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Clean out soft-top drain

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Citation 650
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Clean out soft-top drain

Post by Citation 650 » Tue Feb 04, 2014 9:37 pm

I think part of the problem is after a heavy rain or when washing the soft top, a lot of water collects at the bottom of the roof channel. If you lower it back about 3 or 4 inches, you have access to the lower part. From there, it is easy to use a towel to remove the water.

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Re: Clean out soft-top drain

Post by craigdm » Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:01 pm

pvr wrote:Just to note that this issue was resolved in the facelift model.
New here, so please excuse my ignorance.

Recently sold my 2.0 Z3 and missing it already and so I'm looking to dive straight back in with a facelift E86 Si model. I've been lurking here for a few weeks and noticed the recurring issue with the roof motors and so was interested to see the above quote. Can anyone explain how this issue was solved and if it's still something I need to be concerned about.

Cheers.
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pvr
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain

Post by pvr » Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:04 pm

Not resolved, it is "delayed" as the facelift model has more protection around the motor but they still fail eventually if the area has not been kept clean.
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain

Post by ranski » Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:04 pm

not resolved in the facelift
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain

Post by wegras » Tue Aug 19, 2014 3:27 pm

pvr wrote:Not resolved, it is "delayed" as the facelift model has more protection around the motor but they still fail eventually if the area has not been kept clean.

Mine failed despite being "squeaky clean and no sign of debris or standing water and drains clear ,always garaged and only used as a 3rd fun car
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain

Post by pvr » Tue Aug 19, 2014 3:33 pm

When it came out, was it clean and not rusty? What was the cause of failure - perhaps an internal hydraulics failure?
Current:
911-50 Black - unique spec
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Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain

Post by wegras » Tue Aug 19, 2014 3:41 pm

pvr wrote:When it came out, was it clean and not rusty? What was the cause of failure - perhaps an internal hydraulics failure?
Nope waterproof housing water logged and motor corroded but clearly never sat in standing water and Dealer agreed water is intended to be in that area on it's way to drain holes

Dealer made ",mistake" of telling Insured warranty that drains were blocked yet told BMW the area was clean and no blockages .Just awaiting explanation from Dealer Principle why

This is going to run and run
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain

Post by pvr » Tue Aug 19, 2014 3:46 pm

Good luck with the battle. You think the water damage was caused just by the washing of the car? With the new design on the facelift, I am surprised the water got that far when just running passed.
Current:
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3

Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo

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Re: Clean out soft-top drain

Post by wegras » Tue Aug 19, 2014 4:01 pm

pvr wrote:Good luck with the battle. You think the water damage was caused just by the washing of the car? With the new design on the facelift, I am surprised the water got that far when just running passed.
Strange as it sounds but Dealer was surprised to find the area so clean and no evidence of ever having standing water and the clean drains
Maybe a badly assembled casing when new ..............but clearly a failed waterproof housing and no contributory factors :o
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain

Post by Grizzly9 » Wed Mar 04, 2015 5:18 pm

Well, thanks again to the Z4 Forum archives. After reading up on how to clear the drains. I got my trusty ol' Mk lll Cortina aerial ( wire coathanger to you whippersnappers) and took me 5 minutes to clear the drains by lowering hood and going in from the top.
Luckily I have no roof motor, so a piece of pee-pee to do.
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain

Post by AnttiO » Fri Mar 06, 2015 7:07 pm

Just took my endoscope and found those drains. right side (uk driver side) it was really easy to locate when top is lowered.
Left side, (uk passenger side) it was more complicated, but i manage to found it with endoscope & led torch. Both sides were fully open.
Is there more than 1 drain / side? I will post video tomorrow from endoscope.
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain

Post by DMike » Fri Mar 06, 2015 9:44 pm

Only one drain on each dide. Clogging may also happen at the lower end of the drains, where a badly designed rubber valve collects debris.
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain

Post by tazzfalcon » Tue Sep 01, 2015 7:23 pm

AnttiO wrote:Just took my endoscope and found those drains. right side (uk driver side) it was really easy to locate when top is lowered.
Left side, (uk passenger side) it was more complicated, but i manage to found it with endoscope & led torch. Both sides were fully open.
Is there more than 1 drain / side? I will post video tomorrow from endoscope.
Hey, I know that there is little chance at this point but any chance of a link to the video AnttiO. Just got my z4 3.0i and want to clean drains asap but would rather go from the top rather than the bottom because no jack available etc. Cheers.

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Re: Clean out soft-top drain

Post by rjsimmons » Wed Nov 25, 2015 6:44 pm

andysat wrote:So could you move the plastic wheel arch cover without removing the bottom bolts?
I have seen a YouTube vid that showed that very thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5LwrafOLt4

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Re: Clean out soft-top drain

Post by Smartbear » Wed Nov 25, 2015 6:54 pm

craigdm wrote:
pvr wrote:Just to note that this issue was resolved in the facelift model.
New here, so please excuse my ignorance.

Recently sold my 2.0 Z3 and missing it already and so I'm looking to dive straight back in with a facelift E86 Si model. I've been lurking here for a few weeks and noticed the recurring issue with the roof motors and so was interested to see the above quote. Can anyone explain how this issue was solved and if it's still something I need to be concerned about.

Cheers.
Hi Craig, i can assure you that you need not be concerned about any issues with roof motors as the E86 is a coupe! :oops:
Regards
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