Sunroof drain hose issue

slash.dot.dash

Paid Member
So I recently got myself a 2008 Clio Premium Pack (sunroof / xenons / 6 stacker). The issue I discovered on my first wash is that the sunroof drains were blocked so I cleared them with some trimmer cord but once it started flowing there was nothing coming out at the front wheels arches. The backs ones were OK.

There was no wet carpet so I thought it’s not coming out into the cabin. So I pulled off the arch liners and blew air up the other way. Air was coming out but not at the sunroof drain holes in the roof so there was obviously a disconnect somewhere else. So I pulled back the carpet and discovered that the carpet is rubber backed which I why I didn't find any wet carpet but my floor pan was soaked with water.
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I bit of goggling said that the drain hoses can disconnect at the firewall and when I put my hand up behind I pulled out a dirty wet hand. I couldn't find the hose connection but according to the Renault service manual to replace the sunroof drain lines you remove pretty much everything including the dash which is where I got to today. I thought following these instructions I would be able to remove the last bit of soundproofing that is up the footwell behind the dash. So this was completely wrong as I am now in the position of most of the internals stripped out up to and including the dash but it seems the last bit of soundproofing is one piece that goes behind the crash bar / heater / pedals / steering column.
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Am I really required to pull all of these out just to remove this last soundproofing so I can access the firewall? If so I'm thinking about just cutting the soundproofing along the dotted line. Maybe then I could see the drain hose or at least reach it more easily.
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Basically everything has to come out at the front in order to pull that foam out in one piece. Steering column, dash bar, wiring loom, heater matrix
 
Yes that’s what I was afraid of. I thought maybe there might be a secret to minimising the work but I could see the writing on the wall. I think I will cut it then above any points that could get wet for ease of removal / drying in the future.