Sunroof Drains and wet floors

**Kevin C** · 10-23-2022 08:23 PM

I know this has been beat to death and everyone knows to keep up on the drains to prevent water from getting in the interior but I noticed something on mine I thought was worth mentioning. We had a super dry summer and it seems like the drains never saw water for several months. Friday of last week the rains finally showed up. At the end of the day when I headed home I could hear running water as I drove off, as in lots of running water. My car had developed a water feature behind the glovebox, it was like a small torrent. FYI A burbling brook in the footwell is not a soothing sound...

In the morning I had parked on a grade with slight slope to the passenger side. The rear left drain stopped working and because of the angle the car was parked at, the back corner of the tray around the sunroof filled up. As I drove off the water shifted forward and came down the front pillar appearing behind the glove box and down the carpeting.

Point 1: It only takes one non functioning drain to cause a big problem.

Point #2: I pulled the rear fender liners and inspected. My rear drains were not clogged with any debris. The cause? The right side rubber nipple was molded with both lips touching and no gap, over the months of sitting they got stuck together. The left nipple has a nice gap and was working fine. I had to use a small tool and force them apart, at that point the line emptied. I'm not sure how they bonded together so well.

The fix was to nip a small V in the tip so that no matter what there is a leakage path. I also lubed it with some silglide to keep them from sticking. I ran Weed Wacker line in all four vents to be sure, hit them with compressed air and rinsed them out with 80% IPA.

Ready for some more rain.

**walky_talky20** · 10-24-2022 10:23 AM

Did you pull the door sill and carpet up to peek how much moisture was under there? The carpets on these things can hold literal gallons of water before the carpet even feels damp on the top.

**Kevin C** · 10-24-2022 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by walky_talky20

Did you pull the door sill and carpet up to peek how much moisture was under there? The carpets on these things can hold literal gallons of water before the carpet even feels damp on the top.

I have actively ignoring that there could be trapped water. I left it in the garage over the weekend with the windows down. So far no fogging like I have a moisture problem but yea, I should take a look. Before the Audi I had a B5 Passat that had a leaky air filter vent. The amount of water it held was impressive and it was almost impossible to get that car dried out. I eventually pulled the seats and carpets and left it in a heated garage for several days.

**walky_talky20** · 10-25-2022 09:39 AM

Yeah, it is a fairly annoying amount of work to even check the status under the carpet. But likely more annoying to deal with corroded harness connectors and modules if things stay wet for too long.

The design that Audi went with seems overly predisposed for water issues. HVAC inlet right at the base of the windshield? What? False firewall area that can easily "fill up" and dump water through various openings to the interior. Why? Sunroof drains aside, other cars do not have these sorts of design elements.

**Gin+** · 10-27-2022 06:53 AM

I have to be careful where I park when its raining. If I park on an incline and it pours I can expect a damp front passenger foot well. I assume its something to do with the fresh air intake on the firewall but I just can't seem to come to terms with spending the time to fix it properly.

**walky_talky20** · 10-27-2022 10:09 AM

Clean out the 2 drains under the battery tray. The one on the drivers side you can usually get to, just sneak your hand in there. It's under the brake reservoir. The other one is actually under the battery tray, so you kind of have to remove the battery. But maybe some aggressive hose sprayer action could get things moving. Depends on how much junk has collected down there.

**old guy** · 10-27-2022 10:47 AM

If the engine is cold you can work your hand/arm up underneath the plenum drain under the battery. Stick your finger up into the drain and you will know right away if it is clogged.

**walky_talky20** · 10-27-2022 11:44 AM

^Excellent Tip!

I hadn't considered coming in from the bottom.

**old guy** · 10-27-2022 12:16 PM

I just figured that one out a year or so ago. I had been reaching up from underneath the car to clear them and it dawned on me that I may be able to reach both drains from underneath the hood.

The one underneath the brake booster is pretty easy. The one under the battery requires a bit of twisting and turning, but definitely doable. Don't try it on a warm engine. The cat holds heat for quite awhile. (Ask me how I know:-(

**Kevin C** · 11-06-2022 09:17 PM

A quick follow up. I pulled the car into the garage this weekend to see how much water was left. I pulled up the carpets on the passenger side. While there were no puddles, the carpet and padding were still pretty wet. It does seem that once its wet under the carpets its not going to dry out on its own (unless its mid summer). I pulled the carpets partially (seats still in) up and put a couple of 12V computer pancake fans into the edge by the door and let them blow air under the carpets. The fans side intakes and exhaust lets them easily get air into the footwells. Its been raining like crazy (like its November in Oregon). That seems to be drying things out pretty quickly.

https://www.officedepot.com/a/produc...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

**Puddin Tane** · 11-07-2022 02:08 PM

This thread prompted me to service the battery tray drains on my shitbox. I thought I'd fill in some details for other noobs to this procedure.

The driver side drain under the brake booster is pretty accessible from the engine compartment, per OG, especially if you dismount the coolant reservoir, unplug its sensor connector, and swing the reservoir out of the way (no need to disconnect hoses). Feeling around under the battery tray, on the "upside-down shelf" portion underneath it, you first come to the steering rack, which feels like what it is-- a hydraulic ram with fluid lines plumbed into it. Further back, behind the rack, you can feel soft rubber flaps surrounding a hole. That's the drain. Perverts will think the feel of the thing suggests a woman's naughty bits.
IMG_1253.jpg What she'd look like if you could see 'er. Fingering this whore brings out lots of groady muck (be glad it's only your finger).

As for reaching the passenger side drain this way, Either OG's arm is way skinnier than mine or he's done more deletes than I have. Pulling the battery seems like less hassle than uninstalling heat shields to make more room (on the slim chance that would even work).
IMG_1254.jpg That's the passenger side drain peeking out from under the battery half-shelf. Pulling the battery is the only good way to get at it from inside the battery tray, which also provides good access to the driver side drain from above, seen here hiding directly under the back of the brake booster.
IMG_1255.jpg Rotate the image CW. Couldn't make it load right.

If you're pulling the battery anyway, may as well just finger that whore from above...

BTW, these "naughty bits" are over-engineered grommets that make the drains much more likely to plug up. They just pull right out like any regular grommet, making the drains ten times bigger. Does anyone know of a good reason not to just toss them? Then you'd never have to worry about the drains plugging again.

**JRYtheS4** · 11-07-2022 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by Puddin Tane

This thread prompted me to service the battery tray drains on my shitbox. I thought I'd fill in some details for other noobs to this procedure.

The driver side drain under the brake booster is pretty accessible from the engine compartment, per OG, especially if you dismount the coolant reservoir, unplug its sensor connector, and swing the reservoir out of the way (no need to disconnect hoses). Feeling around under the battery tray, on the "upside-down shelf" portion underneath it, you first come to the steering rack, which feels like what it is-- a hydraulic ram with fluid lines plumbed into it. Further back, behind the rack, you can feel soft rubber flaps surrounding a hole. That's the drain. Perverts will think the feel of the thing suggests a woman's naughty bits.
IMG_1253.jpg What she'd look like if you could see 'er. Fingering this whore brings out lots of groady muck (be glad it's only your finger).

As for reaching the passenger side drain this way, Either OG's arm is way skinnier than mine or he's done more deletes than I have. Pulling the battery seems like less hassle than uninstalling heat shields to make more room (on the slim chance that would even work).
IMG_1254.jpg That's the passenger side drain peeking out from under the battery half-shelf. Pulling the battery is the only good way to get at it from inside the battery tray, which also provides good access to the driver side drain from above, seen here hiding directly under the back of the brake booster.
IMG_1255.jpg Rotate the image CW. Couldn't make it load right.

If you're pulling the battery anyway, may as well just finger that whore from above...

BTW, these "naughty bits" are over-engineered grommets that make the drains much more likely to plug up. They just pull right out like any regular grommet, making the drains ten times bigger. Does anyone know of a good reason not to just toss them? Then you'd never have to worry about the drains plugging again.

Mice.

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using Audizine Forum mobile app

**old guy** · 11-07-2022 02:56 PM

LOL!!! You just made me go out and stick my arm up underneath the battery drain to show you how it's done ;-)

The purpose of the flapper drains is to let water out while also sealing the plenum from unwanted engine vapors.

**JRYtheS4** · 11-07-2022 03:13 PM

Hehe I thought they were somewhere on the underside. It looks anti mouse to me!

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using Audizine Forum mobile app

**Kevin C** · 11-07-2022 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by Puddin Tane

This thread prompted me to service the battery tray drains on my shitbox. I thought I'd fill in some details for other noobs to this procedure.

The driver side drain under the brake booster is pretty accessible from the engine compartment, per OG, especially if you dismount the coolant reservoir, unplug its sensor connector, and swing the reservoir out of the way (no need to disconnect hoses). Feeling around under the battery tray, on the "upside-down shelf" portion underneath it, you first come to the steering rack, which feels like what it is-- a hydraulic ram with fluid lines plumbed into it. Further back, behind the rack, you can feel soft rubber flaps surrounding a hole. That's the drain. Perverts will think the feel of the thing suggests a woman's naughty bits.
IMG_1253.jpg What she'd look like if you could see 'er. Fingering this whore brings out lots of groady muck (be glad it's only your finger).

As for reaching the passenger side drain this way, Either OG's arm is way skinnier than mine or he's done more deletes than I have. Pulling the battery seems like less hassle than uninstalling heat shields to make more room (on the slim chance that would even work).
IMG_1254.jpg That's the passenger side drain peeking out from under the battery half-shelf. Pulling the battery is the only good way to get at it from inside the battery tray, which also provides good access to the driver side drain from above, seen here hiding directly under the back of the brake booster.
IMG_1255.jpg Rotate the image CW. Couldn't make it load right.

If you're pulling the battery anyway, may as well just finger that whore from above...

BTW, these "naughty bits" are over-engineered grommets that make the drains much more likely to plug up. They just pull right out like any regular grommet, making the drains ten times bigger. Does anyone know of a good reason not to just toss them? Then you'd never have to worry about the drains plugging again.

Mine has not had them for at least the past 8 years. I think the dealer pulled them. So far no meeces.

**Puddin Tane** · 11-07-2022 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by old guy

LOL!!! You just made me go out and stick my arm up underneath the battery drain to show you how it's done ;-)

Hrumph. Well thanks for showing me, guess I'll try again

Originally Posted by old guy

...The purpose of the flapper drains is to let water out while also sealing the plenum from unwanted engine vapors.

Oh... penny drop. Or said gases would foul the cabin intake air. Guess I won't rip em out after all.

Hey what's with all those dark hairs? Why, you ain't old!! Since you've called yourself "old guy" since 2006 I figured you must be like 87 by now.

**seanf86** · 11-07-2022 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by Puddin Tane

This thread prompted me to service the battery tray drains on my shitbox. I thought I'd fill in some details for other noobs to this procedure.

The driver side drain under the brake booster is pretty accessible from the engine compartment, per OG, especially if you dismount the coolant reservoir, unplug its sensor connector, and swing the reservoir out of the way (no need to disconnect hoses). Feeling around under the battery tray, on the "upside-down shelf" portion underneath it, you first come to the steering rack, which feels like what it is-- a hydraulic ram with fluid lines plumbed into it. Further back, behind the rack, you can feel soft rubber flaps surrounding a hole. That's the drain. Perverts will think the feel of the thing suggests a woman's naughty bits.
IMG_1253.jpg What she'd look like if you could see 'er. Fingering this whore brings out lots of groady muck (be glad it's only your finger).

As for reaching the passenger side drain this way, Either OG's arm is way skinnier than mine or he's done more deletes than I have. Pulling the battery seems like less hassle than uninstalling heat shields to make more room (on the slim chance that would even work).
IMG_1254.jpg That's the passenger side drain peeking out from under the battery half-shelf. Pulling the battery is the only good way to get at it from inside the battery tray, which also provides good access to the driver side drain from above, seen here hiding directly under the back of the brake booster.
IMG_1255.jpg Rotate the image CW. Couldn't make it load right.

If you're pulling the battery anyway, may as well just finger that whore from above...

BTW, these "naughty bits" are over-engineered grommets that make the drains much more likely to plug up. They just pull right out like any regular grommet, making the drains ten times bigger. Does anyone know of a good reason not to just toss them? Then you'd never have to worry about the drains plugging again.

I always just push the heater core hose grommet down so its not fitted in the opening, so far no issues on 4 B5s and 3 B6s and the cowl always drained, I would clean it seasonally as well but I never worried about flooded carpets.

**Cybersombosis** · 11-07-2022 10:56 PM

If you are working in the garage in the colder months, I’ve lifted the carpet and taken a blow dryer and pointed it right at the wet spots after soaking up what I can with a bath towel by squeezing the foam with the towel. Go do something for 10 min and come back and have a feel. If it’s nice and dry on that spot, move the dryer. Repeat as necessary until you are satisfied. I use blocks of 2x4 of various lengths to arch the carpet up to create more space. You’ll most likely find that what seems to be dry isn’t quite dry a day later as gravity moves the water down over night so I had to do a second session a day or so later.

**Kevin C** · 11-07-2022 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by Cybersombosis

If you are working in the garage in the colder months, I’ve lifted the carpet and taken a blow dryer and pointed it right at the wet spots after soaking up what I can with a bath towel by squeezing the foam with the towel. Go do something for 10 min and come back and have a feel. If it’s nice and dry on that spot, move the dryer. Repeat as necessary until you are satisfied. I use blocks of 2x4 of various lengths to arch the carpet up to create more space. You’ll most likely find that what seems to be dry isn’t quite dry a day later as gravity moves the water down over night so I had to do a second session a day or so later.

Not a bad plan. I put the car in on Sunday and will finish it up tomorrow. I'm fitting an antisurge turbo core along with a few other minor upgrades. The turbo swap has been taking way more time than I ever expected so the carpets get a bit more time to dry out. I totally agree that they are hard to dry. There was a small puddle under the hood under the air box. Probably 3/16th deep. Its long dried up but the carpets with air blowing on them are still a bit damp. I have been keeping the garage at about 68°F and its nice and super well sealed and dry.

**Kevin C** · 11-08-2022 07:46 AM

Also. Lots of info on the cowl drains, don't forget that the sunroof drains also clog.

My advice is to check all of them out.

**Puddin Tane** · 11-08-2022 08:19 AM

hulk smash 2.jpgHulk arm no fit good, OG! Hulk SMASH!!

Car all busted, OG! Help! Hulk not vote yet!

**walky_talky20** · 11-08-2022 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by old guy

LOL!!! You just made me go out and stick my arm up underneath the battery drain to show you how it's done ;-)

The purpose of the flapper drains is to let water out while also sealing the plenum from unwanted engine vapors.

Haha. I laughed out loud. OG, thank you for showing us all how to correctly perform The Reach-Around. You're the best.

**Puddin Tane** · 11-08-2022 02:10 PM

Everything Walky said, ditto. You're the best thing this forum ever saw. Hulk no mean harm.

**old guy** · 11-08-2022 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Puddin Tane

Hey what's with all those dark hairs? Why, you ain't old!! Since you've called yourself "old guy" since 2006 I figured you must be like 87 by now.

I dunno.... 71 sounds pretty old to me. But what the hell, it's only a number.

Now where did it put my denture cream??

Oh, there it is! It must have fallen into the Depends box;-(

**Puddin Tane** · 11-08-2022 05:11 PM

Sorry

**Kevin C** · 11-08-2022 05:25 PM

After a weekend of minor upgrades that involved a fair amount of under car crawling and tight hand work I defiantly feel a bit old. The upside is by working slowly the carpets had extra time to dry out.

**old guy** · 11-08-2022 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by Puddin Tane

Sorry

No problem.

**old guy** · 11-08-2022 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by Kevin C

After a weekend of minor upgrades that involved a fair amount of under car crawling and tight hand work I defiantly feel a bit old. The upside is by working slowly the carpets had extra time to dry out.

I used one of these and was able to dry the carpet overnight.

**Kevin C** · 11-08-2022 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by old guy

No problem.

Worse is when you here about a 62 year old that got attacked, fell hiking or whatever and you think wow it must... Oh never mind I forgot what I was going to say.

Originally Posted by old guy

I used one of these and was able to dry the carper overnight.

Nice dryer!!! I went with what I had in the spares cabinet, I may need to upgrade. After years of not having a garage it's such a luxury ( at least to me) to have a warm dry place to turn into a total mess.