Roof drains

[Wagonwheal]

Managed to get it off. Bit of minor surgery.
Have unblocked the pipe by blowing down it as blockage lower down.
Upper pipe still attached so not exactly sure where the water is coming from.
Will leave for a bit and hopefully no more water in the footwell
Amazing vw build quality definitely a draw back when taking things apart

 

[KGCali]

Managed to get it off. Bit of minor surgery.
Have unblocked the pipe by blowing down it as blockage lower down.
Upper pipe still attached so not exactly sure where the water is coming from.
Will leave for a bit and hopefully no more water in the footwell
Amazing vw build quality definitely a draw back when taking things apart

View attachment 146252

Check the pipe joint at the very top of the foot well as per my second photo

 

[sidepod]

I think people misunderstand what’s going on here?
The photos clearly shown the tube at the top has an inside diameter approximately 3-4 times that of the inlet hole in the roof gullies.
In other words, if any debris is small enough to make it through the inlet then it’s unlikely to get stuck in the much larger tube.

I maintain the blockage is created at the bottom angled grommets by sediment washed down the tube
Every time I clear mine, it’s with a bendy cable tie inserted from the bottom in the cavity below the windscreen. I’ve never had any success poking around up top other than keeping the area clean.

 

[TripleBee]

Managed to get it off. Bit of minor surgery.
Have unblocked the pipe by blowing down it as blockage lower down.
Upper pipe still attached so not exactly sure where the water is coming from.
Will leave for a bit and hopefully no more water in the footwell
Amazing vw build quality definitely a draw back when taking things apart

View attachment 146252

You will have to follow the brown pipe all the way up to the top. I dislodged the top connection too one time while poking around to unblock the drain.

 

[pchmlk]

I think people misunderstand what’s going on here?
The photos clearly shown the tube at the top has an inside diameter approximately 3-4 times that of the inlet hole in the roof gullies.
In other words, if any debris is small enough to make it through the inlet then it’s unlikely to get stuck in the much larger tube.

I maintain the blockage is created at the bottom angled grommets by sediment washed down the tube
Every time I clear mine, it’s with a bendy cable tie inserted from the bottom in the cavity below the windscreen. I’ve never had any success poking around up top other than keeping the area clean.

When l accessed those I had to remove the wipers and the plastic cover to access the scuttle. Tell me there’s an easier way?

 

[sidepod]

When l accessed those I had to remove the wipers and the plastic cover to access the scuttle. Tell me there’s an easier way?

Nope. That’s the way to do it. No biggy once you’ve done it a few times. 20-mins.

 

[KGCali]

When l accessed those I had to remove the wipers and the plastic cover to access the scuttle. Tell me there’s an easier way?

Once the drains and lower grommets under the scuttle panel are running clean just clean out the roof channels and flush your front roof drains regularly, every three months, with slightly soapy water ,one drop of soap per 200ml, and spray the grommets with silicone then you should never need to remove the scuttle panel unless its full of leaf debris. I've been doing this for the last six years and only had the scuttle panel off once.

 

[KGCali]

Managed to get it off. Bit of minor surgery.
Have unblocked the pipe by blowing down it as blockage lower down.
Upper pipe still attached so not exactly sure where the water is coming from.
Will leave for a bit and hopefully no more water in the footwell
Amazing vw build quality definitely a draw back when taking things apart

If the front drains aren't cleaned regularly then debris can build up behind the scuttle panel grommet and block them, when it rains water can't flow out of the grommet flaps so it builds up in the pipe and will overflow from the pipe join high up in the footwell causing wet carpets. To resolve this remove the scuttle panel and use a long screwdriver or cable tie to lightly insert into the grommet slits while flushing water down the drain hole. You should hear a satisfying glug as the water flushes out the debris. Clean out any debris under the scuttle panel, spray the grommet with silicone spray and refit the scuttle then you should only have to flush the front roof drains every three months to avoid future blockages.

 

[sidepod]

Halfords do a sweet little wiper removal puller. Looks a bit cheap buts it works great.
First time the wipers will put up a fight but once off, a bit of lube of choice when refitting and they’ll come off easy next time. Obvs note/mark where the wipers sit on the screen before removing.

 

[TripleBee]

When l accessed those I had to remove the wipers and the plastic cover to access the scuttle. Tell me there’s an easier way?

There is a much easier way.
You can remove the 2 black metal plates under the plastic trim.
Remove the rubber seal, open a gap between the scuttle and plastic trim, undo the torx 30 bolt on the inside, remove the other one on the outside, take out the black metal plate and you have clear access to the grommets.


I cout open the grommets completely. Now, debris can't close the flaps, leaving the gap completely open to let the water run freely out.
When there is debris at the top, just clean it out, flush the tube through with a syringe, and it's good again for a few weeks/months.

 

[KGCali]

There is a much easier way.
You can remove the 2 black metal plates under the plastic trim.
Remove the rubber seal, open a gap between the scuttle and plastic trim, undo the torx 30 bolt on the inside, remove the other one on the outside, take out the black metal plate and you have clear access to the grommets.View attachment 146273
View attachment 146274

I cout open the grommets completely. Now, debris can't close the flaps, leaving the gap completely open to let the water run freely out.
When there is debris at the top, just clean it out, flush the tube through with a syringe, and it's good again for a few weeks/months.

That's what I do, good to warm the plastic scuttle panel to make it more flexible or choose a hot day! I haven't cut the grommet, just flush regularly.

 

[Wagonwheal]

Thanks all. Mine is definitely draining now, but agree likely silted at the bottom. I disconnected the pipe at the top under the headlining and had to puff pretty hard the clear.
Unfortunately it is still leaking!
Awaiting a borascope off Amazon to see what I have done.
Any bright ideas how to access the very top of the drainage whole internally? Appears encased in a lot of metal. Hopefully can fix with rubber table and/or sealant??

 

[KGCali]

Thanks all. Mine is definitely draining now, but agree likely silted at the bottom. I disconnected the pipe at the top under the headlining and had to puff pretty hard the clear.
Unfortunately it is still leaking!
Awaiting a borascope off Amazon to see what I have done.
Any bright ideas how to access the very top of the drainage whole internally? Appears encased in a lot of metal. Hopefully can fix with rubber table and/or sealant??

Does it only leak when you poor water down the drain hole, just checking the water is not getting in anywhere else.
Also check the grommet under the scuttle panel hasn't been unseated by your excessive puff!
You should be able to see the middle pipe join using a torch and pulling back the carpet.
Have you had the front roof cowl replaced due to corrosion, if so the sealant around the cowl can crack and leak.

 

[Wagonwheal]

Looks like it’s coming from pipe connection, looks like hole in photo.
Don’t think it is off ended.
Was just going to apply some sealant.
Can’t see how they accessed it to apply in first place so going to just fire it in?
Unless anyone else has done before?

 

[KGCali]

Looks like it’s coming from pipe connection, looks like hole in photo.
Don’t think it is off ended.
Was just going to apply some sealant.
Can’t see how they accessed it to apply in first place so going to just fire it in?
Unless anyone else has done before?

View attachment 146286

Looks like it’s coming from pipe connection, looks like hole in photo.
Don’t think it is off ended.
Was just going to apply some sealant.
Can’t see how they accessed it to apply in first place so going to just fire it in?
Unless anyone else has done before?

View attachment 146286

That looks a mess, you could buy a new bent pipe from VW - Post in thread 'Roof Drain Right Angle Boot' https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/roof-drain-right-angle-boot.43249/post-560530
That would tidy that up but removing it may cause damage to the roof grommet (which the roof oil lines pass through to the pump) as these grommets can also split and leak but are hard to buy and fit so worth a check on the drain channel grommet for splits from the outside and reseal it inside and out, good luck!

 

[Wagonwheal]

Thanks for your help.
I’ve just put a whole load of sealant over the hole. Can reinforce if necessary but don’t want to block the pipe.
Will try the drain tomorrow.
Out of interest can we manage without the drain at all?
May be better than having water pouring into the footwell?

 

[KGCali]

The sealant should be fine, just check the outside grommet edges around the drain hole and apply a little sealant being careful not to block the drain hole.

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks for your help.
I’ve just put a whole load of sealant over the hole. Can reinforce if necessary but don’t want to block the pipe.
Will try the drain tomorrow.
Out of interest can we manage without the drain at all?
May be better than having water pouring into the footwell?

Without the drain water will pool and overflow onto the roof canvas.
If you reseal the grommet below the Hydraulic lines, place a piece of plastic tube or a straw into the opening. Apply sealant around grommet and then remove plastic tube/straw by turning and pulling out carefully so sealant doesn't block drainage hole. Don't wait until sealant has set.

 

[Wagonwheal]

Thanks.
Still leaking!
Has improved with internal sealant but not fully settled. Having difficulty getting sealant into the space without fully removing the headlining.
Great idea about the straw. Been too wet to seal the external bit yet. Am I sealing around the drain whole or the yellow edge marked in photo higher up the thread or both?

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks.
Still leaking!
Has improved with internal sealant but not fully settled. Having difficulty getting sealant into the space without fully removing the headlining.
Great idea about the straw. Been too wet to seal the external bit yet. Am I sealing around the drain whole or the yellow edge marked in photo higher up the thread or both?

As long as you keep the drainage hole clear then seal the whole lot as marked.

 

[ash]

You may not get enough pressure with the baster, worth purchasing a 100ml syringe and clean the drains every time you wash the Cali
cobee Plastic Syringe with Tube 100 ml Large Plastic Syringe with 130cm Hose Tube Large Plastic Measuring Syringe for Feeding Watering Nutrient Measuring Scientific Labs Glue Applicator Experiments

Cobee Large Plastic Syringe with 130cm Hose Tube - 100ml Measuring Syringe for Feeding, Watering, Nutrient Measuring, Scientific Labs & Glue Applicator Experiments : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

Cobee Large Plastic Syringe with 130cm Hose Tube - 100ml Measuring Syringe for Feeding, Watering, Nutrient Measuring, Scientific Labs & Glue Applicator Experiments : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

www.amazon.co.uk

I have a blocked roof drain but the advert's rather put me off trying to sort it out

 

[Wagonwheal]

As long as you keep the drainage hole clear then seal the whole lot as marked.

Thanks