2014 Model S clogged sunroof drain

[vashwood]

Noticed a sunroof leak the other day when parked nose down on my incline driveway. Found out my front driver side drain plug is clogged. I’ve tried to use a drain cleaning tool on from Amazon and a plastic simmer cord but they both only go in about an inch and stops. I also tried twisting as well as trying different angles? It does the same thing in the passenger side that isn’t clogged.

I’ve also tried some canned compressed air with no avail.

I got a little trickles one time with some soapy warm water, but I haven’t been able to replicate it. Anyone else have a suggestion on how to get this thing unclogged without calling the service center?

 

[Gixx1300R]

An air compressor at 100psi

 

[Gixx1300R]

 

[vashwood]

Thanks! I just picked up one of these to try the air compressor with. Will probably start at at a lower PSI and work up to 100psi if needed.

Air Blow Gun with Extensions, 5-Piece

Amazing deals on this 5Pc Air Blow Gun With Extensions at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

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[Gixx1300R]

pour a cup of water in the drain before using the air compressor, it will help

 

[KalJoMoS]

I’ve tried to use a drain cleaning tool on from Amazon and a plastic simmer cord but they both only go in about an inch and stops. I also tried twisting as well as trying different angles? It does the same thing in the passenger side that isn’t clogged.
Anyone else have a suggestion on how to get this thing unclogged without calling the service center?

That’s because the draining tube has 90 degree angle at front (by the way there are rear draining tubes as well) and it’s wise not to use high pressure at once. You might get that hose disconnected from the roof part, not to worry as it’s fairly easy to fix this by removing the A-pillar cabin panel. See photo:

 

[Wim_V]

I had a little piece of wood clogging my drain, so I could not push it through. I lowered the roof liner to remove and clean the drain. Pretty easy to do:

Knutselen aan mijn S 85 '13

Deze week was ik ook aan de beurt: mijn eerste defecte deurgreep. Ik had gelukkig al een setje van Aliexpress uit voorzorg klaarliggen :) De plastic afscherming lag onderin de deur. Deze was eerder al eens losgekomen en gegrepen door het raammechanisme. Daarom wat extra vastgeplakt met...

teslamotorsclub.com

 

[KalJoMoS]

I have been a bit lucky with the draining on my car, just had to remove some muck to get them going. Good to see @Wim_V that same tape on the handle fix! I just forgot to make my photos…

 

[vashwood]

Thanks! Good to know that if I have to it’s easy to access the tube by removing the A pillar.

 

[vashwood]

An air compressor at 100psi

pour a cup of water in the drain before using the air compressor, it will help

Thanks for the tip! I upped the compressor regulator starting from 25psi and finally 75psi cleared the drain!

 

[Gixx1300R]

Thanks for the tip! I upped the compressor regulator starting from 25psi and finally 75psi cleared the drain!

you are welcome

 

[SouterH]

I had a little piece of wood clogging my drain, so I could not push it through. I lowered the roof liner to remove and clean the drain. Pretty easy to do:

Knutselen aan mijn S 85 '13

Deze week was ik ook aan de beurt: mijn eerste defecte deurgreep. Ik had gelukkig al een setje van Aliexpress uit voorzorg klaarliggen :) De plastic afscherming lag onderin de deur. Deze was eerder al eens losgekomen en gegrepen door het raammechanisme. Daarom wat extra vastgeplakt met...

teslamotorsclub.com

 

[SouterH]

I’ve just taken the sill trims off and found the ends of the drains just lying there. If they weren’t clogged they would just drain on top of the sill and into the foot tray. I assume this is wrong and they should be threaded into the door pillar?

 

[KalJoMoS]

So the drain tubes on your car are not attached like you see in this post?

 

[livesmith]

I’ve just taken the sill trims off and found the ends of the drains just lying there. If they weren’t clogged they would just drain on top of the sill and into the foot tray. I assume this is wrong and they should be threaded into the door pillar?

Yeah I think I bumped my rear one a couple weeks ago when hooking up trailer wiring. And it came off. Seems those hoses are just sitting on the drains. Not much holding them on at all.

 

[SouterH]

So the drain tubes on your car are not attached like you see in this post?

I only took off the door sill cover. The outlet of the black coloured flexible tube is just lying on top of the sill. If that is the same bit then any water draining will just lie in the floor and soak the carpets. Sorry, I didn’t take a photo

 

[KalJoMoS]

I saw that tube end as well when I had a look under the sill and behind the side carpet section. I believe that is different than the roof rail draining tube. I think this is maybe for draining something inside, behind the dashboard. Windshield? You can test your roof rail draining by pouring water into the tubes at front to see if the water drips behind the front wheel.