Moonroof Drain hoses c/w diagram

[CDW6212R]

Almost all sunroofs have a drain pan around and below the roof seam, to catch and drain water. The pan typically has four drains, holes at the corners where a simple rubber hose is clamped on, and the hose leads down the pillar next to it. The hoses generally will never clog up, but the drain hole of the pan will be smaller than the hose, and those do clog up. The hoses may come loose from the pan drain hole/nipple, that's usually from the clamp being weak, or someone pulling on the hose.

The rear drains should be going down the "B" pillars, front go down the "A" pillars. Check to see if you can find all four of the hoses under the vehicle. They should be visible normally, just the ends showing below the pillar areas. Id a hose comes loose, that should end up with a bad water leak on the headliner.

 

[peterk9]

Has anyone been told by Ford dealer that you need body work to repair clogged rear sunroof drains on a Ford Explorer?

If so, what did that entail and what was the cost?

I have been having sunroof leak issues on my 2013. Dealer repaired front drains, but told me I needed to go to body shop for repair of rear drains. They were not able to explain to me the nature of the "repair" needed or offer any estimate of cost.

Wondering if anyone has experience with this before I ask at a body shop.

Thank you

Your thread was merged with this existing one.
Clearing clogged moonroof drains can be a DIY project. Many have done it. I'm not aware of anyone having to have a body shop do it.
Did you not fix the front drains yourself a while ago?

Peter

 

[914pete]

2014 XLT. So I found where the passenger side front sunroof drain exits the car. Its basically above the wheel well. You have to take the wheel trim off and most of the plastic wheel well to get at it. It doesn't exit under the car or anywhere easily accessible. What else is new. My question is, what is at the exit end of the drain tube? I can easily push a 1/4" poly tube down from the top like 3 feet then it stops. Its so easy to push the tube down the drain you would think it would just exit out the bottom of the drain tube. It doesn't. It is clear now yet I can't push anything up from the bottom either. Has anyone actually removed this tube? Is there a check valve or something at the exit or does it take a 90 degree turn or something. I never leave my sunroof open while parked. I have no idea why only the passenger side drain gets clogged. There is never debris of any kind up in the tracks of the sunroof. Im on my third motor and my car smells like a swamp from all the flooding

 

[J_C]

I would try fishing through something smaller than 1/4" diameter, like maybe string trimmer line. I'd try to cut the end of the line squarely and use a flame to try to melt a rounded end on it so it doesn't as easily catch on anything.

Might just be fungus in the line. If all else fails, I might try an enzyme based drain cleaner, and gentle pressure from a turkey baster. I've read of people using an air compressor to blow it out, but that seems more like a last resort to me.

 

[peterk9]

2014 XLT. So I found where the passenger side front sunroof drain exits the car. Its basically above the wheel well. You have to take the wheel trim off and most of the plastic wheel well to get at it. It doesn't exit under the car or anywhere easily accessible. What else is new. My question is, what is at the exit end of the drain tube? I can easily push a 1/4" poly tube down from the top like 3 feet then it stops. Its so easy to push the tube down the drain you would think it would just exit out the bottom of the drain tube. It doesn't. It is clear now yet I can't push anything up from the bottom either. Has anyone actually removed this tube? Is there a check valve or something at the exit or does it take a 90 degree turn or something. I never leave my sunroof open while parked. I have no idea why only the passenger side drain gets clogged. There is never debris of any kind up in the tracks of the sunroof. Im on my third motor and my car smells like a swamp from all the flooding

Your thread was merged with this existing one found with the 'Search' feature. Not much here not already discussed. Post #4 shows you the drain diagram. The drains should be clear all the way to the end. There are no valves, etc. Blocked tubes usually result in water pooling in the foot wells. If there is water anywhere else, it could be a different issue. Good luck.

Peter

 

[mguy13sport]

Compressed air works good. The door pillar side drains definitely route through the floor and drain underneath the car. There is a grommet in the floor pan on each side.

If you are getting water on the passenger floor it could be the windshield seals. Check around the A pillar and try pulling on the trim to see if its lose. Spray water around here and see if it enters the vehicle.

 

[jerry2600]

Hi everybody. I have a 2014 Explorer Limited. It had a problem with water leaking through the dome lights. Water was pooling on the driver's side sunroof drain so I unclogged it and now the water drains properly and my roof no longer leaks (I also did it to the other side for good measure). I tested it out by pouring half a gallon of water on the area and it all runs down the drain with no issues now (did this on both sides).

The problem is that the water is now making its way onto the driver's floorboard under the carpet, so the carpet get soaking wet when it rains. I assume there's an issue where the drain is ending up in the wrong place, but I can't find where the drain ends now or where it needs to go.

Any ideas?

 

[peterk9]

Hi everybody. I have a 2014 Explorer Limited. It had a problem with water leaking through the dome lights. Water was pooling on the driver's side sunroof drain so I unclogged it and now the water drains properly and my roof no longer leaks (I also did it to the other side for good measure). I tested it out by pouring half a gallon of water on the area and it all runs down the drain with no issues now (did this on both sides).

The problem is that the water is now making its way onto the driver's floorboard under the carpet, so the carpet get soaking wet when it rains. I assume there's an issue where the drain is ending up in the wrong place, but I can't find where the drain ends now or where it needs to go.

Any ideas?

Your thread was merged with this one found by 'Searching' on "Drain Tubes". See post #4.

Peter

 

[Digitalgp]

I just started having an issue with water dripping from the front map lights on my '15 when it rains. Never had an issue with clogged sunroof drains on any other vehicle I've owned. Do I have to lower my headliner to clear the drains out like I am being told or is there an easier way?

 

[peterk9]

I just started having an issue with water dripping from the front map lights on my '15 when it rains. Never had an issue with clogged sunroof drains on any other vehicle I've owned. Do I have to lower my headliner to clear the drains out like I am being told or is there an easier way?

That actually sounds more like a possible issue with the moonroof seal. Clogged tubes usually result in water pooling in the footwells. In reading post #6, it doesn't appear that you have to remove the headliner to see/access the drain tubes. You could, as suggested, try pouring water in the drain tube area to see if they are in fact clogged.

Peter

 

[Digitalgp]

Did some cleaning of the track, sunroof seal and the roof opening area. With the remnants of nicole coming through seemed to be no leaks

 

[Rich Hill]

I have a '22 Explorer ST and it just started to leak in the passenger side front. I hate sunroofs for this very reason. Thank you to all who suffered before me.

 

[410Fortune]

My 03 sport trax has a bad front passenger moon roof drain
When it’s raining or melting snow we get lots of water coming down passenger side a pillar right off the passenger grab handle and onto the passengers legs
We drive this truck daily and we have lots of rain/ snow this time of years. I tried to clear the drain with air, weed trimmer line and others to no avail. I do not have time to drop the headliner and repair it, I believe the rubber line has probably detached from the sunroof nipple.
A temporary fix I came up with was to plug the hole. Let the water drain out the other 3 ports until I can drop the headliner for a
Proper repair

A plastic cap for a tube of silicon fit snuggly in the hole to block it

 

[peterk9]

I have a '22 Explorer ST and it just started to leak in the passenger side front. I hate sunroofs for this very reason. Thank you to all who suffered before me.

Just a reminder that the diagram shown is for the 5th gen Explorer and not for the 6th gen. I have had moonroofs on my last 8 vehicles and haven't encountered any issues. Wouldn't buy a vehicle without one.

Peter

 

[fordtroubles]

There are FOUR drain locations. The rear gate as described, the two front inner fender wells and down along the driver side rear door.

Ill attached a pic to this post shortly.

Jason

Here is the pic

View attachment 91675

How do you get to the rear drain plugs with a fixed moon roof?

 

[peterk9]

How do you get to the rear drain plugs with a fixed moon roof?

Welcome to the Forum.
By "fixed" moonroof do you mean one that no longer opens? FYI, the member you quoted is no longer here.
I have never checked for the drains so I have no idea how accessible they are.

Peter

 

[texsn95]

How do you get to the rear drain plugs with a fixed moon roof?

There are four 9mm bolts on the inside of each track, retract the shade all the way and look up in there and you will see them. Remove all eight, then retract the front sunroof about a foot, and then press up and forward and the rear roof will scoot forward a bit. You'll see the two other drains in the corners. The bolts are a pain to get rethreaded, so either get creative with some tape so they stay horizontal in the socket, or since they are torx also, get a magnetic torx bit. T25 I think.

 

[Lilflowww]

Hi everyone, I have a 2015 FPIU and it does not have a sunroof. Does it also have the drain tubes as previously discussed?
Only the carpet on the passenger side on the 2nd row goes wet after the rain. it shouldn't come from headliner or anywhere in cabin cuz they are all dry. I think it might come from drains on door panels because it leaks rather I drive it or not. Anywhere I can start checking with? TIA!

 

[peterk9]

The drains are only present on the vehicles that have the moon/sunroofs.

Peter

 

[Steve8316]

Only the carpet on the passenger side on the 2nd row goes wet after the rain.

Have an assistant (or a sprinkler) hose the door down starting at the bottom and working up SLOWLY, while you sit inside & watch for the leak trail. It'll be easier to spot if you remove the trim panels & lift the carpet out of the footwell.