What a great video, I had the exact same problem and I thought it would be $1000s of dollars to fix at a mechanic, $8 online for the clean out cable and while it took some time, to get them cleared out and flushed and clean out the sunroof channels, take the sunroof deflector off and back on again and get to that drivers side tube underneath, i got it all cleaned up and we are fully draining now. Great Video!!
Excellent... my 2008 Altima is most likely plugged at the passenger side of the sun roof. Water stains exactly where you pointed out. We've had non stop ice snow and now rain for several days.
Appreciate the video. Putting my Altima back on the road this week after storing it for 4 years. I was not aware the sunroof had rear drains as well until I found this video...Good looking out! Thanks!
This is a great video! But may I ask a request, I have an issue with my maxima 07, water leaks begin on the edge of the pillar , but I’m having issues to take it off, as you mentioned “take off the rubber seal” *the car rubber seal*, but I’m not trying to to risk it yet, is it possible to a show a how to video to remove the strip just in case I need to reapply the seal
Sorry, I won't be making another video just to show removing the seal. All you do is pull it down. Its very simple. Just clipped on. All vehicle seals are just clipped on.
@@liltazz19 You can find them on Amazon or just search around for the best price. I got my pump locally at a autoparts store because it was cheaper. But everything can be found on Amazon.
Thank you! I have a leak in the front just like your video and now some is getting on my passenger floor board. Well only on the passenger sides. I appreciate it. Hopefully I can get it fixed. When it rains hard it's a pain in the ass
@@MrFlingtoe I totally understand. I suffered through this issue too. This is the best fix. I tried compressed air, weed wacker lines, mechanics wire, hot water, etc. They all temporarily worked until it rains hard. It got so annoying I decided to just figure out a way to fully clean the drain tubes, which is what I showed in the video. Zero leaks since. You do have to repeat the process every couple years or so just to ensure it's always clean, but it works. Just poor design by Nissan. So far we've had a ton of heavy rain and my car is dry no leaks. Hopefully it fixes your issue too.
I have a 2010 Infiniti FX35 with a similar problem and I have been doing extensive research. I am guessing the Nissan Altima is using the same type of drain lines as the FX35. What happens is the drain lines run down A-pillar, then behind the dash and out through the firewall. The drain lines terminate at a drain plug in the firewall, and the water drains into the engine compartment. There is a design flaw with the drain plugs because there is a baffle inside these plugs to prevent dirt and debris from going back into the lines. This baffle becomes clogged, then the water leaks and the drain plug seals fails, then water leaks into the cabin. It can happen to both driver and passenger side. It's a $13 part, but a $1500 repair because you must remove the dash to get to it. There are other videos online showing how it's done. The problem is that because it's a design flaw, it will continue to happen. Some people have modified the drain plug and removed the baffle and used a metal tube to extend the drain. Other people have bypassed this drain plug and rerouted the lines into existing AC drains, or drilled holes in floorboard and terminated the lines there. Either way it happens to most Nissan and Infinitis that have this design and the manufacturer should recall this. The problem is that not only does it soak your car, but it can ruin electronics. There are tons of horror stories of bad electrical problems from ruined ECMs and other electronic devices. I am at the stage where I am researching this issue. My car is in a bad way and the floors and carpets are soaked. I removed the passenger carpet and there were puddles under in areas of the floor board. I am not paying money to have a mechanic do this, and I really don't know if I have the skills or tools to take apart my car to replace these plugs. My FX35 is only worth about $5000 and I'm thinking of selling it to Carmax and buying a new car.
You can try. I've used compressed air before, but it didn't hold up long. The dirt likes to stick to the inside of the tubes and when it rains it'll just push all the dirt down clogging the tube. The best way is to clean and flush out the drain tubes like I showed in the video.
I ran some weed trimmer string down the tube. Still holding water. Guess I'll have to pull out the glove box and pull the line on the firewall. Guessing it's plugged there.
As mentioned in the video, the brush is for cleaning refrigerator drain tubes. I dont know the specs of the brush. Its always been only 1 standard size. If you do a quick search search on Amazon you'll find many sellers for this brush. Its just a refrigerator brush. You may be able to find them cheaper on ebay or Walmart marketplace etc. They're pretty common.
I really wanna know how to drain mine when it’s leaking after the dealership that sold me this car sealed the sunroof to not open. 😢 it’s leaking I’m pretty sure and it doesn’t function to open anyway
I have this issue but my sunroof slid off the track and if I open it it most likely won’t close, what should I do? There’s water collecting mostly in the back
I would suggest googling to find the sunroof assembly diagram and fix the sunroof issue you have. I personally have never encountered a sunroof coming off the track, but with the assembly diagram you can troubleshoot by taking it apart. If you don't want to open the sunroof, you can unclog the sunroof from the other end (drain plug end). The rear drains can only be unclogged from the drain plug end like how I did it in the video. Your fronts can be done that way as well. Keep in mind that doing it this way just pushes dirt back into the sunroof pan and without cleaning that dirty out, you'll end up clogging again when the dirt goes through the drain tubes. So without opening the sunroof and cleaning the dirt in the pan, you'll likely clog it up again either instantly or very soon after.
@@BudgetGears alright thank you, I’ll try this today. But yeah it’s still attached to the “sunroof guide jaw” but it will 100% slip off if I use the sunroof in any direction and I checked the diagrams and they mention it briefly.
@BudgetGears figured it isnt this bc it just in one spot on the driver side floor board it's a coupe. Headliners dry just got done raining and its only in that on spot in the floor
Found out the hard way when I went through the car wash, totally flooded the cabin!
You have the ONLY video that showed what I needed. Seriously…thank you so much.
Maximum respect I just want a little help with the back drain. You taught me a lot so far.
What a great video, I had the exact same problem and I thought it would be $1000s of dollars to fix at a mechanic, $8 online for the clean out cable and while it took some time, to get them cleared out and flushed and clean out the sunroof channels, take the sunroof deflector off and back on again and get to that drivers side tube underneath, i got it all cleaned up and we are fully draining now. Great Video!!
This is awesome. Have the exact same problem. This gives me the strategy to fix.
Excellent... my 2008 Altima is most likely plugged at the passenger side of the sun roof. Water stains exactly where you pointed out. We've had non stop ice snow and now rain for several days.
Thanks !! Your video helped me to figure out where the sunroof drain lines on my nissan rouge 2013 where located.
Thanks didn't think about the rear for M37 infiniti
Appreciate the video. Putting my Altima back on the road this week after storing it for 4 years. I was not aware the sunroof had rear drains as well until I found this video...Good looking out! Thanks!
Thanks for the vid, very informative and to the point. Two thumbs up
This video is so helpful! Thank you so much.
Thanks a lot for making this!
This is a great video! But may I ask a request, I have an issue with my maxima 07, water leaks begin on the edge of the pillar , but I’m having issues to take it off, as you mentioned “take off the rubber seal” *the car rubber seal*, but I’m not trying to to risk it yet, is it possible to a show a how to video to remove the strip just in case I need to reapply the seal
Sorry, I won't be making another video just to show removing the seal. All you do is pull it down. Its very simple. Just clipped on. All vehicle seals are just clipped on.
@@BudgetGearswhere can i find the pump and cleaning brush u used?
@@liltazz19 You can find them on Amazon or just search around for the best price. I got my pump locally at a autoparts store because it was cheaper. But everything can be found on Amazon.
Thanks man
What kind of brush is that? Where can I get one? I tried the thinest weed cord today. Didn't work. Should have bought the thicker line
@@MrFlingtoe Refrigeration drain tube brush. Amazon should have them.
Thank you! I have a leak in the front just like your video and now some is getting on my passenger floor board. Well only on the passenger sides. I appreciate it. Hopefully I can get it fixed. When it rains hard it's a pain in the ass
@@MrFlingtoe I totally understand. I suffered through this issue too. This is the best fix. I tried compressed air, weed wacker lines, mechanics wire, hot water, etc. They all temporarily worked until it rains hard. It got so annoying I decided to just figure out a way to fully clean the drain tubes, which is what I showed in the video. Zero leaks since. You do have to repeat the process every couple years or so just to ensure it's always clean, but it works. Just poor design by Nissan. So far we've had a ton of heavy rain and my car is dry no leaks. Hopefully it fixes your issue too.
Thank you for the video
2009-2014 Nissan maxima dual sunroof doesn’t have drain tubes. They drain on the outside. Just in case anyone was wondering .
how did you remove the seal properly? a branch fell on my roof and knocked my sunroof drain tube loose
I have a 2010 Infiniti FX35 with a similar problem and I have been doing extensive research. I am guessing the Nissan Altima is using the same type of drain lines as the FX35. What happens is the drain lines run down A-pillar, then behind the dash and out through the firewall. The drain lines terminate at a drain plug in the firewall, and the water drains into the engine compartment.
There is a design flaw with the drain plugs because there is a baffle inside these plugs to prevent dirt and debris from going back into the lines. This baffle becomes clogged, then the water leaks and the drain plug seals fails, then water leaks into the cabin. It can happen to both driver and passenger side.
It's a $13 part, but a $1500 repair because you must remove the dash to get to it. There are other videos online showing how it's done. The problem is that because it's a design flaw, it will continue to happen. Some people have modified the drain plug and removed the baffle and used a metal tube to extend the drain. Other people have bypassed this drain plug and rerouted the lines into existing AC drains, or drilled holes in floorboard and terminated the lines there.
Either way it happens to most Nissan and Infinitis that have this design and the manufacturer should recall this. The problem is that not only does it soak your car, but it can ruin electronics. There are tons of horror stories of bad electrical problems from ruined ECMs and other electronic devices.
I am at the stage where I am researching this issue. My car is in a bad way and the floors and carpets are soaked. I removed the passenger carpet and there were puddles under in areas of the floor board. I am not paying money to have a mechanic do this, and I really don't know if I have the skills or tools to take apart my car to replace these plugs. My FX35 is only worth about $5000 and I'm thinking of selling it to Carmax and buying a new car.
Hey, I don't quite understand what you used the siphon for
@@joelwilliams6860 To flush the nipple. Dirt gets trapped there clogging the line. You have to flush it to free the dirt.
Do you think using compressed air down the tube from the top.of the sun roof would do the job ?
You can try. I've used compressed air before, but it didn't hold up long. The dirt likes to stick to the inside of the tubes and when it rains it'll just push all the dirt down clogging the tube. The best way is to clean and flush out the drain tubes like I showed in the video.
I ran some weed trimmer string down the tube. Still holding water. Guess I'll have to pull out the glove box and pull the line on the firewall. Guessing it's plugged there.
Love the hatchback
Do you know if the drain tubes are set up similar for the 09 Maxima(by the E brake)?
I don't know for sure, but it should be a similar setup. You should be able to trace the drain tubes and follow where it exits.
how did you properly remove the seal? i think mine came loose when a branch landed on it
You just pull the seal off with your fingers. Its pretty straight forward. Its just clipped on. Its not tight or anything.
Do you have a brush you recommend? Diameter?
As mentioned in the video, the brush is for cleaning refrigerator drain tubes. I dont know the specs of the brush. Its always been only 1 standard size. If you do a quick search search on Amazon you'll find many sellers for this brush. Its just a refrigerator brush. You may be able to find them cheaper on ebay or Walmart marketplace etc. They're pretty common.
I really wanna know how to drain mine when it’s leaking after the dealership that sold me this car sealed the sunroof to not open. 😢 it’s leaking I’m pretty sure and it doesn’t function to open anyway
I have this issue but my sunroof slid off the track and if I open it it most likely won’t close, what should I do? There’s water collecting mostly in the back
I would suggest googling to find the sunroof assembly diagram and fix the sunroof issue you have. I personally have never encountered a sunroof coming off the track, but with the assembly diagram you can troubleshoot by taking it apart. If you don't want to open the sunroof, you can unclog the sunroof from the other end (drain plug end). The rear drains can only be unclogged from the drain plug end like how I did it in the video. Your fronts can be done that way as well. Keep in mind that doing it this way just pushes dirt back into the sunroof pan and without cleaning that dirty out, you'll end up clogging again when the dirt goes through the drain tubes. So without opening the sunroof and cleaning the dirt in the pan, you'll likely clog it up again either instantly or very soon after.
@@BudgetGears alright thank you, I’ll try this today. But yeah it’s still attached to the “sunroof guide jaw” but it will 100% slip off if I use the sunroof in any direction and I checked the diagrams and they mention it briefly.
Good video for the back clearing from the exit up through the trunk. ua-cam.com/video/mrYvh5GCaxA/v-deo.htmlfeature=shared
I have this issue but I don’t have a sunroof…. Interesting
Ill try comoressed air lol
@@Babyrhino2024 lol. Been there done that many times. Didn't work. But it may for you.
@BudgetGears figured it isnt this bc it just in one spot on the driver side floor board it's a coupe. Headliners dry just got done raining and its only in that on spot in the floor