Bobmg
Member Since: 07 Jun 2012
Location: Surrey
Posts: 6
  
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Thought I would add my three penneth to this topic, I am the new and generally delighted owner of an early 2005 D3 V8 4.4L.
Soon after purchase (and with the car parked facing downhill) a huge amount of water ended up one wet night under the carpet all the way down the car, on both sides and all over the electrics that run underneath the carpet and plastic trim. The headlining behind the sun visors was soaked. I removed the trim pieces on top of the carpets including those on the B posts and pulled the carpet up as far as I could allowing for seat mounts and other carpet connections etc, and tried to let it all dry. There is a huge amount of foam attached to the underside of the carpet which was all waterlogged.
Reading all the posts on this I quickly assumed the problem was blocked sun roof drains. Using an airline rubber nozzle on my compressor into the two forward drain holes in the sun roof tray (accessible once the wind defector has been popped out as previously described) did not clear it- I did the water test and it did not drain away.
Removing the air intake grill on the offside wing (put a tape protected screwdriver under the underside lip of the plastic grill and it will pop off), and then removing the duct and the funny squarish foam piece yielded sight of the end of the off side train tube, which I cut the end off with a craft knife and cleared the debris in the pipe with a vacuum cleaner
I am not clear why this “phillips screwdriver†looking rubber end is needed at all- perhaps to stop reverse water ingress when wading?
I have yet to test it as once again the rain has started (great British Summer!). I am currently using a sports car half cover to stop all rain access to the sun roof. This only goes halfway down the windscreen so will I hope prove it’s the sunroof drains and not any other problem as discussed on here. The carpets are however taking an age to dry out. I am concerned however of a join half way down these pipes? I have yet to try removing the sun visors, headlining at the front and A post trims to access the pipe further. It could therefore be blocked in places other than at its end.
As regards the near side (which I recall from the water test was worse) there is no grill and so I assume that the wheel arch plastic protector has to be removed. Can anyone advise what the procedure is and how difficult it is? Presumably the car’s design is different on this side as there is no air intake.
Thanks and hope
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 12th Jul 2012 4:10 pm |
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johnnychainsaw
Member Since: 24 Nov 2009
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 1222
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Hi Bob,
I had to do mine last week and like you tried to clear blockage with bike pump method, that didn't work for me either. As I didn't fancy removing wheel arch protector, which does need removing to get to valve, which is in the same place as other side and difficult to get too. I lowered the headliner after removing sun visors etc and disconnected drain tube, then gave it a couple of good blows and it cleared. Didn't take too long to do and carpets are now dry. Might be worth a try 
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| 12th Jul 2012 10:56 pm |
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Bobmg
Member Since: 07 Jun 2012
Location: Surrey
Posts: 6
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Hi, yes could try that, only thing is- assume it will block again and the first time that would be known is soaked carpets again! On the off side I cut most of the “valve†off (couldn’t send a photo yesterday as the complex procedure beat me) and will want to do the same on the near side to be certain this won’t recur.
So has anyone done this? Is it a pain in the  to remove the liner etc?
Cheers
Bob
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| 13th Jul 2012 8:37 am |
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M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8188
  
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The drain pipe connects onto the sunroof frame in the front corners under the sunblinds, I have known these not to be connected, this may or may not be caused by using a compressor to clear them, simlest way to check if they are clear is simply pour a small amount of water in the sunroof gutter. It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
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| 13th Jul 2012 9:27 am |
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DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
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ive got some front and rear drain tubes plus the rubber connections to the body if interested.
£10 total Duncan
-----------------------------------------------------
If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
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| 13th Jul 2012 10:03 am |
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Bobmg
Member Since: 07 Jun 2012
Location: Surrey
Posts: 6
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Thanks guys
Going to remove near side road wheel, wheel arch fender and the liner and have a look soon as I can.
Cheers Bob
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| 14th Jul 2012 5:26 pm |
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stevethedent
Member Since: 25 Jan 2012
Location: Manchester
Posts: 99
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You will also have to undo the wing mounting bolts and VERY CAREFULLY move the front wing away from the body if you force you will distort the wing.
It is a two man job really, one holding the wing out while the other feels for the end of the pipe. Even when you find the end of the pipe it it a bitch to get both hands in there to cut it.
Read my article on here to see the easier option of puting a wire down the drain to clear it.
once done keep the wire and for peace of mind clear it every few months. It really is a 5 minute job.
I succesfully did borth drains on mine in no time at all.
Good luck, let us know how you get on.
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| 15th Jul 2012 10:56 am |
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Bobmg
Member Since: 07 Jun 2012
Location: Surrey
Posts: 6
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No no that sounds much too extensive- many thanks for the advice. Guess that means you can’t get to the nearside pipe on a UK spec car without moving the wing- now going to try the drop headlining and blow down the pipe option.
Cheers B
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| 17th Jul 2012 7:53 am |
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maplecottage
Member Since: 01 Feb 2011
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3171
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Did mine without removing the wing - bit of a knuckle scraper but achievable all the same. 
Take care when blowing down the pipe - too much pressure and you'll cause the joints to seperate. These are up behind the dash and a real PITA to get to.
Been 'dry' for 18 months now
Steve
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| 17th Jul 2012 8:55 am |
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stevethedent
Member Since: 25 Jan 2012
Location: Manchester
Posts: 99
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No need to drop the head lining!
Read my posts. Open the sunroof and curtain wire or bike brake cable down the drain hole with a little grease so the cable slides around the joints. You will know when the pipe clears when your feet get wet!
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| 17th Jul 2012 9:32 am |
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stevethedent
Member Since: 25 Jan 2012
Location: Manchester
Posts: 99
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Have you sorted this yet Bob?
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| 21st Jul 2012 7:46 am |
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Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
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I really pity you guys with sunroofs.
I had twin sunroofs on a D1 and they were more trouble than they were worth regarding leaking.
So, so glad the D3 doesn't have them. 
Hope you get it sorted. Mods:
Front Fogs + Halos
FBH Remote Control
The 1st Ever RRS Modded Grill
Garmin Nuvi + D4 Surround + Reversing Camera.
D4 Steering Wheel.
Rear Boot Spoiler.
Twin Brake Lights.
Wing Mirror Indicator Repeaters.
Long Roof Rails
Make your own Narpy grill thread
I'm not scared, I'm outta here.
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| 21st Jul 2012 9:09 am |
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stevethedent
Member Since: 25 Jan 2012
Location: Manchester
Posts: 99
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THESE ARE D 3s !!!!!
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| 21st Jul 2012 4:34 pm |
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dick edwards
Member Since: 15 Jul 2014
Location: Allier
Posts: 2
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| Discovery 3 sun roof drains |
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My Discovery 3 has blocked drains after every winter, yes footwells flooded.
I poke a length of NEW "Shimano" covered outer bicycle brake cable down the drains, follows them easily, some folks suggest curtain wire, then blow down the cable with my compressor, you can hear the s*** coming out also!!. Test with a jug of water and job done.
Works every time!!, (well, has done so far!).
Hope this helps, saves dismantling if so.
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| 15th Jul 2014 3:27 pm |
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ubp_sanity
Member Since: 18 Jun 2010
Location: Kitchener, Ontario
Posts: 240
  
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I just removed the vent on mine and cut that X valve off, didn't even bother attempting the other side. It seems to have cleared the problem on mine. For all I know the other valve doesn't even need worked on.
So, just give it a try with they easy to access valve cut off, it may be all you need.
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| 15th Jul 2014 8:38 pm |
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