How to clean inside of Rocker Panels

[R3VN R3D]

My Sunroof Drain is clogged and flooding the floor on the Passenger side. I ran wire down the front drain hole on the passenger side of the Sunroof and it came up caked in mud. How can I get into the space to clean it out? Thanks.

[R3VN R3D]

Wrong Section? Anyone know? Am I correct in thinking that the Sunroof Front Drains drain into to Rocker Panels? That seems like a bad design IMO. And then to have holes for wiring to go through to the Interior. Isn't that were the water comes through to the inside? Through the wiring holes?

[R3VN R3D]

Anyone? Dare I drill a hole into it at the wheel well just behind the front fender? And then protect the new hole with primer and a rubber plug after cleaning out the rocker void?

[Brian 89 325i]

The most common fix for a clogged sunroof drain is compressed air. Put the little rubber nipple on the air chuck, stick it in the drain hold, and BLOW!

Should fix your problem. If not.....good luck?

[mrsleeve]

there is a drain hole just behind the front wheel, take a wire coat hanger and straighten it out and ram it up there and losen all the shit up. The flush with more water or compressed air.

[R3VN R3D]

Thanks guys... Sounds like I can temporarily clear the passage ways of all the crap, but all the shit just stays in the Rockers, for ever.... I wish you could access the void to clean the crap out... eventually, so much crap will fill the space that I don't think compressed air and coat hangers will do the trick anymore....

[learningcurve86]

probably a stupid idea... but what about using a pipit to put draino down it?

[R3VN R3D]

probably a stupid idea... but what about using a pipit to put draino down it?

Sorry but, whats a pipit?

[nmlss2006]

I think he means a pipette http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pipette. I'd be very VERY VERY careful with Draino, though.

[R3VN R3D]

I think he means a pipette http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pipette. I'd be very VERY VERY careful with Draino, though.

Yeah, Im more concerned with cleaning the void out than with just clearing the passage ways...
Although, perhaps he stating that maybe drano would break all the material in there down to nothing, thus cleaning out the void...
I still would like to just be able to stick a vacumm hose attachment in there and suck it all out...

[nmlss2006]

I am afraid I do not follow: cleaning the void out?

[R3VN R3D]

I am afraid I do not follow: cleaning the void out?

Inside the Rocker Panel... Is that not where the Front Sunroof Drains drain into? Or am I mistaken?

[guibo09]

Inside the Rocker Panel... Is that not where the Front Sunroof Drains drain into? Or am I mistaken?

no you are correct.

short of pumping degreaser and a bunch of other chemicals into the rocker panels, not sure what else you can do. my car was rust proofed, so i does have some holes in the door jams for oiling. but i dont know how helpful they can be.

[R3VN R3D]

no you are correct.

short of pumping degreaser and a bunch of other chemicals into the rocker panels, not sure what else you can do. my car was rust proofed, so i does have some holes in the door jams for oiling. but i dont know how helpful they can be.

Rust proofed? How's that?

[guibo09]

Rust proofed? How's that?

ah, its something you will never need to deal with where you live. up here in the rust belt, there's something called anti-rust treatment. they basically shoot the underside of the body and the inside of the body panels with oily or waxy substances to protect from rust in winter. but since the rocker panels are a top target for rust, they drill a couple of 1/2" holes in the door jambs and spray some oil in there.