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What is the best way to clean out the sunroof drain tubes?

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Old 05-16-2010, 05:54 PM
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Default What is the best way to clean out the sunroof drain tubes?

I bought an Si hatch about a month ago and just went through my first hard rain earlier this week. When I park the car it's at an upward angle with the rear lower than the front. I'm under a deck that serves as a semi carport, however rain obviously gets through the cracks in the boards and falls on to the car. The morning after the rain I got in to the car to go to the gym and literally a gallon size waterfall of water fell all over me and the front seats. Needless to say I was pissed, but the plus side was that it helped with the workout.

I just performed an advanced search and read up on quite a few threads concerning unclogging the sunroof drain tubes. Most suggested using compressed air to clean out the tubes, but a few others recommended replacing the tubes altogether.

What method have you used in the past and how successful was it? Have the tubes remained unclogged since?
Old 05-16-2010, 06:12 PM
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Default Re: What is the best way to clean out the sunroof drain tubes?

i've never had to replace or clean mine but from what i've read the compressed air method seems to do the trick most times. if not that i might try and roto-root those bastards with an extra long fuzzy pipe cleaner lol
Old 05-16-2010, 07:39 PM
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Default Re: What is the best way to clean out the sunroof drain tubes?

f replacing them! just blast them with air! drop the headliner it takes like 10 to 15 min.
Old 05-18-2010, 09:13 AM
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Default Re: What is the best way to clean out the sunroof drain tubes?

Are the tubes completely visible all the way to the rear of the car once the headliner comes down or do they snake behind a metal guide and/or party of the shell? I can't seem to find any pictures of this at all.

I'm debating just going to Lowes and buying replacement tubing. Unfortunately I don't have access to an engine bay and compressed air.
Old 05-18-2010, 09:27 AM
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Default Re: What is the best way to clean out the sunroof drain tubes?

Originally Posted by saltypants
Are the tubes completely visible all the way to the rear of the car once the headliner comes down or do they snake behind a metal guide and/or party of the shell? I can't seem to find any pictures of this at all.

I'm debating just going to Lowes and buying replacement tubing. Unfortunately I don't have access to an engine bay and compressed air.
once you remove the headliner, you will notice the tube goes between the metal guide. it wont be visible until you remove the rear side panels. you will see the last feet or so of the drain tube. pull the tube end out, and remove their " filter/end cap" and gunk/water will flow from it.
Old 05-18-2010, 10:55 AM
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Default Re: What is the best way to clean out the sunroof drain tubes?

i cleaned mine today at a gas station with "free air" from there air compressor. its for tires but when you push the button air releases weather theres a tire there or not.. for the front i opened the sun roof and sprayed the front holes open through the top, for the back i removed the plastic cover beside the rear tail lights and pulled the hose out, removed the black end and crap/water fell out. i then blew out both hose ends and put it back together.. took 5 minutes
Old 05-20-2010, 08:23 AM
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Default Re: What is the best way to clean out the sunroof drain tubes?

I've been having the same problem the past few weeks. When the car is parked facing up hill, I get about a gallon of water pouring on top of me.

Everything i've read says to remove the headliner and most of the sunroof assembly. I'd rather not have to go that route. So I guess i'll try compressed air from the drain end of the tubing...
Old 05-20-2010, 12:42 PM
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Default Re: What is the best way to clean out the sunroof drain tubes?

i just park facing downhill, no more sunroof shower
Old 05-20-2010, 07:04 PM
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Default Re: What is the best way to clean out the sunroof drain tubes?

get a piece of wire like 14 gauge or even 18 gauge and fish it in there. Then get a water bottle and pour the water in there and see if it drains properly. It's possible that the front drains are clogged as well.
Old 05-21-2010, 01:28 AM
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Default Re: What is the best way to clean out the sunroof drain tubes?

https://wwwx.cs.unc.edu/~hays/crx/crxsunroof.pdf

awesome sunroof writeup for CRX Si, should be similar to the civic
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