I just watched this and wondered why you need the drain plug at all... Is it to keep spiders out?rjsimmons wrote:I have seen a YouTube vid that showed that very thing.andysat wrote:So could you move the plastic wheel arch cover without removing the bottom bolts?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5LwrafOLt4
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Clean out soft-top drain
- RickZ4
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain
07 2.5i Sport Auto
- Taz
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain
i read somewhere else that the rubbers reduce the road noise sound
- Swiftly
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain
You read it here viewtopic.php?f=2&t=79188&start=15Taz wrote:i read somewhere else that the rubbers reduce the road noise sound
- Taz
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain
but with the roof down i'm sure it aint going to make the slightest differenceSwiftly wrote:You read it here viewtopic.php?f=2&t=79188&start=15Taz wrote:i read somewhere else that the rubbers reduce the road noise sound
- B7evan
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain
Managed to find a simple way of cleaning both sump drains. It is much easier if you do this with the wheel off but not necessary.
1. Drop the hood and shine your torch down the hood frame assembly, you should be able to see water if there is a blockage.
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2. Thread about 500mm of rubber hose down between the hood mechanism into the sump area and blow down hose. You should hear the water bubbling, this will also dislodge some of the dirt from the top drain point of the sump.
3. Remove tyre and small arch panel.
4. Now attach your electric tyre pump to one end of your rubber hose and thread the other end up through lower drain point as high as you can into sump area.
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Activate your pump and you will hear the trapped water bubbling away in the drain sump. Do this two or three times and retract rubber hose, you should now see water running freely out of your drain. Job done
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Hope this helps you guys.
1. Drop the hood and shine your torch down the hood frame assembly, you should be able to see water if there is a blockage.
![Image](http://i1308.photobucket.com/albums/s604/b7evan/Z4/image_zpsj544rhdi.jpeg)
2. Thread about 500mm of rubber hose down between the hood mechanism into the sump area and blow down hose. You should hear the water bubbling, this will also dislodge some of the dirt from the top drain point of the sump.
3. Remove tyre and small arch panel.
4. Now attach your electric tyre pump to one end of your rubber hose and thread the other end up through lower drain point as high as you can into sump area.
![Image](http://i1308.photobucket.com/albums/s604/b7evan/Z4/image_zpsmvfobyyg.jpeg)
Activate your pump and you will hear the trapped water bubbling away in the drain sump. Do this two or three times and retract rubber hose, you should now see water running freely out of your drain. Job done
![Thumbs Up :thumbsup:](./images/smilies/smilie_thumbsup.gif)
![Image](http://i1308.photobucket.com/albums/s604/b7evan/Z4/image_zpsnqbi6fnx.jpeg)
Hope this helps you guys.
- tomoz4white
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Clean out soft-top drain
I spoke to my local bmw specialist and they claimed that the roof needs to come off (5hrs labour) to carry out a full drainage check? Apart from the lower plugs are there top drainage areas to potentially clean out....or is this garage misleading me?
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E85 3.0i SE Still Rolling!
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4 x White 3.0i OEM UK E85's Made...
= 2 UK Pre-Facelift / 2 UK Facelift
- tomoz4white
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Clean out soft-top drain
I spoke to my local bmw specialist and they claimed that the roof needs to come off (5hrs labour) to carry out a full drainage check? Apart from the lower plugs are there top drainage areas to potentially clean out....or is this garage misleading me?
Only UK OEM White Manual
E85 3.0i SE Still Rolling!
Mileage 36,000 Miles
4 x White 3.0i OEM UK E85's Made...
= 2 UK Pre-Facelift / 2 UK Facelift
E85 3.0i SE Still Rolling!
Mileage 36,000 Miles
4 x White 3.0i OEM UK E85's Made...
= 2 UK Pre-Facelift / 2 UK Facelift
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Clean out soft-top drain
After long reading about this subject, along with the roof motor relocation inside the trunk, I can tell you that your BMW specialist is right.tomoz4white wrote: ↑Sat Jun 03, 2017 10:23 am I spoke to my local bmw specialist and they claimed that the roof needs to come off (5hrs labour) to carry out a full drainage check? Apart from the lower plugs are there top drainage areas to potentially clean out....or is this garage misleading me?
Top drainage area (one in each side of the car) has a very tiny hole and dirt blocks it very easily.
The biggest issue is that one of the drainage areas (passenger side in UK) holds the roof motor and when that area is clogged, it gets flooded and destroys the roof engine.
You have a lot of info about these issues not only here in the forum, but in the web.
- Smartbear
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Clean out soft-top drain
Get the roof motor relocated to the boot where it won't get wet again, plenty on here about this job.
Don't pay the garage 5 hours labour to remove the roof, that's just madness
Rob
Don't pay the garage 5 hours labour to remove the roof, that's just madness
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
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e85 3.0si sold
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Clean out soft-top drain
My roof motor has been relocated, but is now wet as I think the drains have over flowed due to being so blocked and have made the boot wet on both sides!
Today's task is so fix this!
Z4 now sold ![Sad :(](./images/smilies/sad.gif)
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- colb
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Clean out soft-top drain
Twist and tug them downwards, if you have the rear wheels off yo can see them once you take the small inspection panel off the wheel arch liner. At a pinch you might get your hand up from underneath the sill if your wheels are still on.
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Z Shed Cymru member
1999 1.8 Z3
2003 2.5 Z4
1998 Honda Deauville 650
If the forum helped you, why not help the forum back. Thats the Z4 way!![Thumbs Up :thumbsup:](./images/smilies/smilie_thumbsup.gif)
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1999 1.8 Z3
2003 2.5 Z4
1998 Honda Deauville 650
If the forum helped you, why not help the forum back. Thats the Z4 way!
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Clean out soft-top drain
Here is a video of me clearing my drain plugs recently. Quick and easy job!
https://youtu.be/760UuY92Tpc
https://youtu.be/760UuY92Tpc
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Clean out soft-top drain
I've had a poke of mine this morning with a fibreglass pole kit. One side was blocked and one wasn't. It's improved as I can now hear it draining under the car and can see it. I'll need to get the wheel off for a proper look
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Clean out soft-top drain
Removed the drain plugs of my MR today (and keeping them off).
I cleaned the pipes from the bottom (was getting stuck half way), and the top with a coat hanger wire, and a stiff bamboo type stick.
Would definitely recommend to clean from top and bottom. The gunk in mine was nearer the top. Just removing the plugs didn't cause the gush of water coming out - that only happened after threading the top wire down.
Was a lot harder to see where I was threading the wire on the passenger side than drivers side, because the roof motor impeded the view. Was recommended to raise the roof by 45° which allowed a clearer view in.
Is investing in an airline a good idea? Keen to keep the car original if possible and not relocate the roof
I cleaned the pipes from the bottom (was getting stuck half way), and the top with a coat hanger wire, and a stiff bamboo type stick.
Would definitely recommend to clean from top and bottom. The gunk in mine was nearer the top. Just removing the plugs didn't cause the gush of water coming out - that only happened after threading the top wire down.
Was a lot harder to see where I was threading the wire on the passenger side than drivers side, because the roof motor impeded the view. Was recommended to raise the roof by 45° which allowed a clearer view in.
Is investing in an airline a good idea? Keen to keep the car original if possible and not relocate the roof
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2007 ///M Roadster
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