.

[@eddiefoy3701]

How well/hard was it to get the door aligned up properly?

[@patwilson764]

Thanks for your great video I have had this problem for 4 years and dumb mechanics don't know this? They keep changing the tubes on the top of the roof and duh!! not to mention the money I have spent,still water getting in on both side of the car floor. Going to tell them of what you showed I and maybe it will solve the problem.

[@jequinlan3]

You pulled a door off without trying to blow out with compressed air first? And flushing with water

[@tikedaniels4934]

My Lincoln had the same problem. Head liner looks a mess with water stains. You'd think manufactures would have sunroofs completely sealed by now. Imma try the air thing at the gas station

[@keithwhitehead5642]

My sympathies. Same deal with my Sorento. Great design, by really well paid dudes.

[@ClothespinPuppets]

Thank you sooooooo much for posting this! You just saved me a few (hundred) dollars. Much appreciated.

[@amayers7]

Thanks for the valuable info. been looking for the drain exit point for ever it seems..

[@SealofPerfection]

you don't need to take the doors off. That was crazy. You did way more work than you needed to. All you have to do is get either a wire tie or cut you a piece of lawn trimmer cord and run it up that extra spout, and then maybe run it down the drain exit up at the sunroof area and it will come right out.

[@1533ramsay]

Thxs for vid. I share your frustration. 2008 Buick Enclave. This has to be blown out every six months. The dealership charges about $100 per job. So off to my father n laws to try to blow out. My wife car smells like a really bad guys locker room. I shake my head. Mark

[@jmed1839]

I cant believe we have to deal with this! Thanks for the video!

[@billkirk9311]

I couldn't stop laughing - sorry - you were just so pissed and on the verge of saying something you might regret. I Looked this up looking for a fix on a CRV. The cap on the end of a tube is just ridiculous engineering by GMC...and BTW NO! ants are not crawling in there! they are just dumb. Its seems that all makes and models of cars with sunroofs have this problem though. Reminds me to double check my 2013 Civic before it gets plugged.

[@uadimwit]

The problem isn't "ants crawling in there." The small opening is to prevent certain types of wasps from laying their eggs inside of a mud cocoon that will be a real pain to get out. In the south, they are called "dirt dobber wasps" and they will lay their eggs in any 1/4 inch round opening. Getting the dried mud out of wherever they have laid their eggs is a task into itself.

[@jonpfenghanssl7320]

Man, I have respect,..I would have been cursing Chev up and down. Have an Outlook with the same issue. Going to work now. Damn I hate engineers!

[@jimmyerbe768]

I was waiting for you to blow air through sunroof drain at the camera when u had the closeup

[@milla698]

Wow why tear the car apart. Mine were clogged up and nothing was getting through so I bought some liquid plumber poured some on and it didn't take two mins and they were open. So i just washed them out good. Very simple fix

[@imnengineer]

Thx littlegreenwon, this definitely laid the blueprint to get my sunroof drain port cleared too, just curious, what year is your suburban? I am having the same problem, but mine is an '02, so is the configuration the same you think? Thanks again for the great post!!!!

[@jgilliam27]

I too have an 02 Suburban, were you able to get yours unstopped? I have tried compressed air from the top but I guess I know why it would not blow it out considering the X at the end.

[@imnengineer]

@J Gilliam: To be honest no, I did take the molding that covers the drain hose, but fear that I would probably need to do the same as littlegreenwon and take off the door to get to it. Will definitively be a hell of a fucking project, will let you know how it goes man.

[@jgilliam27]

imnengineer I spoke to a mechanic on Monday, he said it is behind the fender, yes having to take it off. There is an outside chance we can remove the the plastic molding on the lower inside and reveal a hole in the firewall that would let us access the drain tube. He said it is attached with clips, and just snaps off, may have to take off the plastic trim along the floor that conceals the carpet edge first. I have not tried this yet, planning this project for Saturday morning.He also said an air compressor should blow out the blockage, but maybe not with this plug on the end.

[@imnengineer]

@J Gilliam: So you mean the trim that is next to the passenger seat? On the floor, we would need to remove that trim as well? I really need to clear blockage as my driver side seat is getting wet. Do you think you can upload a video and show me or even a pic, J Gilliam?

[@imnengineer]

J Gilliam : Send the pics here buddy: [e-mail]

[@bladder1010]

Unless I'm mistaken, that little 'X' is to retain the end of the tube, no? I believe the tubing should protrude past the 'X', and that gives the tubing enough friction to keep from falling out of the grommet and inside the body.

[@powderfinger66]

It's to stop any spiders or little critters crawling up inside and blocking it up. Thats the kind of thing that could block it after a week or two rather than after a few years with the debris the X blocks. Lesser of 2 evils

[@2kblackss]

I think they need a X on top AND bottom!!!

[@Didewro]

Did this drain down the pillar and cause your carpet to get wet too?

[@erick019]

Same shit is happening to my Infiniti except my leaks from the A and B pillars smh thanks for the vid man.

[@kennikuhlmann-clark9860]

"Where do you take a cake? To the movies?.... You know where I'd take a cake? To the bakery -- to see the other cakes!" George Carlin

[@Juan9Poet]

This happened to me today in my Buick Enclave!! Pissed is not a strong enough word to describe my anger/frustration

[@FLBill]

dont forget to blow out the rear ones too.... (4 drains, one at each corner...) FL Bill

[@CrAzY6tothe6]

FL Bill i was just chillin waiting for my class to start and i just see water coming from random areas in frint of the ceiling. I had to park in reverse so that the water flows onto the drains in the back. This is beyond ridiculous.

[@Hunter_91]

What do you suggest I use to clear the drain hose out once I get the door off?

[@blowtup]

Is there a drain on the passenger door as well?

[@CrAzY6tothe6]

If your struggling to find a way to keep your car from getting water. Try to get it to incline on a working drain. Or put something on top of it

[@1s1t1e1v1e1]

It makes perfect sense to block the end of the open drain. A five year old would know better. Glad they put their engineering degree to good use though.

[@jpak8]

This car's sunroof drain has been the bane of my existence since I got it 😤

[@dartaniagreer2774]

I feel your pain I have a Mercury Sable Premier that's doing the same thing

[@jambenzman]

its made that way to keep bugs from going up in there! just like the ac drain hose it goes from a circle to a flat slit!

[@policecar45]

run air pressure through a tube in the sunroof drain holes?

[@amberladue1712]

LoL!!!! Same thing, I was sitting in my car just cupping the water with my hands!

[@jpak8]

I'm about to do this tomorrow. GOD, they had to make it so hard to get to, didn't they.

[@allgy07]

LOL I LOVE YOUR VIDEO. I EE I AMM NOT THE ONLY FRUSTRATED ONE. I AM HAVING THE SAE PROBLEM. GREAT HELPFUL VIDEO. THANKS FOR POSTING.

[@printer003]

I have a 2004 Chevy Tahoe. I see the top drains, but not the bottom exits. Does anyone know where they're located?

[@tracemartini5125]

I wouldn't worry about finding it, go to a tire shop or auto repair shop and ask them if you could use the air. Tell them your sunroof drain is plugged up and you just want to blow it out. Ask if they could put the adapter on it to blow it out with. 90% of places will be cool and let you do it. Have sunroof opened and don't take but a minute, put the blower in hole at top where sunroof is and when you blow you will hear where it comes out at. Blow it for 15-20 seconds, if it is blowing out at door, open your door of course and keep blowing till it's clear. Do both sides. If you don't get it unclogged use fish tape or a coat hanger from either end to clear out junk

[@printer003]

trace martini I actually went to put air in my tire and taped a straw yo the hose. Blew in there pretty good. Me and the wife didn't see anything really come out anywhere. But I haven't washed it to see if anything changed yet. Lol. But thanks for the advice👍

[@76kamikazi]

At least yours is easy to get to.On my 09 nissan maxima it exits through the pinch well for the tire jack (could you have done a dumber design nissan} were you cant see the hose exit to clean it out

[@chrish4723]

you're a riot!

[@mikebeggs9085]

ITS A HECK OF A LOT EASIER JUST GETTING AN AIR CHUCK AND USE AN AIR COMPRESSOR BLOWING IT OUT.

[@accousticdecay]

Ummmm.... good chance of blowing the hose off the fitting. I like the trimmer line idea better.

[@Tyfixisall]

I laughed so hard at this video!

[@andrewjoseph7799]

I think this is what you call 'over-engineered'! They put the X at the bottom likely to hold the hose in place which is a bad design obviously but I think perhaps a screen at the top of the drain hoses to prevent things from getting in there might be better, perhaps a bigger hose, etc... they should probably study roofs and gutter systems as there is plenty of knowledge to be gained there! I would get some pipe cleaner an try that.. perhaps drano would work as well although not sure how that effects rubber or plastic tubing!

[@Daryth]

GM does the same thing.....their sunroof hoses disconnect right over top of the fuse box and some computer modules.

[@Al_Z.Heimer]

Odd that the drain doesn't go all the way down and outside the wheel well as it does on some Chevy products. Saw one video where the tube somehow became disconnected at the top...totally different way to fix. Using a plastic trimmer wire or air pressure can keep those canals free of debris. None of the sun roofs are designed to keep all water out and have those trays and tubes for that purpose. The little tabs on end are designed to get you in for maintenance costs... ;) Okay...just poorly designed...it might be better to have a removable screen on the end of the tube just like one has on aerator bathroom faucets and tube go all the way to bottom...I think it does on my 2002 Avalanche. I've had to maintain the sunroof on EVERY vehicle with a sunroof...no getting around it if you keep the vehicle a while and especially if you keep it outside.

[@scottwebb531]

I feel your frustration. I can't find the exit for my Toyota's drain

[@cooperz7870]

Scott Webb it might be at the front wheel

[@peterharper9703]

My Hummer H3 same issue. Oh it going to cost me +$150 to have to dealership fix it. I'll have to mod it when I get it back.

[@rodneyholmes6567]

+Peter Harper Let me know what you did to ultimately fix this. Wife's H3 smells like it has been buried in Louisiana swamp and moldy. I pulled the passenger side carpet back about 4 inches from the foot board and very damp under the carpet. Used blow dryer for several minutes on a sunny day with all doors and windows open to kill the mold as far as I could without ripping the entire front carpet out. Once dry, i used Odor Ban to kill and deodorize best I could. Lasted about 12 months until a big downpour occurred and the problem is back, Even after blowing with air and trying to force water inside while running speedometer cable on a low speed drill to auger the tube. Little or no luck. Thanks

[@majorbubbie2626]

Rodney Holmes check the lights on the roof.

[@wwise8474]

If you knew anything about grommets- the x that you call a barrier is for the hose to go through as a friction fit device. If your hose is behind the "x", you need to pull it through, so the water can drain as designed. jeez

[@applepiebetty]

You think air might work? Why didn't you do that first? It is the easiest way. Only reason to take your door off would have ben IF the cover plate had it's X in front of the tube rather then the tube going through.The blockage of the cap isn't a problem because it should be over the tube not in front of it. The X is just to help keep it on and to be able to slip it over the tube.

[@HooverPresidentialFoundation]

cant get it back on that tight. X is in front of both tubes when I checked. Must not be the first time...

[@levibarton9707]

i was thinking that too. Thats just there to make sure the tube fits on snug in the center

[@SealofPerfection]

LOL....all you had to do to access the exit spout was remove the inner fender and that divider foam right that in the fender and reach your hand up in there. You don't remotely have to remove the entire door. All sunroofs have drain tubes. It's not unique to Chevy. Some are easier to get to than others....this isn't one of the hard ones.

[@tdginter]

Do you, by chance, know of a video that demonstrates how to do what you described? Mt passenger side has been leaking into my floorboard for months. I keep towels down to absorb the water. So glad someone shared a different video showing it can be a relatively easy fix. Wished I'd thought to research the specific issue myself.

[@laurenkeranakis9869]

You are my hero. Chevy can kiss my ass

[@runnningonempty]

CAN I KISS IT TOO?

[@72Disco1998]

Just wait when the fuel pump goes kaput. You can use weed eater string.

[@TheTikinator]

Ford F-150 has the same issue. We can send a man to the moon and car manufacturers can't solve these simple issues. I guess it's too complex and expensive to add 2 more feet of tube and send it through the floor board to drain to the street.

[@brownbmo]

Not really sure why you took the whole door off to clean a tube you can simply clear by pushing a line in from the top. It gave me a good laugh though.

[@MaxKalin]

dude really???? you took your door off? on my ram I just had to open the door. I had same exact problem but got it fixed under 30 mins.

[@Matt-vl1xk]

This is also happening to my Equinox. Can't wait to take both front doors off! Oh thank you Obama for bailing them out! I also own a Toyota Tacoma, which is great! and I can say the car that replaces my Equinox will be a Toyota. I will not buy another Chevy. Speaking of stupid engineering by Chevy, have any of you changed the oil on your Equinox? Gotta love the 18" vertical tube above the filter filled with oil to pour out on you when you loosen the filter!

[@MarkesZa]

The little X is a soundtrap! guess what it does?

[@rodneyholmes6567]

+Max Flamer Trap drainage debris?

[@michaelsanders6466]

I get what you are saying. You should not be buying GM products. You showed why you do not buy GM product. Poorly engineered products. This is pumper 101 drains get bigger.

[@patsparling6718]

2005 buick allure sunroof leaks

[@majorbubbie2626]

this happens on anything with a sun roof

[@rsg587]

Blowing air had been known to disconnect connectors in the lines.. Probably good he didnt try that...

[@necromancer___3054]

A Piece of Frame metal? lmao

[@imnengineer]

+J Gillam

[@corvairjim1]

You mean I have to take off the friggin' door of my Cobalt SS to clean out the friggin' drain tubes? Who's genius idea was that? Oh yeah, GM design trying to build income for their dealers.

[@SealofPerfection]

No, you don't have to take the door off. People who know what they're doing don't do it that way.

[@LILMANlc]

Bro I'm having the same fucking problem man ,

[@PRINTER222]

only stupid engineers!!!!

[@wolfman4u1]

+PRINTER222 - I have a 2001 Ford Harley Davidson model pick up truck with sunroof and have the same problem with the drain tubes except they run down the front A pillars no wonder Detroit went out of business

[@itsmarkwtf]

GM takes the cake? You do know you are making yourself look stupid.. right? All auto makers do sunroofs this way. ALL OF THEM!

[@rodneyholmes6567]

+itsmarkwtf PROFESSIONAL GRADE?

[@scubasteve2908]

Should have just bought a ford hahaha

[@edgu71eg]

Dont buy American I literally bought a 2016 Camaro off the floor and it leaks so bad ALL THE ELECTRONICS FRIED The dealer wouldn't cover it

[@rustyshackleford5058]

Good vid minus the autism

[@FireEater]

Poor design love chevy but your killing me.

[@sueschmiedeskamp4788]

H