Bavarian Auto MD helping technicians, diy and vehicle owners diagnose and repair their vehicles. Bavarian Auto MD is an Certified BMW Master Diagnostic technician With over 20 years factory training and 10+ years in European Asian and Domestic Automotive advanced Diagnostics and experimental service training and consultation.
Unfortunately the tube/pipe can also detatch where it joins to the sunroof. ! The tube / pipe seems to shrink as it ages and this possibly causes the seperation and leaks , IMO as a designer myself , it''s also a really poor quality design (un-typical of VW). Of course a crud/dirt blocked water drain up at the sunroof and/or at the forward rubber drip/spider trap/nipple device other end will also cause water backup and eventually leaks. My 2004 MK4 Tdi golf had leaks on both front sides , driver side caused by pipe detatching from the rubber drain nipple device and passenger side had partly detached pipe at the sunroof connection. I added some close fitting push in piping sections to extend the pipe length and fixed the problem that way. I tested after fixing by applying some water at the sunroof wells. Getting hold of the rubber nipple from inside the car is extremely difficult as no room to grip it and not and easy location to shine some light in to see it , better to carefully remove the windscreen wipers ( WD 40 + wait 10 mins to penetrate, tap of hammer, prize off with spanner or puller , hand wiggle/lever it as you pull etc ) and then you can see the nipples , clean them , even try remove them etc. . Removing the trim panels etc is covered in several online videos and isnt too difficult if you dont need to go overboard and remove absolutely everything which was my case. I didnt break any of the small plastic trim retainers when doing the work. I dried out the wet by lifting the carpet and thick under packing padding material and using dessicant, newspaper, hair dryer , time and patience etc . Youre working next to the air bags so perhaps remove battery -ive lead.
To my knowledge USA vehicles require a scan tool to reset the service interval. Drive Control Module > Reinitialize Maintenance is the pathway on an Autel Platform. You can manually change the mileage until next service to reset the maintenance warning dash light.
This is what I am dealing with today on my 2009 Golf Tdi. I couldn't find the exit point for the sunroof drain but now have it from watching. I cleaned out the blockage but now just have the sodden carpet on the driver side to deal with. Remove seat, lift carpet, dry with dehumidifier and treat with mould killer.
On another vid the poster guesses that the nipple closure is to prevent bugs from nesting in the tube. Not a bad assumption. The closure looks to me to be an anti-siphon device, but I can't imagine that water really stands a chance to siphon from the area where the drain terminates. That closure causes too many problems for me. I'm going to cut it off. At this point I figure I know more about the outcome of this drain design than do the engineers that made it. (I'm dead serious.)
from my experience yes, all vehicles with sunroofs will encounter some sort of issue like this if they are not protected from the elements with proper care
Thank you, I'm having the same problem and considering to look at it tomorrow. One question: How can water leak in the foot well if the drain canal is clogged?
If the sunroof drain is clogged and the only issue, the water would travel from the sunroof cassette down the A- pillar and into the footwell. on VW you should also be aware of water leaks from the windshield cowl drains being clogged causing water to flow into the air box into the vehicle
apologies for the late reply, compressed air can cause the drain hose to pop off, if the drain is clear and just to clean air is fine, if it has a bad clog, it will build up pressure and pop off, leading to another leak
I am glad it helped. As a BMW Dealer technician I was always assisting techs on how to diagnose and repair all areas of vehicles and have wanted to branch out online to assist other techs or diy fans all over.
Thank you man. I saw you are from NY! I live in Bergen County NJ I have two VW. 2013 GOLF and 2010 JETTA. Both have sunroof and have leakage inside. It drive me crazy everytime when is raining! Maybe we can meet sometimes if you would like to assist to fix these issues?! :) Thanks
I only seem to get water seeping in through the seam on the driver's side A pillar - could this just be from the sunroof drain? The dealer said they cleaned the drains, but quoted me $4,400 to actually fix the leak (completely replace the sunroof frame and replace the headliner)
its possible the sunroof drain tube is not securing tio the drain, and dripping down the a piller, also possible is a bad windshield replacement sealant application.
Is there 2 drain holes at the rear of the sun roof?i have water coming in my back left passenegers door at the bottom and it leaks onto the floor mat.could it be the rear drain seal blocked in the sun roof
yes, they go down along the rear quarter and out into the rear wheel wells, you will have to remove the wheels and covers to view or access if you don't have a lift
@@bavarianautomd5491 yes i found them and poured water slowly into all 4 drain holes for sun roof all free as a bird,water ran out easily on all 4 drain holes
either the door sound barrier behind the door panel is leaking or the rain gutter at the lower end of the windshield is clogged , you will have to remove the wipers and trim to access
lol Happy to be of assistance i am working on my speaking and vocabulary so i hope the videos will improve in the near future =, please subscribe and share
same. and im glad he said not to use an air hose. Ive read on some forums that the hoses can disconnect in the pillar columns and create more headaches.
