Since the past two years, I have been suffering with a minor problem ever since a Sumo sideswiped me. The rear headlining has been getting wet. Started as damp but now, it started to smell like a dungeon as the rain storms have intensified.
Tried diagnosing -
Leaky roof seals – nope – not a drop falls on me
Leaky door seals - not evident.
What could it be?
A quick on the skoda forums found that the
sunroof drain pipes could be blocked. Water should flow from the rear wheel arches. Poured water down the
sunroof channels. Only one wheel arch dribbled water out. Looked for the pipe but could not find it. Lost patience and started removing some trim and found a part of a pipe loitering around.
Pipe as should be fitted Something missing - just a big hole
Tried removing the headlining but could not make headway as I could not figure out removing the grab handle.
To mitigate the damage, I ensured the car was parked nose down during rains. Frustrated – I took it to Vinayak – who damaged it on the first place. Supervisor had no idea on how to approach. I told him to attach a pipe at the break point. Received car but supervisor said, we need to order the part sir, it is a big job as we need to remove entire headlining. Duh! It’s only a pipe. Thinking of my time and it would be a matter of days, I thought of waiting. More rains passed, ending with a stormy drive to Pondicherry last weekend. In Pondy, I ditched the car and rode in my friends Innova all weekend. When I opened the car to go home, it was beginning to smell like a sock. Time for action.
More research. You all curse google but it helped me find the method to remove the roof handle. I also found the egress point of the pipe in the rear wheel arch. And I looked at the piping on the other side. I made a plan.
1: Took a 335 Volvo to Corporation
2: Walked all the way to SJP road.
3: Bought 3 metres of 20mm or ½” piping
4: Bought a pipe extension piece – took a few shops to find but I got it
5: Walked all the way home.
All for the price of Rs 110
Tear Down
Open the boot and removed the lining. Tried fitting new pipe into the valve. Valve was too small for the pipe and got pushed in into wheel arch. The pipe fitted into hole and is too big to be blocked by muck. Now for the tough bit
Removed the grab handle – it was easy – Skoda have small hinged screwed covers which recess in. Prised them open and unscrewed the handle. Unpeeled the door seal. Lowered headlining and reached in and helloo!
The sorry looking pipe – looks like the welding got to it before Vinayak.
Trimmed it and attached the extension piece.
I then got stuck trying to thread it between the double skin panel then realized that I need to thread the pipe between the trim and panel. Pulled the pipe through, cut it to size and pushed it into the wheel arch.
Attached new tube Poured water into sunroof channel and lo and behold, the beast is finally house trained again
No more looking for inclines, no more damp smells, no more blackening headlings
All it cost was Rs 100 and 30 min. Missed opportunity Vinayak, you could have done this and charged me Rs 3000 and I would have been happy and you even happier. Please go and cancel your pipe on order.