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Roof leaking hydraulic fluid

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strugglinauthor
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Roof leaking hydraulic fluid

Post by strugglinauthor » Sun Sep 06, 2020 12:10 pm

I've seen several posts from people with a similar issue. I last dropped my roof a few weeks ago and I don't know if the problem manifested then or subsequently. However, I was refuelling the other day with the rear quarter window down and noticed liquid that looked as though it had been sprayed onto the side of the driver's headrest. I pulled the seat forward and lo and behold, everything behind there had had a good old soaking in light oil, which I take to be hydraulic fluid.

My first thought is to take the car to a dealer but I've seen some horrifying figures quoted and I'm assuming that a BMW specialist (there's one quite near me) is unlikely to have the specialist skills to do the work.

However, I've seen a website for a company called Hoodtech, based in Warrington. They have plenty of positive reviews but it's quite a drive from where I live and so I wondered whether anyone on here had used them?

Thanks.

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mr.tourette
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Roof leaking hydraulic fluid

Post by mr.tourette » Sun Sep 06, 2020 1:39 pm

nope but 85 reviews on Google that are mostly 5 star with the odd low of 4 would be good enough for me, website suggests they know their stuff and reviews back that up.. id go anywhere other than a main dealer to be honest, they're all bandits :cry:
if its got tits or tyres..its trouble :D

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Stuartt
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Roof leaking hydraulic fluid

Post by Stuartt » Sun Sep 06, 2020 4:31 pm

I had that on my first E89, I fixed it myself.

Once you locate and identify the hose that’s leaking, there are 2 to that area. You can buy the hose from cabriolet roof hoses and replace it.

It’s a bit of a faff but doable as a diy.

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strugglinauthor
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Roof leaking hydraulic fluid

Post by strugglinauthor » Sun Sep 06, 2020 6:38 pm

Thanks for the responses, both.

...and I like the idea of having a go myself but I suspect there be dragons lurking under that roof! :evil:

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BMWZ4MC
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Roof leaking hydraulic fluid

Post by BMWZ4MC » Mon Sep 07, 2020 3:01 am

I fixed a hydraulic leak on an SLK folding roof a number of years ago by replacing all the perished seals in the actuators. My three pieces of advice from that experience are:
1 - Don’t get hydraulic oil on the roof lining or carpets. It’s almost impossible to get out.
2 - Don’t run the roof whilst it’s leaking (see point one)
3 - Fix it yourself - main dealers quote exorbitant amounts to remedy the problem and direct questioning reveals they often have little idea of the nature of the problem (although an indy with specific experience is a different proposition).
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strugglinauthor
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Roof leaking hydraulic fluid

Post by strugglinauthor » Mon Sep 07, 2020 7:21 pm

BMWZ4MC wrote: Mon Sep 07, 2020 3:01 am I fixed a hydraulic leak on an SLK folding roof a number of years ago by replacing all the perished seals in the actuators. My three pieces of advice from that experience are:
1 - Don’t get hydraulic oil on the roof lining or carpets. It’s almost impossible to get out.
2 - Don’t run the roof whilst it’s leaking (see point one)
3 - Fix it yourself - main dealers quote exorbitant amounts to remedy the problem and direct questioning reveals they often have little idea of the nature of the problem (although an indy with specific experience is a different proposition).
Thanks for the pointers. Unfortunately the carpet has already had a dousing so when this is all over I may call upon the valet... :)

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