- 11/10/2014
- 1 Min Read
- By: Chris Stovall
How to Clean & Modify Sunroof Drains on an Audi A6 (C5)
Winter is upon us again, and that means rain. If you're lucky enough to own a Volkswagen or Audi with a sunroof, you could be looking at a flooded interior if your sunroof drains aren't working correctly. Fortunately, these drains are easy to service, and in my experience, are the major source of flooding. Once the sunroof drains are modified, they will allow water to flow correctly, and flooding will be a thing of the past.
Illustration of the sunroof drains on a typical VW
The sunroof drains I'll be talking about are the most common style, and can be found in most Audis and Volkswagens without a panoramic sunroof. This guide was created on the C5 A6 platform. In the front, the sunroof drains flow out before the front door, directly on top of the hinge. In the rear, they flow out either above the rear tires or behind the rear bumper. They come from the factory with a little rubber tip, and over time, dirt collects in the tip and blocks the flow of water. The water backs up and spills into the car, typically behind the glovebox and in the spare tire well.
Black plastic lip thing. Pour water in the front corner and watch for flow
To check your sunroof drains, first open your sunroof fully. Pour water in the front, in the corners where the black plastic lip/spoiler thing is, and check for flow at the front door hinges. You don't need to pour a lot of water, maybe a quarter cup. Make sure to check both sides, and don't use a garden hose!
Pour water on the outer track. Pouring it on the inner track will just get it in the car or wash out the lubrication for the sunroof
To check the rears, lift the front end of the car up slightly, or park on an incline, and pour water on the outer track of the sunroof. Again, pour slowly, and don't use too much water. If no water comes out after about thirty seconds, or you have a very slow trickle, they're probably clogged. Check both sides, and fix both sides, even if only one side is restricted.
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A simple modification to the ends of the sunroof drains will allow water to drain out. Just cut the end off, and you're good to go. The fronts are very straightforward, but the rears usually require removal of the fender liners.
First, remove the rear tires. Next, remove all the T25 Torx screws and 10 mm nuts if there are any. Make sure you remember where the screws go – some are different sizes. Pull the fender liner around the brake hose and rear shock, and it should come out with minimal struggle. The sunroof drain is at the top of the wheel well, as shown. Cut the tip off and be careful not to get rained on. Installation is reverse of removal for the fender liner, just be sure to get it lined up and positioned correctly.
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After modifying the ends of the drains, you should be good. Be sure to check for flow afterwards in order to confirm your repairs, and enjoy dry floors and no musty smell all winter.
About the Author: Chris Stovall
Chris is a journeyman mechanic from Berkeley, California, specializing in late model Volkswagens and Audis. A glutton for punishment, his spare time is spent rebuilding every component of his '83 Rabbit GTI.
