
The sunroof drain hole on the old Elantra is located in front of the right-side door. Introduction to the air conditioning drain hole: The air conditioning drain hole is generally located under the co-driver's seat on the car's chassis. A hose is used to drain the water from the air conditioning system to the ground. The engine compartment drain hole is located on both sides of the windshield wiper, allowing rainwater to flow out through the drainage channels on either side of the compartment. The door drain holes are located at the bottom of the door panels, typically with two drain holes per door to prevent rainwater from accumulating if one gets blocked. The exhaust pipe drain hole is hidden beneath the car's chassis exhaust pipe, designed to drain condensation from the exhaust gases. Importance of car drain holes: Many car owners have experienced clogged drain holes in their vehicles. For example, hearing water sloshing inside the doors while driving or finding the car's carpet damp in severe cases—these issues are usually caused by blocked drain holes leading to poor drainage. In serious cases, it can even damage the vehicle's mechanical components and electrical circuits. Therefore, during seasons with frequent rain, it's essential to clean the drain holes promptly and avoid parking under trees or other locations prone to clogging the drain holes.

Having driven an old Elantra for over a decade, I know the sunroof drain holes like the back of my hand. This car has four drain holes, all tucked along both sides of the sunroof rails—the front two are at the roof corners above the windshield, and the rear two near the rear window. Lifting the sunroof cover reveals coin-sized black rubber grommets. I often use a thin wire to clear them from the wheel arch side, where the drain tubes actually exit. Parked under trees in summer, fruit droppings clogged the drains twice, turning the cabin into a fishpond. Now, I lift the sunshade monthly to check the grommets and pour water to test flow. Never use a pressure washer for cleaning—aged rubber tube joints may leak. A bicycle pump hose blowout works best.

When repairing the car, it was found that the sunroof leakage in older Elantra models is often caused by clogged drainage holes. The location is very hidden: after removing the A-pillar trim, you can see two transparent soft tubes extending down from the roof, with a diameter of about 5mm. In the metal grooves at the four corners of the sunroof, there is a hole about the size of a mung bean, which is the drainage outlet. It is recommended that car owners prepare an infusion tube and a syringe for cleaning: use the syringe to suck water and inject it into the sunroof holes, and connect the infusion tube to the end of the drainage pipe. There are duckbill-shaped outlets on the left and right sides of the car's chassis, which are prone to clogging in piles of fallen leaves. After cleaning, pour half a bottle of mineral water to test; if the water flows smoothly, it means the passage is clear. If the rubber tube is aged or cracked, it needs to be replaced entirely, otherwise, it will still leak during rainy days.

Previously, my old Elantra had water leakage from the A-pillar on rainy days. The mechanic taught me to locate the drainage holes in the sunroof sliding tracks. Lift the sunroof sunshade and slide the glass window to see small round holes in the plastic grooves at the four corners. DIY cleaning is simple: buy a sunroof cleaning brush online, and you can reach the duckbill valve at the drainage tube outlet by reaching behind the front wheel fender. Regularly use a syringe to inject water into the sunroof holes to prevent clogging—the water outlet is in the chassis gap below the door hinges. Once, I reversed into a mud pit, and the sludge blocked the outlet hole—it took me half a day to scrape it out with a screwdriver. Now, before parking under trees, I use a brush to clear leaves from the tracks first.

When camping with an old Elantra, I noticed the sunroof was leaking. Checking the manual revealed the drain holes are located in the roof tracks. Opening the sunroof cover to inspect the track grooves, I found a rubber-ringed hole at each corner. The drain tubes run down along the A-pillars and C-pillars, with exits hidden behind the wheel arch liners above the tires. For DIY unclogging, I used a one-meter fishing line wrapped with cotton balls secured by tape, gently inserting it through the sunroof holes. Many owners overlook that the rear drain exits are above the spare tire well. Before rainy seasons, it's advisable to drill holes in plastic bottle caps and fit them over the outlets to prevent insect entry. Rubber tubes become brittle and leak after about ten years, requiring a full replacement at a repair shop.


