New whip - death of the 20 year old Polo - death of a 16 year old Octavia

[Zak33]

This is the near side front door hinge area. Car interior to the right, open door to the left.

The thing sticking out at45 degrees downward is black rubber, and its in the form of a squeezable rubber tip, with a hole through it. That's what got blocked. It feels like a cross-head screw driver, but bigger and when you squeeze it, the hole opens a bit. It is the point where the rain comes out from the sunroof surround if water make sit past the seals of the sunroof.

There is another in the drivers side front door opening, and two at the rear of the car, under the back bumper near the wheel arches. These two rear ones are connected somewhere back behind the sunroof mechanism and run the length of the roof, down the rear pillars and drain under the rear of the car.

Hope this helps someone else

[peterb]

I cant type what I said here... PeterB would ban me for-evs

[spacein_vader]

2 points to make:

1. This is a genuinely interesting thread, I'm about to buy a new (to me,) motor and will definitely be using some of the tips above to clean & sort it when I do.

2. This thread is also an absolute goldmine of innuendo.

[Zak33]

2. This thread is also an absolute goldmine of innuendo.

you... have...no idea.. while I was describing ramming it, and making it gush, with compressors blowing and moist clefts, it all got a bit.. ....well... non PC

[Ttaskmaster]

I have no idea how to clean those pipes though, because I cannot see them from the sunroof end.

IIRC, the drains are at the back of the sunroof behind the glass. This is why you jet them up from the drain end.
jetting them from the sunroof end can pop them off, at which point youre then taking apart the headlining to faff around getting them back on!!

Would have thought on a roof it will get hot on hot days, wet on wet days. No UV exposure though which is nice.

They're hidden away from sunlight. The frame around the sunroof has plastic drain channels, and the rubber hoses connect to this out of direct sunlight.

[DanceswithUnix]

They're hidden away from sunlight. The frame around the sunroof has plastic drain channels, and the rubber hoses connect to this out of direct sunlight.

They are hidden from sunlight, but they can't hide from the rest of the roof which in this weather is really hot.

I haven't had a car with a sunroof for years, I guess with decent climate control there isn't much call, but I presume the sealing hasn't improved that much over the years. I did get caught out by clogged sunroof drains though in the 1995 Alfa 164 which is the last car I had with a sunroof (and no climate control). Water poured in though the roof console with all the electrics that were inside it, I was amazed there was no repercussions from that!

[Ttaskmaster]

Well, after 15 years, my tubes are still fine and flexible, so Škaudiwagorschgattighini group obviously did a reasonable manufacturing job at least once upon a time...

[Zak33]

Well, after 15 years, my tubes are still fine and flexible, so Škaudiwagorschgattighini group obviously did a reasonable manufacturing job at least once upon a time...

think mine are too

[Zak33]

MPG Update-
Average daily commute 40 miles each way, cross country, B roads - 52mpg
Average daily commute 40 miles each way, MOtorways, town - 50mpg

400 mile trip A1 and 2 hours utterly stationary. 51mpg

can see a pattern emerging ;-)

[kalniel]

can see a pattern emerging ;-)

The trip computer's stuck? ;p

[Zak33]

no...the front tyres are worn and it's really more like 49mg ;-)

[Zak33]

Late August update - I've got wet drivers side carpets, front and rear.

It's been hot and dry.
I went on holiday and it was sat staitonary for a week. While I was away, it rained heavily once.

When I got back, I could smell damp and lifted the mats... the drivers side footwells were drenched through. Front and rear.

It therefore isn't coming in from underneath the floor plan through missingh grommets etc as it wasn't driven, so no water splashed up. The road under the car was dry.

I checked the Pollen Filter and it's all clear (that's Passenger side) of leaves and stuff around it. I vacuumed aroundd it to be certain.

I took off the rubber trim under the bonet that holds down the wiper panel (to check that pollen filter) and flexed it up as far as it would go to clean out on the drivers side bulkghead area where the wiper linkage etc is. It was pretty dirty and dusty, but not really wet. But it's not rained for a few days, so it's possible it dried out. I can see the bonnet cable goes into the car there- the grommet looks ok to be fair.

I opened the sunroof and poured water down both front drain holes. On the passenger side it came out of the rubber nipple in the door hinge area (see previous photo) but on the drivers side the water pourered out under the front wing... not through the rubber nipple. I cant see it coming into the cabin, but that would be behind the carpet so would be invisible. I'm assuming I've disconnected the hoses from those rubber nipples... cos I'm a nipple.. when I rodded it.

Questions -
If a door seal was failing, where would I see the water ingress? On the plastic sills? Down one pillar?
If it can come into the car from that sunroof drain hose, how do I get it reconnected... cos it's tight in there!
Where else should I look?

I'm assuming the rear footwell is wet because it's moved from the front to the rear---the floor pan feels like it's got a channel down the middle when I push the carpet hard down to feel the shape.

Any other ideas please?

cheers all

[peterb]

Heater matrix?

[Ttaskmaster]

Sounds like you've popped the hose off the drain outfall inside the door - Mine was similarly flooded.
You can pop the rubber drain out and see if you can reach the hose and carefully pop it all back together. If not, it will be a case of getting inside the lining down the A-pillar.
Same if you've popped the hose off at the top drain, but more of a PITA...

[Zak33]

Heater matrix?

no, I'd spot that immediately. I can smell antifreeze at 100 yeards

this is rain water

[Zak33]

Sounds like you've popped the hose off the drain outfall inside the door - Mine was similarly flooded.
You can pop the rubber drain out and see if you can reach the hose and carefully pop it all back together. If not, it will be a case of getting inside the lining down the A-pillar.
Same if you've popped the hose off at the top drain, but more of a PITA...

i tried.. man I tried... I can get my finger in... (inuendo central inbound) and I even trimmed my nails for her, but I cant hit the spot.

tbh... it's tight in that door jam area.. I think it needs the door coming off!

tell me.. as a man who clearly knows the inside of an A pillar... what does it look like in there?

I mgiht get a USB camera probe on Amazon for my phone....i cant get anything in there to hook it out with..