Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.
Roof woes
-
- Member
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 9:17 am
- Location: Glasgow
Roof woes
Hello,
I'm hoping for some expert advice on my roof woes.
Car is a February 2007 2.0l Sport. And the roof won't go up. I even tried popping some Viagra in the fuel tank but that didn't work.
The roof is fully down and all the roof warning lights are out. But press the button to raise it and the red light flashes immediately. I can hear a whirring sound which I take to be the electric motor but there's no movement suggesting that the hydraulics are knackered.
Microswitch at the rear of the shelf in the boot is in place and appears to be functioning.
Next problem. The red Bowden cable doesn't release the hydraulic pressure so the roof won't raise manually. I've given it a right old working out but I'm pretty convinced that it isn't releasing the bypass valve on the hydraulic pump. it's probably seized?
Any advice on next steps to take gratefully received. Although I suspect this may involve having to access the motor/pump and/or remove the soft top....
Thanks.
Ian.
I'm hoping for some expert advice on my roof woes.
Car is a February 2007 2.0l Sport. And the roof won't go up. I even tried popping some Viagra in the fuel tank but that didn't work.
The roof is fully down and all the roof warning lights are out. But press the button to raise it and the red light flashes immediately. I can hear a whirring sound which I take to be the electric motor but there's no movement suggesting that the hydraulics are knackered.
Microswitch at the rear of the shelf in the boot is in place and appears to be functioning.
Next problem. The red Bowden cable doesn't release the hydraulic pressure so the roof won't raise manually. I've given it a right old working out but I'm pretty convinced that it isn't releasing the bypass valve on the hydraulic pump. it's probably seized?
Any advice on next steps to take gratefully received. Although I suspect this may involve having to access the motor/pump and/or remove the soft top....
Thanks.
Ian.
Johnsi02 E89 30i sDrive
-
- Member
- Posts: 503
- Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2020 11:32 pm
Roof woes
Does the roof unlatch from the closed position before the motor runs?
If the latches aren't disengaging then they will prevent you from manually lifting the roof as you suggest in your post.
I think there is a way of manually disengaging the latch through the little access panel above the centre storage door.
If the latches aren't disengaging then they will prevent you from manually lifting the roof as you suggest in your post.
I think there is a way of manually disengaging the latch through the little access panel above the centre storage door.
2006 Z4 2.0i Ruby Black
-
- Member
- Posts: 503
- Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2020 11:32 pm
Roof woes
Sorry, I did mean to say 'does the roof unlatch from the open position'.
I believe the same applies for when the roof is open or closed; the latches must disengage before the hydraulics can move the roof.
I believe the same applies for when the roof is open or closed; the latches must disengage before the hydraulics can move the roof.
2006 Z4 2.0i Ruby Black
-
- Member
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 9:17 am
- Location: Glasgow
Roof woes
I understand.
The roof is apparently released from the catches. It's possible to raise it a bit but it's clearly being 'held' by hydraulic pressure. There's no way you could pull it up by hand, I don't reckon.
The roof is apparently released from the catches. It's possible to raise it a bit but it's clearly being 'held' by hydraulic pressure. There's no way you could pull it up by hand, I don't reckon.
Johnsi02 E89 30i sDrive
-
- Member
- Posts: 503
- Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2020 11:32 pm
Roof woes
Ah ok, that does confirm that it is not a problem with the latching mechanism.
It does sound like the release valve is stuck so I think you might need to dig the pump out of its drain funnel and free that up.
With the roof down that might be quite difficult.
Can it be lifted whilst a buddy holds down the button?
2006 Z4 2.0i Ruby Black
- colb
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1642
- Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2019 9:45 pm
- Location: Newport, South Wales UK
Roof woes
You are going to need to pull the motor/pump out to do any work on it and relocate it to the boot to prevent future trouble with it.
Sounds like the release valve is stuck since you had no joy with the red pull ring.
Follow this guide to get it out so there is no need to take the roof off. Done mine using this guide, just take your time.
https://zroadster.org/threads/z4-roof-m ... oot.19256/
Sounds like the release valve is stuck since you had no joy with the red pull ring.
Follow this guide to get it out so there is no need to take the roof off. Done mine using this guide, just take your time.
https://zroadster.org/threads/z4-roof-m ... oot.19256/
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!
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?c ... source=url
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!
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?c ... source=url
-
- Member
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 9:17 am
- Location: Glasgow
Roof woes
Oh boy.
Spent hours this afternoon trying to get the motor/pump out as per the guide above.
Hands completely shredded......
And it’s still in there.
Just can’t seem to either prise the top off or break the cable ties. Does everyone else have doll-sized hands or something?!
Any secret techniques gratefully appreciated.
Ian
Spent hours this afternoon trying to get the motor/pump out as per the guide above.
Hands completely shredded......
And it’s still in there.
Just can’t seem to either prise the top off or break the cable ties. Does everyone else have doll-sized hands or something?!
Any secret techniques gratefully appreciated.
Ian
Johnsi02 E89 30i sDrive
-
- Member
- Posts: 503
- Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2020 11:32 pm
Roof woes
Which side were you attacking from?
I had to snip some of the ties by feel, using a scalpel and then pop it loose by feeding my arm past the passenger headrest and applying some force to the housing.
My hands looked red raw by the end of it!
I had to snip some of the ties by feel, using a scalpel and then pop it loose by feeding my arm past the passenger headrest and applying some force to the housing.
My hands looked red raw by the end of it!
2006 Z4 2.0i Ruby Black
-
- Member
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 9:17 am
- Location: Glasgow
Roof woes
I’d had enough by 6pm.
But funnily enough I had decided to break out a scalpel tomorrow. I mean ..... what could possibly go wrong ?
Not planning on being beaten by a piece of stupid BMW design.
But funnily enough I had decided to break out a scalpel tomorrow. I mean ..... what could possibly go wrong ?
Not planning on being beaten by a piece of stupid BMW design.
Johnsi02 E89 30i sDrive
-
- Newbie
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2019 5:50 pm
Roof woes
Hows it going.. any luck.. Not sure if you follow the guide, there is some black glue thingy that you need to try to remove. I used 2 long screw drivers to pop the top off first before taking anything out.. Once the cap is off, you can pull the motor out.