Roof leak

[tob1as]

Yesterday I noticed a significant roof leak in the car wash on the passenger side. 2017 BEV with sunroof. Water was pouring in at the top of the b-pillar. Any thoughts as to what might be going on? (There are water stains on the headliner already).

 

[tongsli]

Sun roof drains are clogged

 

[tob1as]

Sun roof drains are clogged

Thanks. How do I unclog them?

 

[Mustrum Ridcully]

On my mini, I used an air hose from my compressor with soft copper pipe as the nozzle. If you have mud dauber wasps in your area, they can be the devil to blow free.

 

[tob1as]

Where are the drain holes located/how many are there?

 

[tongsli]

Where are the drain holes located/how many are there?

you're going to have to look. I don't have the sunroof on my car. Open the sunroof(s) and look in the "corners" for a hole. There are probably 4 total 2 front, 2 back for each one but I don't know for sure. use weed wacker string to help clear.

Compressed air could blow apart the drain hose fittings so be careful.

 

[Mustrum Ridcully]

you're going to have to look. I don't have the sunroof on my car. Open the sunroof(s) and look in the "corners" for a hole. There are probably 4 total 2 front, 2 back for each one but I don't know for sure. use weed wacker string to help clear.

Compressed air could blow apart the drain hose fittings so be careful.

I will take a look at my sunroof I us air all the time in my machine shop so modulating the pressure is second nature to me. I should have given that warning and that tip about weed whacked string is a good one especially for the damm mud daubers

 

[tongsli]

A friend made this tool specifically for this job.

 

[tob1as]

A friend made this tool specifically for this job.

View attachment 1230

What diameter is that clear tube?

 

[tongsli]

What diameter is that clear tube?

I'm not sure. He's using it on a VW Touareg which isn't the same as ours.

 

[jtheires]

I repaired a Jeep some time ago with clogged/frozen sunroof drains. I used a long (36") length of solid-core electrical wire. Gently fish the wire through the drain tube from the top down. It will emerge from the bottom of the car when you have made it through the drain tube.

 

[nilknarf]

This tool is made for clearing sunroof drains and can be had for about $2 on aliexpress. There are plenty of options on amazon and eBay as well.

 

[tob1as]

This tool is made for clearing sunroof drains and can be had for about $2 on aliexpress. There are plenty of options on amazon and eBay as well.

So, I got the tool, but for the life of me I could not locate where the drains are located in the i3 sunroof surround. What am I missing? And yes, I spent a while googling and trying to find the answer/a video, but all that ever show up are common BMW vehicles like the 3-series. Help!

 

[tongsli]

So, I got the tool, but for the life of me I could not locate where the drains are located in the i3 sunroof surround. What am I missing? And yes, I spent a while googling and trying to find the answer/a video, but all that ever show up are common BMW vehicles like the 3-series. Help!

Take a cup of water and pour it in the channel of the sunroof (first picture) with the roof open. Follow the water

 

[ksnax]

So, I got the tool, but for the life of me I could not locate where the drains are located in the i3 sunroof surround. What am I missing? And yes, I spent a while googling and trying to find the answer/a video, but all that ever show up are common BMW vehicles like the 3-series. Help!

I don't have the sunroof and can't confirm it, but I would guess that first photo shows 3 strainers before the drain hole, and that is where I would be looking closest.

 

[kristoferen]

So, I got the tool, but for the life of me I could not locate where the drains are located in the i3 sunroof surround. What am I missing? And yes, I spent a while googling and trying to find the answer/a video, but all that ever show up are common BMW vehicles like the 3-series. Help!

Did you ever figure it out?

 

[tob1as]

Did you ever figure it out?

Not yet, but it’s been a dry fall thankfully. Not 100% sure whether it’s the roof or door seals to be honest. Hand car wash doesn’t seem to leak though (in a commercial pressure wash booth, not just with sponge and bucket).