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Home > Maintenance & Mods (L405) > Fixed My Sunroof Drains - HURRAH!!

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sullivj

Member Since: 19 Jun 2025
Location: Gatwick
Posts: 43

2014 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Santorini Black

Fixed My Sunroof Drains - HURRAH!!

Like many of us now, I look at my beautiful 2014 Autobiography whenever it's raining and wonder if today is going to be the day that the roof drains detach, and submerge my electronics to a premature water soaked death!

Knowing that we have a good week of weather, I've booked Thursday off work to put my mind at rest once and for all.

In readiness for the 'fun', I've got myself a couple of the brass threaded fittings, a pipe brush, a drill bit extension and some marine grade sealant. I also have a couple of the cheap inserts, but don't think I'll use them. I would rather complete a full replacement if I can.

I've also ordered a selection of stainless jubilee clips to secure the pipe to the brass inserts once fitted.

I already have trim removal tools, some Kurust to paint on to the area and a willing engineer mate to help me out.

I'll try and take some photos along the way and let you know how we get on.

Last edited by sullivj on 9th Oct 2025 4:36pm. Edited 1 time in total

6th Oct 2025 4:23pm

Richie N

Member Since: 29 Dec 2023
Location: Kent
Posts: 392

2013 Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 Baltic Blue

Good luck 👍

6th Oct 2025 8:39pm

sullivj

Member Since: 19 Jun 2025
Location: Gatwick
Posts: 43

Thanks Richie. I'll let you know how it goes.

7th Oct 2025 8:20am

Kot

Member Since: 10 Mar 2021
Location: Broadland
Posts: 1433

Yes I know! I need to do mine as well very soon. 2018 SE SDV8 4.4 Byron Blue

7th Oct 2025 8:42am

sullivj

Member Since: 19 Jun 2025
Location: Gatwick
Posts: 43

Hurrah - I'VE DONE IT!!!!

The trims closest to the sun roof come off easily with the roof fully open. Pull up on the trims from the front, noting where the rubber tucks in at the front and back.

Click image to enlarge

This reveals the drains. Both of mine had some surface rust and rust inside the pipe, BUT they were still sound and very well attached. You can see it was possible to scrape some of the rust away and pick it out of the hole.

Click image to enlarge

So we set about removing the interior B & C trims, the grab rails and the bloody vent light. This took AGES as it wasn't obvious how it should come out. Here you can see what you need to do. Push a pick through the vent to release the tab on the right hand side. Then it will just pull out easily!

Click image to enlarge

So with the headliner down and propped down with some rolled up towel, it was possible to pull the pipe off and take a good look.

From underneath, the drains looked pretty good still.

Click image to enlarge

From underneath, we wire brushed the inside of the hole.

Click image to enlarge

And then used a cotton bud to paint the tube with Hammerite Kurust. This reacts with the rust and stops it getting worse.

Click image to enlarge

The nearside tube was clear, but the offside one was blocked solid. We traced the blockage to the point where the tube exits the vehicle (next to the spare battery). It wasn't rust, just general debris.

Click image to enlarge

You can see where the tube exits the vehicle and it's marked with my blue handled screwdriver. Don't expect to find a tube in the wheel well - there isn't one. The water just exits onto the top of the wheel liner and drips down from there.

Click image to enlarge

Then we covered the inserts in marine grade sealant and inserted them into the drains from above.

Now my drains will last for years. The original intention was was to use the brass screw together inserts, but as my tubes were still OK, we went with the easier method.

Click image to enlarge

9th Oct 2025 3:55pm

Happydaze

Member Since: 30 Aug 2021
Location: Wirral
Posts: 116

Nice job.

Chris

9th Oct 2025 4:53pm

TJH1985

Member Since: 11 Feb 2015
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 672

Good job!

Do you have a link to the inserts? Assume the pipe still pushes onto the original tube but the insert provides a buffer? Does this not narrow down the drain size making it more likely to block up?

Thinking about what to do with my own MY17 Santorini Black L494 Autobiography 5.0 SC - Sorry!
Previously Bell a 2015 MY16 Loire Blue Autobiography 4.4 SDV8
Previously George a 2007 MY07 Java Black VSE 3.6 TDV8
Previously a 04 MY04 Defender 90

9th Oct 2025 9:04pm

sullivj

Member Since: 19 Jun 2025
Location: Gatwick
Posts: 43

Here’s a link to the inserts. As you can see, they have a very thin wall, so don’t overly restrict the flow. They’re only 50p each.

They’re shorter than the original pipe, so the rubber tube pushes back on as it used to.

My original pipes were in good condition. If yours are not, it might not work for you.

https://www.toolstation.com/hep2o-smartsleeve-pipe-support/p29345

9th Oct 2025 9:11pm

TJH1985

Member Since: 11 Feb 2015
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 672

Perfect thanks I’ll pick some up and decide on the day.

My car appears to have only internal rust on the tubes that hasn’t reached the lip yet. However, I want to take care of it as I did with my L405 to prevent a serious issue down the line.

Debating rust treatment, paint and an annual check or an insert and sealant to try and prevent water even touching the steel.

The whole thing feels like an awful design! MY17 Santorini Black L494 Autobiography 5.0 SC - Sorry!
Previously Bell a 2015 MY16 Loire Blue Autobiography 4.4 SDV8
Previously George a 2007 MY07 Java Black VSE 3.6 TDV8
Previously a 04 MY04 Defender 90

9th Oct 2025 9:17pm

sullivj

Member Since: 19 Jun 2025
Location: Gatwick
Posts: 43

It is an awful design, only likely to last a few years before rusts sets in. If the pipe blocks, rust will accelerate quickly.

You can tell if you have a blocked pipe as you’re likely to get a rush of water down the screen when you pull away after a rainfall.

9th Oct 2025 9:34pm

sullivj

Member Since: 19 Jun 2025
Location: Gatwick
Posts: 43

Click image to enlarge

Also consider getting one of these wire brushes to clean the internal rust out.

9th Oct 2025 9:36pm

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