finding source of rain leak into cabin
Re: finding source of rain leak into cabin
Finally got around to the full on hose test. After 5-10 minutes dousing the back left vent and rear windshield, and getting no results, I non-chalantly put the spray on the sunroof and nearly flooded the foot zone of rear passenger side... it was a small stream of water into the car. So, I am pretty sure sunroof leak is the culptrit... now for the fix!
Re: finding source of rain leak into cabin
FIXED (for now)!!!
I ran some refrigerator water hose/tubing through the passenger-side rear drain hole/tube from above and below. It never made it around an apparent curve in there, but by jiggling and shoving/pulling, a bunch of organic detritus (leaf remnants, muddy sludge) flowed out and the drain subsequently flowed. Have not had a full on rain dump on the car yet, but it worked with the hose test. Cheers.
I ran some refrigerator water hose/tubing through the passenger-side rear drain hole/tube from above and below. It never made it around an apparent curve in there, but by jiggling and shoving/pulling, a bunch of organic detritus (leaf remnants, muddy sludge) flowed out and the drain subsequently flowed. Have not had a full on rain dump on the car yet, but it worked with the hose test. Cheers.
Re: finding source of rain leak into cabin
We generally used monofilament line, like weed-eater. Anything stronger can dislodge the drain tube and it's small enough to get around many restrictions. Good on you for staying with it!
Re: finding source of rain leak into cabin
I tried the weed-whacker line I have at home and it was not sturdy enough. Neither the monofilament nor the refrigerator line would pass through drain tube entirely. I don't know if that is because of a bend in the drain that may have an edge which catches, or because of the blockage, but I tried not to be too aggressive either way. Ultimately, the rigidity of the refrigerator line is what worked (my monofilament was too flexible and could not push against it to make a dent in the blockage).BMWCCA2 wrote: Jun 29, 2022 9:27 PM We generally used monofilament line, like weed-eater. Anything stronger can dislodge the drain tube and it's small enough to get around many restrictions. Good on you for staying with it!
Re: finding source of rain leak into cabin
Glad you found the leak!Mashford wrote: Jun 29, 2022 10:55 AM FIXED (for now)!!!
I ran some refrigerator water hose/tubing through the passenger-side rear drain hole/tube from above and below. It never made it around an apparent curve in there, but by jiggling and shoving/pulling, a bunch of organic detritus (leaf remnants, muddy sludge) flowed out and the drain subsequently flowed. Have not had a full on rain dump on the car yet, but it worked with the hose test. Cheers.
Re: finding source of rain leak into cabin
Probably not your issue, but I recently learned that there is a gutter under the trailing edge of the sunroof, and if there is not then water will drip on your neck. My gutter was missing. Actually, it was detached from the sunroof and hiding all the way at the back of the roof cavity.
I slid it forward with a magnet stick (that you use to retrieve a lost nut) and figure out how to reattach it to the sunroof so that it slides back and forth with the sunroof.
I also learned that the sunroof “fingers” are supposed to have little bushings, and with those missing the sunroof is very fiddly. I pulled those bushings off a parts car and will press them on eventually.
I wish I had a tin top, honestly.
I slid it forward with a magnet stick (that you use to retrieve a lost nut) and figure out how to reattach it to the sunroof so that it slides back and forth with the sunroof.
I also learned that the sunroof “fingers” are supposed to have little bushings, and with those missing the sunroof is very fiddly. I pulled those bushings off a parts car and will press them on eventually.
I wish I had a tin top, honestly.