Warning about using rear hatch drain kits
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Joined: Oct 2012
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Warning about using rear hatch drain kits
I've seen postings from Forum members inquiring about this part in the past and I hope the Forum administrator will post this one under the sticky list. Below is the note I sent Eckler's after receiving their REAR HATCH WINDOW DRAIN KIT:
"Hi, on Oct 15th I place an order with Eckler's for several parts. The order number is: (order number omitted). One of the items I ordered was part No. A7221, a window drain kit. After reading the instructions that came with the part, I realized there was something terribly wrong with the instructions and the part. Had I followed the instructions, I would have drilled a hole into the inside of my car and You would have had one very angry customer. I would hope Eckler's does actual testing from products it sells from its vendors, because in this case, this part does not work for my coupe nor for any Corvette.
Please let me know what process I need to take to ship this product back and I hope Eckler's takes this product off of its catalog."
"Hi, on Oct 15th I place an order with Eckler's for several parts. The order number is: (order number omitted). One of the items I ordered was part No. A7221, a window drain kit. After reading the instructions that came with the part, I realized there was something terribly wrong with the instructions and the part. Had I followed the instructions, I would have drilled a hole into the inside of my car and You would have had one very angry customer. I would hope Eckler's does actual testing from products it sells from its vendors, because in this case, this part does not work for my coupe nor for any Corvette.
Please let me know what process I need to take to ship this product back and I hope Eckler's takes this product off of its catalog."
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Joined: Oct 2012
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"Drill a hole as vertical as possible 1/2 inch from end of sill using a 1/8 inch drill to start.
Then it tells you to enlarge the hole with a 5/16 inch bit."
If you measure your window sill and measure 1/2" from the sill, you are drilling a hole into the inside of your car!
All this drain kit consists of are two 5-1/2" long clear rubber hoses with a copper end tip that is concave and a piece of sealer material you are supposed to wrap around the underside of the copper ends before pressing the hoses down into place.
Did I forget to mention the disclaimer at the bottom of the instructions! It says:
'BC Enterprises and Eckler Industries assume no liability or responsibility for damage to vehicle due to improper installation of this kit."
Real reassuring, Hu!
Last edited by ghr4news; Nov 10, 2013 at 11:35 PM. Reason: forgot to mention ONE very improtant fact
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I have these drains on my car and they work very well.
You need to drill all the way through the interior and into the wheel well. That's where the water drains to. My recollection is that I drilled through 3 "layers".
I used RTV to seal the top of the drains to the car body.
You need to drill all the way through the interior and into the wheel well. That's where the water drains to. My recollection is that I drilled through 3 "layers".
I used RTV to seal the top of the drains to the car body.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
I have these drains on my car and they work very well.
You need to drill all the way through the interior and into the wheel well. That's where the water drains to. My recollection is that I drilled through 3 "layers".
I used RTV to seal the top of the drains to the car body.
You need to drill all the way through the interior and into the wheel well. That's where the water drains to. My recollection is that I drilled through 3 "layers".
I used RTV to seal the top of the drains to the car body.
That's why you have the 8" tube, it directs the water into the outer wheelwell... And Cliff is correct , you go through at least 2 , maybe 3 layers on your way to the outer wheelwell.. These kits work well and remove the hassle of having to syphon, dip, soak up, the water from the window area...The only thing you have to be carefull with is to make sure you drill straight down and not sideways, there is a wiring harness in this area and drilling straight down will miss it..I have heard some people say they won't drill holes in the body of their cars, sorry to inform you, but there are holes all over your car body already, Im sure 2 more won't make any difference......I have had one of these kits in my car for 6 years and will say it's one of the best mods I've done on my car..Why GM engineers couldn't see the future problems with this design is beyond me......
..WW.
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.
.
Last edited by WW7; Nov 11, 2013 at 07:52 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 56
From: West Chester PA
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '25
[QUOTE=WW7;1585399891] That's why you have the 8" tube, it directs the water into the outer wheelwell... And Cliff is correct , you go through at least 2 , maybe 3 layers on your way to the outer wheelwell.. These kits work well and remove the hassle of having to syphon, dip, soak up, the water from the window area...The only thing you have to be carefull with is to make sure you drill straight down and not sideways, there is a wiring harness in this area and drilling straight down will miss it..I have heard some people say they won't drill holes in the body of their cars, sorry to inform you, but there are holes all over your car body already, Im sure 2 more won't make any difference......I have had one of these kits in my car for 6 years and will say it's one of the best mods I've done on my car..Why GM engineers couldn't see the future problems with this design is beyond me........WW
.
x3 Also have had mine in for years, no issues if you install it correctly 
That's why you have the 8" tube, it directs the water into the outer wheelwell... And Cliff is correct , you go through at least 2 , maybe 3 layers on your way to the outer wheelwell.. These kits work well and remove the hassle of having to syphon, dip, soak up, the water from the window area...The only thing you have to be carefull with is to make sure you drill straight down and not sideways, there is a wiring harness in this area and drilling straight down will miss it..I have heard some people say they won't drill holes in the body of their cars, sorry to inform you, but there are holes all over your car body already, Im sure 2 more won't make any difference......I have had one of these kits in my car for 6 years and will say it's one of the best mods I've done on my car..Why GM engineers couldn't see the future problems with this design is beyond me........WW.
x3 Also have had mine in for years, no issues if you install it correctly
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
with those above.You have to drill through 3 layers to penetrate the wheel wheel.
When I installed mine the drill severed the ground connection in the L/H compartment void.
Took an extra few hours to trouble shoot and repair the damage.
At which time I did not blame the instructions, but myself for not paying closer attention to what I was drilling into.
I did do a SEARCH here for others misfortune BEFORE I started drilling
and discovered that a long drill and some applied common sense was required.
Yet I still effed up and hit the wire (Murphy was in charge) that was warned about.
In the future I suggest you ask around for advise and suggestions before starting a mod.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Team Owner
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
I had these drains installed on all my C4s (92, 95 and 96). Yes, it funnels thru the rear compartment, and down to the rear fender area.
Follow instructions, use your mechanical skills, and above all else use RTV.
Welcome to 1984.
"Warning"
I thought you had something big here
Follow instructions, use your mechanical skills, and above all else use RTV.
Welcome to 1984.
"Warning"
I thought you had something big here
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
If you want to make sure the hole is being drilled where it needs to be, you can just pull the carpet and insulation down like JrRifleCoach did before you drill..That way you can see exactly where the wires are and where your drilling so there's no question your doing it right.....WW
.WW
Last edited by WW7; Nov 12, 2013 at 07:27 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
I pulled the wheel well liners off both sides to ensure the exit hole was correct.
As well as double checking the drain tube location was exiting the cargo compartment.
Its some effort to do it right. but worth the wait.
As well as double checking the drain tube location was exiting the cargo compartment.
Its some effort to do it right. but worth the wait.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 3
From: Murphy NC
Coach,
Thanks for the great pics! One of these kits came with my 94 I sold, I kept it for my 95 and haven't got around to putting it in yet, but your pics and post will help me tons, when I get around to doing it.
Thanks for the great pics! One of these kits came with my 94 I sold, I kept it for my 95 and haven't got around to putting it in yet, but your pics and post will help me tons, when I get around to doing it.