Sunroof drain hoses
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 360
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From: Northern NJ, USA
2018 E300 4Matic Sport
Sunroof drain hoses
Hello all, I am sure many of you know about this problem. A friend told me that the sunroof drain hoses are clogged. Why? He's seen it before, and as a result I am finding water on the floor of the passenger side floor (and a bit on the driver's side door). I called the local dealer, he agreed, and he said it's a common problem, so without looking at it, he's pretty sure it's clogged.
Question for everyone...should this fix be covered by warranty? Thanks in advance.
Question for everyone...should this fix be covered by warranty? Thanks in advance.
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Joined: Mar 2021
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Merc. S-213 220d / Jag XJ-40 / Jag X-Type Estate
Interesting topic indeed.
No probs so far but would be good to know where those drains are. Any scheme avail?
Had this issue in my former Audi and it is better to prevent with some pre-cleaning.
Cheers,
No probs so far but would be good to know where those drains are. Any scheme avail?
Had this issue in my former Audi and it is better to prevent with some pre-cleaning.
Cheers,
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 360
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From: Northern NJ, USA
2018 E300 4Matic Sport
Interesting. I guess I didn't see it as simply cleaning, as much as I see they are not designed to clog and cause water to leak into the car. Yes, they do, and it's circumstantial, but I wasn't sure about this. Thanks.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2021
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From: Northern NJ, USA
2018 E300 4Matic Sport
Called the dealer...Price quote is $687! One hour to diagnose and then 2 hours to remove the fender liners and clear any blockage/obstruction. How lovely!
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2008 E350, 2012 ML350, 2014 E350, 2015 ML350
.. There are plenty of video in YouTube for all the Benz classes. ALL use the same systemTake some time, do it at home, and take your significant other for a nice dinner.
NOTE: do NOT use compressed air, it can disconnect the drain internally if heavily clogged and $687 will be the tip for the mechanic.
Last edited by JCM_MB; Feb 20, 2024 at 02:29 PM.
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From: New York
2018 E43
Haven't run into this yet in in e43 but in previous cars I've ran a thick string trimmer line down each line to clean them out. Usually there is a drain at each corner of the sunroof frame you can access from above.
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You can run the string both ways, from the top or from below.
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2019 E300
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2015 ML350+2025 E350
Has anyone ever tried computer / keyboard compressed air? Or even a compressor set to a very low pressure.
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From: Hermosa Beach, California
2018 E400 Coupe
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How much wider you need it to be? Perhaps you are looking at the wrong place?
Did you watch the videos?
I can fit a narrow pencil through it
Did you watch the videos?
I can fit a narrow pencil through it
Last edited by JCM_MB; Feb 24, 2024 at 12:35 PM.
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From: Hermosa Beach, California
2018 E400 Coupe
Yeah, i did, and neither of them include anything about running a string down the narrow, 4- to 5-foot long plastic tube that runs from the sunroof through the front roof support and out the bottom of the car, where it drains. I can't image any way to get long piece of limp string down that tube from its top and out its bottom. Of course, it would be a very useful tool if you can do it, so please explain how. Thanks. .
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Yeah, i did, and neither of them include anything about running a string down the narrow, 4- to 5-foot long plastic tube that runs from the sunroof through the front roof support and out the bottom of the car, where it drains. I can't image any way to get long piece of limp string down that tube from its top and out its bottom. Of course, it would be a very useful tool if you can do it, so please explain how. Thanks. .
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From: Hermosa Beach, California
2018 E400 Coupe
Thanks, very helpful!
However, what is used in the video is not “string“ is as I understand the term (i.e., made of cotton or jute, etc., thin and very limp so it can be tied in knots).
Rather, it’s a long, thin piece of flexible plastic such as that used in Weed Eaters and other trimmers, obviously stiff enough to push down the long drain tube. Available on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/28fu49lp
Doug Collins
Hermosa Beach, CA
However, what is used in the video is not “string“ is as I understand the term (i.e., made of cotton or jute, etc., thin and very limp so it can be tied in knots).
Rather, it’s a long, thin piece of flexible plastic such as that used in Weed Eaters and other trimmers, obviously stiff enough to push down the long drain tube. Available on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/28fu49lp
Doug Collins
Hermosa Beach, CA
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2017 M-B E400 4Matic Wagon AMG-Line
FWIW, VW and Audi owners filed a class action lawsuit and won.
For this very same problem.
VW Website
For this very same problem.
VW Website
