Z4-forum.com

rjsimmons wrote:

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

I just watched this and wondered why you need the drain plug at all... Is it to keep spiders out?

i read somewhere else that the rubbers reduce the road noise sound

Taz wrote:i read somewhere else that the rubbers reduce the road noise sound

You read it here viewtopic.php?f=2&t=79188&start=15

Swiftly wrote:

Taz wrote:i read somewhere else that the rubbers reduce the road noise sound

You read it here viewtopic.php?f=2&t=79188&start=15

but with the roof down i'm sure it aint going to make the slightest difference

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.

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?

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?

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?

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.
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.

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

Smartbear wrote: ↑Fri Jul 21, 2017 11:53 am 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

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!

plblair1 wrote: ↑Mon May 30, 2011 8:22 pm Once the press fit rubber drains were removed

The drain nipples were easy but I tried and tried to remove the rubber drain tubes from the bottom...they won't budge...how did you remove them? thanks!

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.

Here is a video of me clearing my drain plugs recently. Quick and easy job!

https://youtu.be/760UuY92Tpc

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

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