[goodmonkey]

The service manual for VW Touareg indicates to get at the rear sunroof drains for cleaning you must remove the wheel housing liner. In the 7P5 platform vehicles, this means jacking up the vehicle, removing the wheel, removing the mud flap (if installed), removing the wheel cover (fender trim is what this really is) and then removing the wheel housing liner. (See Repair Group 60, 1.20.2 and Repair Group 66, 1.2.2.). When you take out the wheel cover, you must destroy the clips that are holding it in. There are seven of those, VW part number 3C0 853 585. In that process you will also probably destroy the grommets holding those in, which are VW part number 3C0 853 586. (Pictures of these components attached)

This method is time consuming, and also requires the replacement of parts. If replacing all seven clips and grommets, it could cost over $40. At the time of this writing (May 2019), at the local VW dealer the clips cost $2.34 each, and the grommets are $3.95 each. I went this route, then looked at how this could be done better.

HOW TO ACCESS REAR SUNROOF DRAINS ON VW TOUAREG 7P5 (7P6 may be similar)

WARNING: You will be working near the exhaust. Ensure the vehicle is cool and test the temperature of the exhaust pipe before you are burned or otherwise injured.

WARNING: Ensure parking brake is set and chalks are used (as necessary) to ensure vehicle doesn't move while you are underneath it.

WARNING: Ensure others know you are working under the vehicle. Do not allow anyone to think it is safe to get in or drive vehicle if you are working underneath it.

WARNING: If vehicle is lifted to get better clearance, ensure proper supports are used. DO NOT get under a vehicle with only a jack supporting it.

CAUTION: Wear safety glasses. Dirt may fall and get into your eye (you will be looking up).

This example is for working on the left rear sunroof drain. Right rear similar.

From underneath the left side, locate the sunroof drain to the rear of the wheel well housing liner. VW recommends using VAS6620, drain snake, but I use weed eater line. (Picture attached with drain circled in red)

That is it. No removing of anything. No replacement of parts. How easy is that?

The reason to look at the drains

When a sunroof drain fails, you are likely to end up with water inside your passenger or cargo compartment. With the Touarage 7P, for a rear drain failure it ends up in the cargo hold, going down the D pillar. (Example attached) Cleaning may help keep this from happening, but for me it will require dropping the headliner to fix the underlying problem.

 

[New2Tregs]

After noticing some water on my sunroof shade and rear seat I found this thread. Very informative aside from a couple of things.
Here is what you wrote. "From underneath the left side, locate the sunroof drain to the rear of the wheel well housing liner. VW recommends using VAS6620, drain snake, but I use weed eater line. (Picture attached with drain circled in red)"
I also looked at the picture you provided.

For the life of me I can not find that drain based on the photo you provided. Maybe for me there's not enough real estate shown to associate it's position.
You said on the left side. Is that looking at the vehicle from the front or the rear; driver or passenger side? Also what diameter weed eater line did you use?
Thanks.

 

[New2Tregs]

** Follow up **

I located the rear sunroof drain exits. At the rear on each side of the vehicle close to the rear bumper is what the OP shows in the 3rd picture. I ran a 12 gauge wire in from the bottom as far as it would go. I don't think it exited the drain spot at the rear corners of the panoramic roof but after pouring in water I did see drainage out of both sides. I did order the VW drain cleaning tool, part # VAS6620. I think this tool will be more effective at clearing the drain all the way through as it looks like one end has a thinner inner core with a brass rounded tip. It looks like the outer sheath will guide the tool up centering the inner core to fit right through the drain opening in the panoramic roof.
As far as the fronts. I see the OP stated VW wanted the wheel well linings to be removed for the rear drains. I think he meant for the front drains as that is where the front drains have the exit port. I fed the same 12 gauge wire down from the top as far as it would go without forcing it. I then verified that water drains out each drain hole and dripped from the exit ports. I did not pull off the liners to see it but rather saw the water saturate and drip from the linings. I had previously cleaned out all debris from that area when I removed the arches and front bumper to change the headlamp bulbs. I don't think the VW tool will feed all they way through the front drain tubes to the exit as it looks like in mech. illustrations there are too many turns in the drain ports.
I took the vehicle today through the car wash as now no water was visible on the sunshade or rear seats. Seems they are draining properly now. Everyone should make this a "must do" on a regular interval to ensure there is no water entering the vehicle from clogged drains for the panoramic roof.

 

[Nic G]

Hi all, it seems the rear drains on our sunroof are blocked also, water getting inside at rear quarter panels. I've read lots of posts and youtube videos. The weed eater cord going from the bottom of the drain up, sounds good as you can't access the drains from the top of the roof but I wonder about pushing crud out the top where it can't be accessed/cleared away. Any thoughts on this or any new tips? I've been advised the roof lining needs to come down and may be damaged and it could be up to 10 hours work at a mechanics! Thanks, Nicole

 

[cneilc]

Hi all, it seems the rear drains on our sunroof are blocked also, water getting inside at rear quarter panels. I've read lots of posts and youtube videos. The weed eater cord going from the bottom of the drain up, sounds good as you can't access the drains from the top of the roof but I wonder about pushing crud out the top where it can't be accessed/cleared away. Any thoughts on this or any new tips? I've been advised the roof lining needs to come down and may be damaged and it could be up to 10 hours work at a mechanics! Thanks, Nicole

Just cleared this hurdle (I think). The cord may work (there's a VW tool as well, part number on another post, about $30 USD). However, over time the road vibration, cord cleanings, and maybe even thermal cycling puts the drain hose/ball nipple connection points in jeopardy of separation. Highly recommend removing the rear quarter trim pieces and dropping the headliner enough to put eyes on the two rear connections. I followed the nice work documented here:

Inspect for mold or water damage. Cut out or replace any discolored or wet insulation. Since one of mine was disconnected, I removed both lines from the clips so that the lines had enough play to pull outside of the lid hatch. Then I flushed them with a garden hose to feel good about my cord efforts. After reconnecting the lines but with the trim still out, close the hatch and test by soaking the roof with a garden hose. If you pass that test high and dry, advance to a car wash run for a real deluge.

 

[Nic G]

Just cleared this hurdle (I think). The cord may work (there's a VW tool as well, part number on another post, about $30 USD). However, over time the road vibration, cord cleanings, and maybe even thermal cycling puts the drain hose/ball nipple connection points in jeopardy of separation. Highly recommend removing the rear quarter trim pieces and dropping the headliner enough to put eyes on the two rear connections. I followed the nice work documented here:

Inspect for mold or water damage. Cut out or replace any discolored or wet insulation. Since one of mine was disconnected, I removed both lines from the clips so that the lines had enough play to pull outside of the lid hatch. Then I flushed them with a garden hose to feel good about my cord efforts. After reconnecting the lines but with the trim still out, close the hatch and test by soaking the roof with a garden hose. If you pass that test high and dry, advance to a car wash run for a real deluge.

Thanks cneilc. Glad to hear it worked for you. As lots of people said in the comments of that video it would be great if he showed you how to remove the interior panels and lower the roof lining. I've got a panel beating person having a look next week. He has removed hundreds of roof linings and feels confident he'll be able to fix it. It seems like a better fit than a mechanic but will see how it goes.

 

[cneilc]

Same. However, you can leap several steps ahead of me with better info. Search this site for repair workshop manuals... there's a zip file and a Goog Drive link, one repository contains a few adds beyond the other. Seek the Body Repair Interior pdf. You might lose some clips in the process (one type for the rear quarter, one for the headliner trim).

Double check these if needed:

7M0868563 4 $ 1.61 Headliner Clip
4B0867276A 4 $ 1.28 Trim. Clip. Retainer. Panel. Pillar. (Front, Rear, Upper, Lower)