Sunroof drain

Tiny
SALBAITIS
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 81,000 MILES
My sunroof which drains from 2 small ports. It drains down 2 tubes, left and right, and ends up in a cavity in the rocker panel. The cavity has sound deadening material which act like a sponge. How is this water channeled out? Currently it is not draining outside, but is channeled into the passenger compartment. Is there a simple fix (drilling a hole)? Help!
Thursday, April 28th, 2011 AT 9:58 PM

20 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Its suppose to drain out of the bottom of the body of the car. Did the hose come off the duckbill that fits into the bottom of the car?Is water draining from the top down or only at the bottom side of the hose?
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Thursday, April 28th, 2011 AT 10:21 PM
Tiny
SALBAITIS
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Thank you for your response. It drains at the bottom. It doesn't appear to be attached to anything inside the rocker panel. AND a small amount in fact does drip from what I assume is a drain hole. What "duckbill" are you referring to? Is this a fitting the tube should be connected to?
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Thursday, April 28th, 2011 AT 10:32 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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If the hose isn't attached to anything that explain all the water in your rock panel area. There should be a duck bill valve fitted into the body with a sleeve sticking up and the hose fits into it.
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Thursday, April 28th, 2011 AT 10:36 PM
Tiny
SALBAITIS
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Ahh! That makes sense. How do I fix it. Both driver and passenger side are not connected to anything. Inside the rocker panel, the sound insulation is soaked and I cannot see this duck bill. Any suggestions on fixing it?
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Thursday, April 28th, 2011 AT 10:45 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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That's strange all the gm drain hoses I have seen all connect to a duct bill valve that pass threw the body of the car or you would flood out the inside.I have been trying to find a diagram and haven't been able too yet. I am still trying though. The manual doesn't mention any fitting )duckbill) it just states to be sure the drain hose is outside the rocker panel support to prevent drainage into the vehicle

See the diagram below
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Saturday, April 30th, 2011 AT 6:45 PM
Tiny
ARBOR49503
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  • 1 POST
  • 2005 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
I noticed my carpet was wet just below the parking brake in the corner on the driver side and was also wet on the passenger front corner by the door side. I have a sunroof and noticed that it was wet on the inside of the frame but has no sign of wetness showing on the around the frame inside the car. Could this be a drainage problem or will I need new seals and how much would that cost?
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Friday, October 26th, 2018 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
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One of the best ways to check the drain flow of the sunroof, is with it fully open, pour water from a bottle into the front corners. If the front tubes are flowing, you should see the water drain from the corresponding sides, probably just to the rear of the front tires. If the water pools in the sunroof tray, it is not draining out the front. You can have success clearing them with compressed air, but you can also blow them off of the frame, and they would need reattached or the water leak will continue. To check the rear drains, use the same procedure, but the front has to be higher in profile, to encourage the water to run to the rear. Be careful as you do this, the drains are only going to flow so fast, and with too much water introduced you can overwhelm it's capability.
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Friday, October 26th, 2018 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DONNAB
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  • 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
My sunroof vents up but will not open
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Friday, October 26th, 2018 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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There is a motor in the sunroof that may be bad. You need to remove the headliner and verify voltage.

Roy
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Friday, October 26th, 2018 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ILOVEROCKNROLL007
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  • 5 POSTS
  • 2006 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
  • 150,000 MILES
Driver's and passenger floorboards are wet. I've already unclogged the air box drain twice and it still leaks. How do I fix this?

I've already cleared the drain and it continues to leak. What do I do?

Went underneath car on passenger side behind firewall and used a wire to stick in it and also used a vacuum to suck out anything. Is there another way?

VERY sure it isn't coolant. Both passenger and driver's side are wet, no sweet smell, it's pure water. Yes, water did come out when it was first cleared and the second time it was cleared but the next day, it was leaking again.

Where is the heater/ac case located?
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Friday, October 26th, 2018 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Under the dash. Very labor intensive job. Ac has to be broken down along with the cooling system. It is about an 8 hour job plus the ac evac and charge.

Roy
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Friday, October 26th, 2018 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ILOVEROCKNROLL007
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Lovely. Thank you so much for your help. I finally have an answer :)
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Friday, October 26th, 2018 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Sometimes we need as much info as we can before being able to give you the correct answer. Thanks for your patience

Roy
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Friday, October 26th, 2018 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ILOVEROCKNROLL007
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One more question. Can I unbolt the drain and clear it that way?
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Friday, October 26th, 2018 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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You have cleared it 2 times and has not done the job. Removing the drain will allow little acess to all the debris. Keep trying if you want but I think you still may have to remove the case

Roy
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Friday, October 26th, 2018 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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He is saying to take apart the ac box I have a better suggestion though. They sell a foaming ac evap cleaner you spray half the can in the ac vent wait ten mins then spray the other half of the can in the ac drain.
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Friday, October 26th, 2018 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ILOVEROCKNROLL007
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Thanks, i'll try anything before I have to fork over all kinds of $$$
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Friday, October 26th, 2018 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Make sure the hose on the can has a tapered tip.
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Friday, October 26th, 2018 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BILHAR5
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Are you sure that is where the leak is coming from, Buick Rendevous's are notorious for leaking from the Moon Roof drain.
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Friday, October 26th, 2018 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Hey guys,

Pull the carpet back on the passengers side, there is a tube that transfers the water from the evaporator to the firewall that falls off and lets the water drain into the car.

Please let us know happens so it will help others.

Best, Ken
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Friday, October 26th, 2018 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)

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