August 25, 2023

What's a sunroof cowl drain?

A sunroof can be a premium feature of your vehicle, but most car owners don’t invest a lot of time thinking about what it takes to maintain this particular component. As the weather starts to warm up, you may notice a few signs that your sunroof is either working as expected; or that there’s a potential clog to fix.

Water or non-oily substance dripping beneath your vehicle.

Your sunroof has a hard-working group of tubes that makes sure that any water that gets past the rubber seal between the glass and your roof doesn’t end up on your head! These ducts divert water outside your vehicle, meaning that you may see water dripping beneath your car. This is normal, and means your drains are doing their job! However, if you’re ever in doubt about the fluids that your car could be leaking or if you’re concerned that it could be something more serious like a transmission issue, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us a picture.

Water dripping INTO your car, or a mildew-y smell coming from the A/C or interior.

Over time little particles of pollen, dust, and road grime can get stuck in the drain tubes and clog them up. When this happens, you can end up with water backing up into your headliner or carpets causing a mildew smell or even mold! Keeping your roof clean, and periodically having the drain tubes cleaned out with high pressure air are key to keeping your car from having a leaky roof. We include this with all our Deluxe Hand-Detail service, and can let you know during our inspection if those tubes have dried out over time and need to be replaced. 

Need to book your Deluxe Hand-Detail or a service to inspect any suspicious drips? Book now, and enjoy free pick-up and return of your vehicle, digital inspection reports from your mechanic, and the ability to review and approve all services directly from your phone.