35i roof self closing

[uz4]

I needed to check rear light cluster and opened convertible roof half way to allow access into boot. The rear part (boot lid) was in vertical position but after a few minutes it started to close by itself. Obviously some hydraulic or gas strut system has malfunctioned. What should I be worried about and how serious a problem?
Thanks for any advice.

[Chippie]

I take it you turned the engine off?
If so then that’s normal as without the engine running the hydraulic pump will loose pressure and the roof will lower on it’s own.

[uz4]

Ok thanks for that. No panic then. Had such a dread there was a major issue and potentially costing megabucks to fix.

[Timmyboybunter]

I'm sure there's no problem here, but it sounds like 2 different bits of the car being discussed.

OP mentions the 'boot lid' closing from vertical after a few minutes - mine doesn't do that, it stays vertical.

Agree with Chippie though, the other 2 sections of the roof (which lift and fold into the boot) will only hold their position in the air for a couple of minutes before they gently lower (which is a pain when you're trying to clean windows or lubricate mechanism parts!)

[mcbutler]

I take it you turned the engine off?
If so then that’s normal as without the engine running the hydraulic pump will loose pressure and the roof will lower on it’s own.

Not so sure about that Chippie, I have often had my roof in the same position the OP mentions and it does not drop, you cant move it by hand either!
Hydraulic pressure in a system does not generally drop once the pump stops. For example if you raise the arm of a JCB, turn off the engine and park it the arm does not drop.....

[acm]

Hi,

See E89 2013 Putting roof in service position - the key (sic) is to remove the key from the igntion

Although, on the newtis instructions it does say prop up the boot lid with something suitable when working on the Z4 with the boot in the upright position. Probably out of an abundance of caution from BMW

Cheers!
Andy

[Timmyboybunter]

Good shout - wish I knew about removing the key when I lubed mine up last year, was a right pain

[flybobbie]

Boot always settles back down. Just make sure the roof bit is fully up or down. It tends to stay put longer than boot if half way.

[JimP]

Good shout - wish I knew about removing the key when I lubed mine up last year, was a right pain

I had thought about lubricating the roof mechanism. Is it necessary, and if so, is there a guide to doing it? Jim

[Jay-Jay]

I had thought about lubricating the roof mechanism. Is it necessary, and if so, is there a guide to doing it? Jim
[/quote]

Hey Jim, I'm looking to do this too on mine, I found a really good youtube video: https://youtu.be/cWltc7C4VVc

But from reading other posts the grease is not needed or not as much, Im still trying to work that out, I was looking to purchase some Wd40 White Lithuim grease

[RobbiZ4]

Good shout - wish I knew about removing the key when I lubed mine up last year, was a right pain

I had thought about lubricating the roof mechanism. Is it necessary, and if so, is there a guide to doing it? Jim

Oh no, no, no. Drop that video, it's nonsense.

Have a look at this explanation:
viewtopic.php?p=1829490#p1829490

[RobbiZ4]

See E89 2013 Putting roof in service position - the key (sic) is to remove the key from the ignition

That is correct.
When the solenoids in the hydraulic pump are shut down, the pressure lowers in the rear roof shell. There is a different behaviour on all 3 hydraulic circuits. If a hydraulic pump with 4 solenoids is mounted, the behaviour differs once again.