Water Drain Grommet

[Pumpkin]

Hi:

I was cleaning leaves out of the water drain tubes of my 1999 C4 Cab and accidentally pushed in the grommet next to the battery. I was unable to retrieve it and obtained a new one from the dealer. 996.504.645.00 grommet -- US MSRP $1.61. Does anyone have a trick for installing the thing? It seems very large for the opening and I'm having no luck forcing it in. I've tried dishsoap and KY but no luck. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

[wross996TT]

Hi:

I was cleaning leaves out of the water drain tubes of my 1999 C4 Cab and accidentally pushed in the grommet next to the battery. I was unable to retrieve it and obtained a new one from the dealer. 996.504.645.00 grommet -- US MSRP $1.61. Does anyone have a trick for installing the thing? It seems very large for the opening and I'm having no luck forcing it in. I've tried dishsoap and KY but no luck. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

try soaking it in boiling water...

[Pumpkin]

Thanks

In case anyone else is ever in the same situation, the following is how I ended up doing it. I was unable to push in the grommet with hose already inserted into it (tried heating with a heat gun but no luck) so I pushed the grommet in by itself and then pulled the hose into it using needle nose pliers. In order to get access to the hose I removed the battery and battery pan. There is a small access underneath the battery pan. In the C4 it is a very tight fit but I was able to just fit my hand in to push the hose into position to grab it through the grommet. I also located and extracted the original grommet with a coat hanger. Needless to say being careful when cleaning the drains is a lot easier than replacing the grommet.

[1schoir]

Thanks

In case anyone else is ever in the same situation, the following is how I ended up doing it. I was unable to push in the grommet with hose already inserted into it (tried heating with a heat gun but no luck) so I pushed the grommet in by itself and then pulled the hose into it using needle nose pliers. In order to get access to the hose I removed the battery and battery pan. There is a small access underneath the battery pan. In the C4 it is a very tight fit but I was able to just fit my hand in to push the hose into position to grab it through the grommet. I also located and extracted the original grommet with a coat hanger. Needless to say being careful when cleaning the drains is a lot easier than replacing the grommet.

Thanks for the update. I did the same thing on my Boxster and never got around to fishing out the grommet. :clapping:

Your post has inspired me to try again. :cheers:

Regards, Maurice.

[wross996TT]

It just reminds me of the trick to get a cork out of a wine bottle (you know with a scarf...LOL)

[slbates]

Hi:

I was cleaning leaves out of the water drain tubes of my 1999 C4 Cab and accidentally pushed in the grommet next to the battery. I was unable to retrieve it and obtained a new one from the dealer. 996.504.645.00 grommet -- US MSRP $1.61. Does anyone have a trick for installing the thing? It seems very large for the opening and I'm having no luck forcing it in. I've tried dishsoap and KY but no luck. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

There is an updated grommet for the early 996. I don't remember which years this applies to, but if you look at the picture you can tell if you have the latest. There is also a clear plastic cowl plug that keeps leaves and other debris from entering via the VIN ID cutout. Both improve the dreaded water back up problems.