Underhood crap collection alcoves / what am I missing?

[DCTerry]

Hey folks, am looking for some help pls.

I've searched here and elsewhere for an answer to this without success but expect the question has been asked before...

See pics. These "vents" at the windshield corners excel at catching fine grains of crap that sift through the plastic grills. I now have a heap of dirt building up from their base that I suspect would be mighty fine for a garden bed, but less desirable in an automotive situation. Beyond the top opening, their width is too thin to accommodate and cleaning hand. Ive also not been able to locate a point of exit under the car.

So:
- Is there in fact an exit, and if so where?
- Any tips out there for cleaning these suckers?

Thanks in advance team.

[amrazM]

Blow compressed air in

[InnerBlueSkies]

vacumn?

[DCTerry]

Originally Posted by amrazM

Blow compressed air in

Hmm. Would need some serious velocity to clear it.

[DCTerry]

Originally Posted by InnerBlueSkies

vacumn?

Yeah tried that with a couple of option. Drama is that the hole is an irregular shape to the suction escapes.

Surely others have this issue?
Any escape hole found at the other end?

[amrazM]

Pull the cap out duck tape it and put a small hole in it then fit a air blower into it preferably fed through a 1/2” air line. Vacuum it out first.

[randrews15]

That's a drain that is meant to drain off water that accumulates there. There should be an exit almost directly below the vent. This is why the top of your foot gets wet while after you dry the car and leave it there for a second. The screen does pop out if you need to clean further down there. I've used a shop vac with the narrow attachment. Hope this helps.

[Tewie]

Maybe try to gently break it up and force it out with some type of rod?

[ryguy0492]

definitely will easily vacuum up with any small shop vac. Use the smallest circular head or make a little make-shift thin nozzle with a funnel or such

[Pig Farmer]

If you happen to have an old garden hose, cut the male end off the hose and shove the hose down the hole with the water running. Like you mentioned, it will blow a bunch of rich compost out the drain in the bottom of the car. Works like a charm.

[roastbeef]

if you don't have air, get a stick and wrap some duct tape backwards around the end of it. just stick up a little at a time and wrap it again and repeat.

[Groundhog]

https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-GOCH...s=tool+grabber

A grabber tool works great on this stuff.

[DCTerry]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-GOCH...s=tool+grabber

A grabber tool works great on this stuff.

Originally Posted by Groundhog

https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-GOCH...s=tool+grabber

A grabber tool works great on this stuff.

Hey thanks will check this out...

By means of update - I'm yet to locate the exit point of these things dammit. Time to elevate the car..

[5style]

Vacuum cleaner and try not to park under trees. All e9x cars suffer from this

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-GOCH...s=tool+grabber

A grabber tool works great on this stuff.

Have one of these which works well. You just have to remember to clean it periodically...

[M3 Number 86]

so many ways recommended.
Just grab some tongs from your kitchen. then go to gas station and blow it all out with the air hose.