Rear window drain kit. Do they work?

[sumoboy]

Do they really work? Mid America has one in their catalog. You have to drill holes and insert tubes to drain water build-up in the corners of the rear hatch on C4 coupes.

 

[slashnick]

yeh

my '84 has drain holes on the corners of the rear hatch. they were there when i bought it. im not sure if they were the kit or just a previous owners own solution, but they work. if your having trouble with drainage, i would suggest getting the one. i also recently bought the hood latch drain kit, but havent installed it yet.

-matt

 

[*89x2*]

WHat would happen if you just drilled a small hole on each side w/ out installing the tubes?? Pro's - con's??
Thanks

 

[*89x2*]

Just drilling a hole won't channel the water correctly.

Len

Cool - thanks

 

[UB2 SLOW]

Good info guys, thanks. I do have a question about the hood drain. Is that to keep it from pooling in the latch hole? If so, did they add it after a certain year, because I have it on my 96 and a friend has it on his 95. Both cars were bought used, so we dont know if it was put there by the factory of someone else.

 

[Rabbit]

I recall reading somewhere that there are two
layers of material to drill through when installing the kit. One drilled layer will allow water into the rear hatch area. Not positive, but worth checking out.

 

[warren s]

There are two layers to drill through on the back hatch area, I think its better to just stick some paper towels there and dry it out after a wash (or rain if you drive it everyday) because the drain tubes are so thin, I bet the holes in the metal heads of the tubes would clog up very quickly, and you would have to open the hatch to clean them out, and then the waterspills down the side anyway.

 

[JonM]

I don't advocate doing this proceedure but their is two layers. I just can't picture myself taking a drill bit to a perfectly good Corvette.

Rear window Kit
http://www.madvet.com/pdf/600264.pdf

Hood Latch Kit
http://www.madvet.com/pdf/600288.pdf

 

[Chetzki]

UB 2SLOW

I just noticed yesterday I have a pool of water in my latch hole ('96 Coupe) and I was wondering if it could be drained. Please describe your modification. Is it just a hole in the bottom, or is it routed also?

Thanks,
Chetzki

 

[bogus]

I don't like the idea... that point is a main join point of the unibody, I would be concerned with compromising the strength...

 

[UB2 SLOW]

UB 2SLOW

I just noticed yesterday I have a pool of water in my latch hole ('96 Coupe) and I was wondering if it could be drained. Please describe your modification. Is it just a hole in the bottom, or is it routed also?

Thanks,
Chetzki

It looks like it was done by the factory. At the bottom of the latch hole in the corner next to the door there is a Half Oval hole. Its very small, but it does let water out. I noticed that the passenger side was clogged, but not the driver side. I took a flat head screw driver and stuck it into the latch hole on the passenger side and dug it into the goo in the corner. After clearing allot of crap out, includeing what looked like some kind of extra glue, it let water flow out. It came out just above the fender gills. The hole is on both sides. I had my friend check his 95 and it was there also. We had to clean his out too. Hope this helps.

 

[oldace84]

Iknow after washing my vette, water stands in the rear hatch corner...and it takes time to dry it out...
I bought the kit from MAD, but as of yet haven't taken the time to install...am I sure it will work...you bet it will....
tony

 

[wx briefer]

After washing the vette, I use my Harley 'hair dryer', leaf blower, to blast residual pockets of water out into the open and then use a dry towel to clean up. A little zaino to follow if needed and the car is ready to show.

 

[Dcalebaugh]

I have the same problem with my 86. I use a plastic syringe and suck the water out of the area. Works for me.

Dave

 

[davevette]

I put the drains in about 5 months ago (hated the water streaming down after drying the car off) and they work great. Have not clogged at all. DGA

 

[Daryllawman]

Love those Harley Dryers wx briefer.........They work great......

 

[B17Crew]

UB2 SLOW,
It sounds as if you and your friends ‘95 have the aftermarket hood latch drain kit installed. It’s available from Mid America and Ecklers. I’ve purchased one, but have been hesitant to drill into that part of my frame for the reason bogus mentioned. From what you describe, it sounds like it may be the kit. Do you see a rubber drain line running from that area?

I have had a big concern with standing water in the latch area, I think that if not attended too, it will open the door for rust to start forming. I can’t for the life of me figure out why the engineers at GM did not address this issue.

I have a simple remedy for removing the water from the latch hold.

I take a turkey baster and siphon out the latch after every washing, or if rain accumulates in the latch. Then I take a Bounty paper towel and push it down and around with a dowel to get any water the baster didn’t get. (Be sure to have enough paper towel sticking up to pull the towel out). On dry days, I give a couple shots of white lithium grease to coat the inside latch area. It must be dry or otherwise you are putting a layer of lubricant over water that is next to your frame, that would be bad.

The turkey baster works great for the hatch area too after a washing. It’s cheap and quick and I love the look I get from my neighbors when I whip the trusty ‘ol baster out. Once explained, they get it.

B17Crew

 

[JoBy]

I installed the kit and it works for me.

You must drill thru two layers and install the hose. After the first layer you are inside the the the car behind the carpet. You don't want any water there. Going thru the second layer you are above the wheel and the water will drain to the ground.

I have not had any clogging problems and it drains the water. It is not visible with the hatch closed.