How to Clean 94 Montero Sun Roof Drain Tubes
 

I have a 1994 Montero SR which has had some moisture issues in the past due to a small leak around the sunroof:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/mitsubi...205b9bdac3.jpg

There is a drain hole in each corner, and there are rubber hoses connected that takes any water down to the bottom of the vehicle where it drips out. I found the two rear drain tubes, which come out behind each of the rear tire quarter panel areas:
Right (Pssgr) side:
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/mitsubi...046443e5df.jpg


Left (driver) side:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/mitsubi...bc61c22622.jpg

I first ran weed-eater line up the tubes and then tried to use compressed air to hopefully blow out any potential debris that could be blocking the tube:
(Pretty Ugly job, if you ask me.....ha haaaaa):

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/mitsubi...dc3fd205e8.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/mitsubi...642206f0b4.jpg

These two hoses go up to the rear section of the sun roof, and you cannot see those corners since the metal roof is above them. (I guess you would have to remove the entire sunroof in order to perhaps see those corner drains). I have the Factory Shop Manuals, and their description of these drain hoses is very poor, and do not show where these hoses are routed to. The rear ones are easy to find, but so far I have been unable to locate where the two front drain hoses actually exit.......I have searched all under the vehicle, and in the door jambs, but dont see the front two hoses. I also tried pushing the weed-wacker Ugly line down from the top of these front drains, but it only goes to the first sharp bend, and then will not go further.

~~~~~~~~Does anyone know where these two front drain hoses exit the vehicle......I assume on the bottom someplace??????

The second question is in regards to the sunroof in the closed position. It appears that the rear portion of the sun roof glass does not pop up all the way to make a good tight seal. Is there a spring or something that is supposed to push "up" on the glass when in the closed position? (Again, the Shop Manual does a very poor job at detailing this).

Thanks for any suggestions.

Pictures did not upload properly. Will try again:

Right Passenger Side rear drain:

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/mitsubi...58725541f0.jpg

Left (Driver's) side:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/mitsubi...89eb6fa5ec.jpg

Using weed wacker ugly line to fish up to the sunroof:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/mitsubi...379808342a.jpg

I give up with the pictures.....site must be having problems tonight.

Regarding not closing fully: On other vehicles, I have found it helpful to lubricate the entire mechanism. Somewhere are some hinges, and if they bind, even a little bit, your sunroof cannot close fully.

jburney.....Thanks for the input. Yep, I already cleaned the track and and lubed the entire mechanism and any pivot/motion points like the pop-up wind deflector. I also put a thick coating of Mineral Oil on the outer rubber seal, and hope that will expand the rubber a bit to help with the sealing. Cant get to the rear portion unless I remove the entire sunroof.

Here are better pictures showing the rear portion of the sunroof not popping up fully to seal. One thought I had is to use the little hand crank (in rear door tool box), and try cranking just a bit more after the electric motor has closed as much as possible. Maybe its just the motor getting a bit weak with age, and the hand crank will give it just enough "push" to allow the rear to pop up higher. ??????

Here is a view of the rear portion of the sunroof, needing to pop up about another half inch:
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/mitsubi...0d801e470a.jpg


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/mitsubi...3e59afa03a.jpg

The front is up all the way:


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/mitsubi...43971c556f.jpg


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/mitsubi...93e21c5b43.jpg

Any suggestions from the experts here?

I also crawled under looking for the exit locations for the two front sun roof drain tubes. I found a large rubber plug on each side and removed it, expecting to see the end of the rubber drain tube inside......but nothing inside:

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/mitsubi...192a1cbe04.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/mitsubi...f3e06870c6.jpg

The metal inside this plug hole looks perfect, with some type of grey paint applied to it.....and no sign of water ever dripping down in this area. So, maybe the drain tubes come out someplace else? Anyone ever discover where these front drain tubes exit at? Guess my next step is to inject tranny fluid down these tubes and look for the leaks.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/mitsubi...ef685e5bd1.jpg

I did some browsing and apparently there is a manual crank, a hex bolt-like thing, under the sunroof switch panel. Apparently the switch panel can be removed and the window cranked open and closed, especially when the motor fails. I saw mention of a jack related tool that is supposed to fit, but didn't quite understand what they meant.

jburney......Yes, there is a manual hand crank took in the rear door tool box. I may try cranking it a hair further to see if the rear then pops all the way up.....but the front is already flush, and I dont want to stress the cable and break it. I still think there must be some type of spring that pushes up on the rear sunroof section......but the OEM Shop Manuals are very vague. I was hoping that someone at this site may have already gone through the process of removing one of these sunroofs, and could give more details.

It's more likely that there is a small wedge on the cable that lifts the roof in place.

Hunter.......Interesting idea....a small wedge on the pull cable. Could be that this "wedge" has worn down or fallen off with time. Once I know for sure, I will repost what I discover.