[Scottiec33]

Hi all, just picked up a 335d x-drive. Noticed that after some rain I lifted the boot and water flooded over the edge into the boot and clearly isn't draining properly. Putting the spoiler up there is water pooled as per the first photo. Does this unclip or how can I unblock it? I'm assuming it then drains through to last photo?

[WingWong34]

Wet and dry vac from the top. Do not use compressed air. Once you got stuff flowing use some bicarbonate of soda to clear up the gunk. Some people try clearing the lines with the polymer strimmer line.. but I'd only do that uphill some you're pushing the gunk out the way it came in. Be mindful of the electronic in the boot.

[Scottiec33]

Originally Posted by WingWong34

Wet and dry vac from the top. Do not use compressed air. Once you got stuff flowing use some bicarbonate of soda to clear up the gunk. Some people try clearing the lines with the polymer strimmer line.. but I'd only do that uphill some you're pushing the gunk out the way it came in. Be mindful of the electronic in the boot.

Thank you. Does that plastic piece stay in place or will it come off to help clean etc?

[WhiteCollarMetalHead]

They can be removed, not sure how hard that is or how prone to snapping they are. I opted to leave mine in place and used some pick tools to gently pull out clogged up gunk in there and it worked well. Removing the wing would give you perfect access but I also choose not to take that off and worked around it. Not directly related to those drain points but also part of the hatch draining is the channels on the sides down to the tail lights, those plastic covers are held on with (3) plastic rivits you can pop off, tons of stuff packed under there was causing issues for me as well, much easier to clean out. Check those as well.

[chr15gb]

I used a pick tool to get most out from the top.
I then wrapped my lips around the drain hole in the last picture and blew as hard as I could.

Crap flew all over the roof lol..

I then used a garden hose back up the same way, from the outlet up to the drain.

After that, lower the trunk most, but all the way, down then filled from the top and watched it pour out the outlet.

[BaconDouble]

Water in the trunk area is my worst nightmare, and I seem to be a glutton for punishment for buying cars with active spoilers where this can be an issue (my old VW Corrado had a similar issue and the motorized spoiler stopped working alltogether).

For me, cleaning leaves and debris from the trunk hinges and spoiler area and up front by the windshield wipers/cowl area is part of my scheduled maintenance that I do 4 times a year or more. I don't live in a particularly "leafy" area, just a normal suburban area, but it is amazing the amount of stuff that gets clogged and caught in these areas.

I haven't tried blowing the lines with my own breath - that is a great idea.
But for the spoiler area - I lift it up and then get a garden hose running in that plastic grid area to ensure a strong stream of water is coming out of the oval shaped holes on the side of the hatch itself.

I've also removed the soft gasket type trim on each sides of the open hatch near the taillights as someone else stated below to clean all of the little debris out. Remove the rivets and it gives easier access. I use my vacuum to help suck out whatever dirt, debris, etc. is stuck in there.

Hopefully all of this cleaning will help keep the drain lines clear and working as they should - time will tell.

[Bezerk]

Let's not pretend that this is rocket science. I put my pressurewasher on it, problem solved in 5 seconds...

[WingWong34]

Yeah problem with pressure washers is that they can defeat seals and blow off pipe connections. They also flatten the fins on radiator and intercoolers.
Theres another thread in this forum looking at the most cost effective way of repairing the HK amp in the boot. Not something I'd fancy for the sake of some careful cleansing.

[Scottiec33]

Thanks all, great suggestions. I managed to get the water sat on top to clear by poking some strimmer cord up through. So much much trapped in there that I'll keep working on it and getting it nice and clean.

[Bezerk]

Originally Posted by WingWong34

Yeah problem with pressure washers is that they can defeat seals and blow off pipe connections. They also flatten the fins on radiator and intercoolers.
Theres another thread in this forum looking at the most cost effective way of repairing the HK amp in the boot. Not something I'd fancy for the sake of some careful cleansing.

Thanks, well aware of that. My pressurewasher is (as most) adjustable. I'm not just blowing water into it full speed just for the sake of it. Just think that sometimes people act like everything on the car is as delicate as butterflywings or tend to overthink and forget about the easy solutions. Most times, a car can handle more then you might think.

[BaconDouble]

Originally Posted by Bezerk

Thanks, well aware of that. My pressurewasher is (as most) adjustable. I'm not just blowing water into it full speed just for the sake of it. Just think that sometimes people act like everything on the car is as delicate as butterflywings or tend to overthink and forget about the easy solutions. Most times, a car can handle more then you might think.

The issue is also people have second-hand cars or even if they are the first owner, do not take the greatest care of this item (or the previous owner did not maintain the water drains properly.)

Yes the car can handle a lot, but once the problem starts, its a absolute electrical and (later on) rust nightmare to fix. It's better to do some preventative maintenance to head this off as much as possible.

I've lived through several years of electrical issues with a previous car including hazard lights and alarm going off in the middle of the night, inability to lock the doors, multiple trips to the body shop to try and resolve the issue, a of stress, and thousands of dollars to ultimately fix the issue. I was probably better off selling the car, but I loved it and wanted to keep it as long as possible.

[Bezerk]

Originally Posted by BaconDouble

The issue is also people have second-hand cars or even if they are the first owner, do not take the greatest care of this item (or the previous owner did not maintain the water drains properly.)

Yes the car can handle a lot, but once the problem starts, its a absolute electrical and (later on) rust nightmare to fix. It's better to do some preventative maintenance to head this off as much as possible.

I've lived through several years of electrical issues with a previous car including hazard lights and alarm going off in the middle of the night, inability to lock the doors, multiple trips to the body shop to try and resolve the issue, a of stress, and thousands of dollars to ultimately fix the issue. I was probably better off selling the car, but I loved it and wanted to keep it as long as possible.

Well, that's just your experience. The OP can take it into account. I have had several cars (all secondhand) that (in your eyes) i undoubtedly have manhandled, but i have never faced any electrical issues, or rust for that matter.
I'm just trying to contribute by sharing my own experience. It is up to the OP to gather info and handle as he/she seems fit.

[SupremeF34]

I cleaned a drain port on mine last week with a pick tool from the bottom. Found a beetle and some good gunk clogging it up. As a tip, I think it’s probably best practice to lower your spoiler if you park nearby any debris above you like trees and such to prevent stuff from getting in.

[Oksamit78]

Originally Posted by SupremeF34

I cleaned a drain port on mine last week with a pick tool from the bottom. Found a beetle and some good gunk clogging it up. As a tip, I think it’s probably best practice to lower your spoiler if you park nearby any debris above you like trees and such to prevent stuff from getting in.

Could not agree more. I never have the spoiler forced open in my car while parked for these reasons. Cleaning of the drains is something I do in the spring and late fall regularly (or after camping trips right away).

[alp06]

Just hold the pressurewasher in the holes. For me it helped