Where is the drain hole located on the Excelle?
4 Answers
Buick Excelle's drain holes are located on both left and right sides behind the sunroof. Air conditioning drain hole: The air conditioning drain hole is generally located at the bottom of the evaporator box, connected to the chassis via a hose. Its function is to discharge the condensed water formed during the heat exchange process when the air conditioning is in use. This is why there will be a puddle of water under the car after the air conditioning has been running for a while. Once the air conditioning drain hole is blocked, water will enter the footwell of the front passenger seat through the connection, soaking items such as floor mats. Engine compartment drain hole: The engine compartment drain holes are basically located on both sides of the front windshield wiper, usually one on each side. Since the engine compartment is a relatively open environment, sewage, fallen leaves, etc. will flow into the engine compartment along the windshield. Engineers have designed a water deflector at the rear of the engine compartment and along the lower edge of the windshield, with drain holes positioned at the deflector.
Last time I helped my friend clean the drainage holes on his Excelle, we found they were mainly located in a few key areas. The sunroof drainage holes are hidden in the four corners—you need to lift the rubber trim around the sunroof to spot the small openings. The ones under the doors are the easiest to find; just crouch down and you'll notice small holes at the bottom of the door panels where rainwater drains out. Inside the fuel filler flap, there's a drainage channel with holes along the edges that you can feel when you open the flap. The engine compartment has two or three drainage holes designed along the lower edge of the windshield—be extra careful when clearing leaves from these. In the trunk, lift the spare tire cover, and you'll find drainage holes tucked away in the corners. Before the summer rainy season, it's essential to clear all these holes thoroughly to prevent water buildup, which can lead to musty odors in the car.
I've been driving my Excelle for over five years and have indeed encountered drainage hole issues. The key point is the drainage holes at the bottom of the doors: each door has a slender hole underneath, which often gets clogged with mud. The sunroof drainage holes are located at the four corners, and can be cleared with a thin wire. The air conditioning drainage hole is under the passenger side floor mat, requiring the interior panel to be removed for access. I remember one time when the sunroof leaked during rain because the drainage hole in the corner was blocked with leaves. When cleaning, avoid using tools that are too thick, as they can easily damage the holes. The fuel tank cap and trunk corners also have drainage designs, so it's good to check them during regular car washes.
The drainage holes of the Excelle are relatively scattered. The sunroof drainage holes are located on both sides below the front windshield and at the edges of the rear window. The small holes at the bottom of the doors are usually covered by plastic clips, which can be removed for cleaning. The fuel tank cap drainage is hidden in the gap inside the cap. The drainage holes in the engine compartment are generally located in the groove below the wipers. The trunk drainage holes are around the spare tire well. The air conditioning drainage hole should be checked under the carpet on the passenger side. Pay special attention to the door and sunroof drainage, as these are most prone to clogging. Using compressed air for cleaning is the safest method, as hard objects may puncture the hoses. It is best to check them quarterly.
