Clogged sunroof drains totaled my car!
03-03-2015, 06:58 AM
#11
Very sorry to hear that - but I also scratch my head -
How do they get clogged?
Do you (did you) regularly park outside, sunroof open in dusty environment? Under trees, etc?
I just don't get it - usually my sunroof cassette is clean all year round?
Or does dirt somehow get into them from underneath?
Do you (did you) regularly park outside, sunroof open in dusty environment? Under trees, etc?
I just don't get it - usually my sunroof cassette is clean all year round?
Or does dirt somehow get into them from underneath?
03-03-2015, 08:38 AM
#12
AudiWorld Super User
Search. Big negative on the compressed air.
Go in there with 100-150 PSI and watch em blow out or off the fittings buried in the upholstery. But since per this post a member just had his D3 totaled over drains, I guess that's one way to off the car...
Correct way is fishing and vacuum if anything. Since I know it has been posted in last month or so including some good how to's, please search--or just start scrolling down.
Correct way is fishing and vacuum if anything. Since I know it has been posted in last month or so including some good how to's, please search--or just start scrolling down.
03-03-2015, 09:54 AM
#13
Personally I think that an A8 with any kind of water damage is a lost cause. So many electrical issues will develop over time....
JustDriveIt!
03-03-2015, 11:25 AM
#14
The dreaded clogged roof drains are scary. I check mine weekly.
I run it through one of the "touch less" gas station car washes. Once out pull over to get gas and look to see that all four drains are dumping water. They will drain for 10 minutes or so after the wash.
If one plugs I will try the fishing line fix. But knowing one is not working before flooding the interior should prevent this catastrophic failure.
The soapy water from the wash may even help keep the lines clear. It cannot hurt.
I run it through one of the "touch less" gas station car washes. Once out pull over to get gas and look to see that all four drains are dumping water. They will drain for 10 minutes or so after the wash.
If one plugs I will try the fishing line fix. But knowing one is not working before flooding the interior should prevent this catastrophic failure.
The soapy water from the wash may even help keep the lines clear. It cannot hurt.
03-03-2015, 12:21 PM
#15
AudiWorld Member
Doing so risks disconnecting the drain hose from the nipple, which would create an even bigger problem.
One would have to then remove the interior roof panels to be able to reconnect them.
03-03-2015, 12:28 PM
#16
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
The only reason I know this is because the service adviser told me I should have had my oil changes done there, and then I wouldn't be in this situation! C'est la vie. About to purchase either a CL63 or CL550, or S600, with warranty, of course!
03-03-2015, 01:24 PM
#17
AudiWorld Senior Member
If they do they "should" know what they are doing and only use very low PSI.
(very strong should here, I know some former Audi tec's that were useless)
I'm guessing most DIYers would just shove the hose in there at 85 PSI and let it rip.
(very strong should here, I know some former Audi tec's that were useless)
I'm guessing most DIYers would just shove the hose in there at 85 PSI and let it rip.
03-03-2015, 07:52 PM
#18
I wrote up a method to clear plugged sunroof drains here
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a8-...2878607/page3/
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a8-...2878607/page3/
03-03-2015, 08:31 PM
#19
AudiWorld Super User
That's a great set up for a major and known screw up
Doesn't mean they are working particularly smart, nor that if an issue occurs they will deny any connection or responsibility for it whatsoever, and you probably won't experience the issue until some later rainstorm. IIRC documentation about it says don't do that, so they would also be contradicting the available written materials. Dumb, but doesn't surprise me.
03-04-2015, 07:12 AM
#20
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
I don't know if you did any diagnostics on your D3 on your own, but if you did, you will not be happy moving to a MB. Mercedes uses STAR/DAS as their diag tool which basically costs over a grand and you can't do everything you want with it or get "updates"--seems there are still a lot of functions/settings that only a dealer can modify--Merc seems to really want to control the aftermarket once their cars are out of warranty.
In addition, the forums for Mercedes are awful compared to Audi...and BMW, and VW and Porsche--I have been on Rennlist, bimmerforums, golfmk6, vwvortex, IH8Mud, all over the place depending on cars I have owned so I have an informed opinion. The best Mercedes board I have found is MBworld.org, and there just isn't the same degree of knowledge, information and camaraderie as some of the others [and ESPECIALLY this board].
Something to consider as you make a purchase, especially with cars out of warranty. Sorry to hear about the A8 and hope you find something you like to replace it!
In addition, the forums for Mercedes are awful compared to Audi...and BMW, and VW and Porsche--I have been on Rennlist, bimmerforums, golfmk6, vwvortex, IH8Mud, all over the place depending on cars I have owned so I have an informed opinion. The best Mercedes board I have found is MBworld.org, and there just isn't the same degree of knowledge, information and camaraderie as some of the others [and ESPECIALLY this board].
Something to consider as you make a purchase, especially with cars out of warranty. Sorry to hear about the A8 and hope you find something you like to replace it!