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Photos - checking drains instead of going on a run

paulgs1000
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Photos - checking drains instead of going on a run

Post by paulgs1000 » Fri May 01, 2015 7:22 pm

Chezsherman told me he had checked his roof drains and I was keen to see how he'd done this.
Cherrym said we could meet at his garage and check all three Zeds - great idea!

I took a few photos and it was a fairly straightforward task so I thought I'd post them up to encourage others to have a go.
Considering the cost of a roof motor replacement it would be a useful check. It's certainly good to know all of our Zeds are fine!

There are drains on both sides of the Zed and you will need to remove the rear wheel first so that you can remove this panel

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It's held on with a 10mm bolt top centre and two star drive bolts either side
TAKE NOTE - there is another 8mm bolt beneath the sill that needs removing before the panel can come away. If you look under the sill you will see a plastic retaining section (see next photo - poor image) IT IS THE 8mm BOLT IN THE TOP RIGHT CORNER OF THE PHOTO BELOW THAT NEEDS REMOVING. It's a bit awkward but very short and doesn't take many turns to remove.

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When you have removed the three fasteners at the top and the one small bolt underneath you will be able to remove the panel.

The panel has been removed in this next photo and where the torch is shining is where you will find the small bolt. I found I had to get my head right underneath the sill to see it clearly (SO MAKE CERTAIN THE ZED IS SECURE)

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It's just up and slightly forward from this point that you'll find this cap (see next photo) fitted to the end of the drain channel

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It fits into a groove all the way around the end of the drain channel and I found it a bit awkward to remove as it was tight but it does come off.
On Craig's Zed this part (see next photo) also came away from the end of the drain channel

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This just pushes up into the end of the channel and it makes fitting the caps easier as they can be fitted first onto this and then this pushed securely into the end of the drain channel.

Mike had a length of wire with a brush on each end which we used to push up the drain channels and check they were clear (a useful piece of kit - it's a flexible 'snake' cleaning brush for a trumpet or cornet - see on ebay - that he'd previously bought for use on an MX5). Craig had used a piece of coat hanger wire previously. The drivers side should push up through the top of the channel into the roof storage area. The passenger side drain channel wont push all the way through as the roof motor is in the way - (go steady you don't want to damage the motor or the watertight seal on facelift motors).

Once you've checked that the channels are clear (I've heard some owners then pour water in at the top to check this - we didn't bother) you can replace the panel - fit it at the bottom first - the small bolt can be a bit awkward but not that difficult) then the three fasteners at the top. Check all is secure and then replace the wheel - job done.

We all left the drain covers off - they are quite difficult to refit but the main reason was that we felt they would just retain any obstructions and cause water not to flow freely (despite the thin open slits)

Not a very technical 'How to' but I hope it encourages some to have a go - use in conjunction with other guides if necessary.

It's good to know that all three Zeds are ok and we'll probably have another checking session some time in the future.

Thanks Craig and thanks Mike :thumbsup:

:driving: :thumbsup:
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Smartbear
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Re: Photos - checking drains instead of going on a run

Post by Smartbear » Fri May 01, 2015 7:39 pm

It's a good idea to check these regularly, it is possible to do without removing any wheels or panels with a bit of manual dexterity :wink:
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paulgs1000
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Re: Photos - checking drains instead of going on a run

Post by paulgs1000 » Fri May 01, 2015 7:46 pm

Just been talking about that with Mike - think once you've done it and know where the drain channel is then you can get in without removing the panel and wheels for future checks.

:driving: :thumbsup:
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Re: Photos - checking drains instead of going on a run

Post by Rob_benton » Thu May 07, 2015 2:20 pm

So if I feed a curtain wire up the hole from the wheel arch will it easily find the roof motor bowl hole or should I push the wire up and down a few times ?
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Re: Photos - checking drains instead of going on a run

Post by Rob_benton » Thu May 07, 2015 2:24 pm

I've just brought eBay item 171733491877

Worth a go. Thanks for all the advice
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Re: Photos - checking drains instead of going on a run

Post by lmario » Thu May 07, 2015 2:30 pm

@Rob: Brilliant solution!
(Why didn't I think of that..... :headbang: )

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andysat
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Re: Photos - checking drains instead of going on a run

Post by andysat » Fri May 08, 2015 5:28 pm

Yeah -I agree I left mine off.
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RickRob
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Re: Photos - checking drains instead of going on a run

Post by RickRob » Fri May 08, 2015 5:36 pm

Thanks for the post.

I am now inspired to do mine when I have a week's holiday the week after next. Should be enough time, even for me! :P
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Re: Photos - checking drains instead of going on a run

Post by Tricky Dicky » Fri May 08, 2015 7:05 pm

Forgive my ignorance folks ,but are there similar drain holes on the E89 , if yes where are they, :thumbsup:
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Re: Photos - checking drains instead of going on a run

Post by MrPT » Fri May 08, 2015 11:34 pm

Good write up. :thumbsup:
paulgs1000 wrote: On Craig's Zed this part (see next photo) also came away from the end of the drain channel

...

This just pushes up into the end of the channel and it makes fitting the caps easier as they can be fitted first onto this and then this pushed securely into the end of the drain channel.
Yes. So much easier than putting the rubber thing back on!
Once you've checked that the channels are clear (I've heard some owners then pour water in at the top to check this...
Made a vid a while ago of just how much water goes through when the drains are clear. Might be handy as a reference for others:



I was pretty shocked how much water flowed through after clearing mine. Anything substantially less than this and there's probably some kind of blockage.
We all left the drain covers off - they are quite difficult to refit but the main reason was that we felt they would just retain any obstructions and cause water not to flow freely (despite the thin open slits)
I ran with mine off for a while but I swear it increased noise from the n/s rear wheel arch. Might have been imaging things though.
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Re: Photos - checking drains instead of going on a run

Post by STUBOY2UK » Tue Nov 24, 2015 2:34 pm

MrPT wrote: I ran with mine off for a while but I swear it increased noise from the n/s rear wheel arch. Might have been imaging things though.
I took mine off the other week and the road noise has definitely, noticeably increased on my daily commute down the motorway.

Does anyone know what part number they are as I binned them? :?
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Re: Photos - checking drains instead of going on a run

Post by cj10jeeper » Tue Nov 24, 2015 3:27 pm

The bungs are there to reduce road noise and they do make a difference. Leaving them out creates 2 very neat sound tubes from the noisy tyre/road area direct into the cabin. Sure the Z4 is hardly silent but all adds up.
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Re: Photos - checking drains instead of going on a run

Post by Taz » Tue Nov 24, 2015 3:50 pm

paulgs1000 wrote:Just been talking about that with Mike - think once you've done it and know where the drain channel is then you can get in without removing the panel and wheels for future checks.

:driving: :thumbsup:
correct, when i was looking at a car for wingman i checked all the cars without removing wheels, first poke yer finger through the bung to see if the are blocked then pour water down and confirm it pours out without any issues

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Re: Photos - checking drains instead of going on a run

Post by Swiftly » Tue Nov 24, 2015 7:32 pm

STUBOY2UK wrote:
I took mine off the other week and the road noise has definitely, noticeably increased on my daily commute down the motorway.

Does anyone know what part number they are as I binned them? :?
The part you need is number 18 http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=54_0315
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Re: Photos - checking drains instead of going on a run

Post by Bing » Tue Nov 24, 2015 8:03 pm

Removing the rubber bungs does increase road noise slightly, it was done when I had my roof motor replaced on my last Z. It's one of the BMW recommended actions when replacing the roof motor. As is drilling the drain holes slightly larger at the top.

Paul will never notice though because his roof is almost permanently down :lol:
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