Broken drain pipe

E

ERX

Member
Well recently I have made a thread about cleaning the inside of my soft top due to a smell in the car. It was suggested that a cause could be that the drain pipe on the passenger side is blocked and this can cause water to overflow into the car, under the seat. I didn't get round to cleaning the drain hole until after it rained (and the car suddenly smelt a lot worse, and I realised it had been a damp smell all along).

So taking a look at the drain pipe from underneath, it didn't seem like there was really any dirt. With some further inspection from above, it was evident that some idiot before me has hacked at the area where the drain pipe is connected to the car, completely breaking the pipe free from the actual drain hole, so the pipe actually isn't collecting water as it should. I have attached a picture for you guys to see what I mean. The plastic has been broken so there is now just a big hole in it and you can see the pipe just floating freely.

Would this be the most likely cause of my water leaking issue?

Spent all day trying to make a temporary fix for the pipe but it was no good in the end. Going to buy a new pipe and new plastic for it to connect to.

The main reason for this post is I would like to know if there is any easy way of accessing that drain hole area without taking the whole roof off, as I am not looking forwards to that :(
 

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I think I'm right in saying that the cubby where the roof sits has absolutely no aperture where water could get from the 'swimming pools' on either side where the drains are, in to the car interior. It looks like someone has popped the drain right out to improve flow and prevent blockages which is a bodge, but shouldn't cause water inside the cabin. It's not ideal as dirt, noise and spiders will get in but isn't going to cause anything tragic.

Water under the seat is more likely the membrane inside the door being breached, or possibly the door/window seals. The membrane stops water from running down the window, through the door in to the car and are disturbed when fixing the common window regulator issue.
Previous thread: https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=94907
 
If the pipe has become detached from the plastic drain tray, then it's a roof off job I'm afraid.

Did one a few weeks ago with same problem. Takes about 90 mins.

Mike
 
There’s a few places water seems to creep into these cars and while you’re on a mission suggest you check everything

- under the bonnet (hood), I seem to remember there’s a flap towards the back of the engine bay that lets water escape from the windscreen wiper air vents which can get blocked
- window seals. With the vert constantly dropping & raising at each door operation, these get harder & worn over time
- underneath door seal. Coming back from silverstone in a torrential downpour I once had water come in on the passenger side, which again was a worn seal
- boot. I never had an issue, but some have found either the boot seal or drain flooding finds its way here
- windscreen. If it’s ever been repaired, there’s always the chance has not been sealed properly

Otherwise good hunting
 
Thanks all for the responses. I quickly tested a few of the things mentioned but they seem to be okay. I will have to test them more thoroughly when I can get the hose out.
Ducklakeview said:
If the pipe has become detached from the plastic drain tray, then it's a roof off job I'm afraid.

Did one a few weeks ago with same problem. Takes about 90 mins.

Mike
Click to expand...

Ah that is a shame to hear. Do you know if the car you fixed had any problems with leaks inside from the pipe being detached?

Just for everyone's information, the new hose and new plastic funnel will cost around £50 in total (about £31 for the funnel and £20 for the hose).
 
This may be a silly question but you are aware that the roof motor sits above the drain hole on the passenger side making it more likely that it will flood in this area and it is more difficult to check that the drain pipes are clear. You need to avail yourself of the services of a forum member to move the motor into the boot. Whilst doing this it will become clear whether or not the drain holes are blocked.
Another area where water can get into the cabin is if the area under the scuttle gets clogged with leaves etc which blocks the front drain holes and allows water into the cabin. I only took my scuttle cover off a few weeks ago. It is tricky as the clips are all plastic and you need to be careful particularly the 4 along the front edge. Get a few from ebay before tackling.
 
Mike6 said:
This may be a silly question but you are aware that the roof motor sits above the drain hole on the passenger side making it more likely that it will flood in this area and it is more difficult to check that the drain pipes are clear. You need to avail yourself of the services of a forum member to move the motor into the boot. Whilst doing this it will become clear whether or not the drain holes are blocked.
Another area where water can get into the cabin is if the area under the scuttle gets clogged with leaves etc which blocks the front drain holes and allows water into the cabin. I only took my scuttle cover off a few weeks ago. It is tricky as the clips are all plastic and you need to be careful particularly the 4 along the front edge. Get a few from ebay before tackling.
Click to expand...

My roof motor has been relocated to the boot already. What you see in the picture is the drain pipe, floating freely, which is supposed to be connected to a plastic funnel. The funnel hole is usually much smaller, but there is now a large hole as you can see in the picture as somebody has broken the funnel and the hose.

I had a look at the scuttle area, it doesn't appear to be clogged with anything but I haven't taken the cover off.
 
You do need to remove the scuttle cover. Others have reported a fair build up of debris under there, mine was not that bad as car does not live outdoors.
 
The front scuttle drain is covered here and can cause a lot of water to slosh about once it's blocked
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=40973&p=576732#p576732

P1000706.JPGP1000707.JPG
 
Ewazix said:
The front scuttle drain is covered here and can cause a lot of water to slosh about once it's blocked
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=40973&p=576732#p576732

P1000706.JPGP1000707.JPG
Click to expand...

Thanks for the photo, I will give this a proper look over tomorrow :)
 
Ducklakeview said:
If the pipe has become detached from the plastic drain tray, then it's a roof off job I'm afraid.

Did one a few weeks ago with same problem. Takes about 90 mins.

Mike
Click to expand...

That is probably only because it is you, i think most people would take much longer.
 
Took the roof off yesterday, surprisingly it wasn't too bad a job. Now today I will have to figure out how to take off the plastic trim that is underneath the roll hoop covers and under the bit where the seat belt guide is.

Got some pictures of the new drain parts as well, I will upload later for people wondering what it looks like in there.
 
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