Gogo said:
In the 16 months I have had my Zed the roof has always worked quickly and smoothly. Also the drains were clear when I got it and I kept them that way. When i raised the roof yesterday evening it closed very slowly and then stopped working. I had an auto electrician run the diagnostics and from an electrical point of view it all seemed to working fine - the claws work and it said the pump was working when the roof up/ roof down functions were selected. So it looks like a candidate for a new motor!
I live in Huddersfield in Yorkshire. Any recommendation for someone within reasonable distance who can diagnose/fix this?
Check the roof fuses in the glove box and the microswitch in the boot while you're at it, but it sounds like your motor has drowned over the winter. Bear in mind that even if you keep your roof drains perfectly clear the exit hole is no more than 10-12mm and the motor housing is pretty much sitting over it restricting flow. So in a heavy downpour the drain will fill up and once water gets into the housing it can't get out so it's only a matter of time before the motor gets drowned.
Consider doing the job yourself, it's not difficult though if you're over 5'7" consider shoving someone else into the boot to undo the hoop bolts as it's pretty tight unless you're double-jointed.
I just used Shipkiller's guide, took my time and took the roof off the first time in 3 hours. The second time when I realised I'd switched the motor leads it took me 30 mins total.
The benefit of doing it yourself is that firstly you save a shiteload of money, not only on labour but also because you CAN salvage your motor, you just need to unbolt it from the hydraulic unit and dry it out.
Secondly when you put everything back, you'll take the opportunity to seal the motor housing up properly with silicone sealant and do the job that BMW should have done, right?
Even if you're a complete klutz where it comes to anything practical, you must know someone who isn't, so offer them some beer, sex, whatever, just take your time, book a weekend and get it done.
Tools-wise you just need some torx bits, WD40 to give the kiss of life to the motor and silicone sealant, that's it.
