DIY: Checking your water drains

[Synthetik]

I felt that it was time for someone to post some solid information regarding water drains in our cars.
If anyone has other pictures, or additional ones that you feel are important, PM me and I will add them in.

Some common issues that arise from clogged water drains are:
-Water seeping into the driver or passenger sides of the car
-Radiator fans running full speed when the key isn't even in the ignition
**-Solution is not only cleaning your drains, but also replacing a relay fuse in your ECU (Relay #219)

If your drains are clogged, you can purchase some brake wire or weed trimmer line (thanks Nihil) and feed it through.


Video summary of how to check your drains:


EASIEST: Door Drain Locations
Underneath each of the doors you will see punched out holes.



MEDIUM: Sun Roof Drain Locations
The front drains are the easiest, simply open the front doors and locate the drain.


The rear drains are slightly more of a pain. Remove the rear wheel, unscrew the hex bolts holding the wheel liner, peel it back and at the top of the wheel well you'll see the drain.




EASY to PITA: "Engine Bay" Area
It's easier to test the drains than it is to observe them, see the video. To access the area, remove the rubber molding, then the plastic cover. If you drains are clogged, remove the battery and check the drain underneath. If water still stand in the bay, remove the ECU.





Thanks to oldguy for this contribution:

There are two plenum drains. One underneath the ECU box and one underneath the battery box. Both of these drains can be accessed from underneath the car. You don't even have to remove the belly pan but you need a set of ramps. Once underneath look upward from just behind the front axles to where the steering rack runs across. Just behind the steering rack you will see the drains. There is one on the right side of the transmission and one on the left side.
This pic is the one on the drivers side. you can see the hydraulic line to the slave cylinder coming out beside the drain. You can reach up and clear the drain with your finger. The rubber is very flexible.