How Often Should Car Drain Holes Be Cleaned?
2 Answers
Drain holes for components such as sunroofs, engine compartments, and air conditioning systems must be regularly cleaned before the rainy season arrives. Below is relevant information: 1. Air Conditioning Drain Hole: The air conditioning drain hole is typically located at the bottom of the evaporator box and connected to the chassis via a hose. Its function is to discharge the condensation water formed during the heat exchange process when the air conditioning is in use. This is also why a puddle of water appears under the car after the air conditioning has been running for a while. 2. Engine Compartment Drain Hole: The engine compartment drain holes are generally located on both sides of the front windshield wipers, usually one on each side. Since the engine compartment is a relatively open environment, sewage, fallen leaves, and other debris can flow into the engine compartment along the windshield. Engineers have designed a water barrier at the rear of the engine compartment, along the lower edge of the windshield, and incorporated drain holes in the barrier's location.
As a dog owner, I once found all the drainage holes clogged when my car was full of dog hair. Now I check them monthly, especially the ones under the doors. Pet hair and leaves love to get stuck there, but you can easily clean them out with a hook. Before the rainy season, pay extra attention to the holes at the four corners of the sunroof—if they're blocked, the entire headliner can leak, and repairs are costly. Don't expect the dealership to remind you; this is something you need to stay on top of yourself. Keep a thin wire handy for unclogging. Last time, after a heavy rain, the passenger footwell carpet got moldy—all because the drainage holes had been blocked for three months.
