2004 Z4, E85.
Background:
Have owned it for 5 years, garage kept, 86K miles. I believe that it was garage kept most of its life. Just got it back from a local mechanic who kept it outside for over 2 months, rain and shine.
Since I got it back I have put the top down and up twice. First down all sounded normal, first up I heard an odd squeak, hard to describe. Second down sounded okay, second up the squeak again and I could hear the motor running for a short time after it was completely up.
Questions:
1 – Coincidence, that it happened after 2 months outside? I did check the drain plug on the motor side (after the first up), a little bit of debris but dry. Or did sitting outside for that amount of time contribute to the issue?
2 – After calling a different mechanic about the repair, he told me the top had to come off and the part is only supplied by BMW. I know that the motor and pump are available from many suppliers. His quote $2300 USD!
3 – If you suggest doing the repair myself (I have watched a lot of videos on this repair/relocation), would you recommend getting both pump and motor or just the motor?
4 – I have seen pump/motor assembly from less than $200 to over $400 USD. The $400 part was a URO Parts brand. Are they all the same quality or is it worth spending more?
5 – if I get both pump and motor, how are the hydraulic hoses disconnected and reconnected?
6 – when I get it out, if it appears that it is low on fluid, what fluid is recommended?
7 – a coworker suggested that I just put it up and down several times hoping it might work since it was sitting for some time without being used, make sense or not? I mean it has sat in my garage over 4 winters and didn’t seem to suffer from not being used.
Sorry for the long post but these are questions that I have before I tackle this job.
Background:
Have owned it for 5 years, garage kept, 86K miles. I believe that it was garage kept most of its life. Just got it back from a local mechanic who kept it outside for over 2 months, rain and shine.
Since I got it back I have put the top down and up twice. First down all sounded normal, first up I heard an odd squeak, hard to describe. Second down sounded okay, second up the squeak again and I could hear the motor running for a short time after it was completely up.
Questions:
1 – Coincidence, that it happened after 2 months outside? I did check the drain plug on the motor side (after the first up), a little bit of debris but dry. Or did sitting outside for that amount of time contribute to the issue?
2 – After calling a different mechanic about the repair, he told me the top had to come off and the part is only supplied by BMW. I know that the motor and pump are available from many suppliers. His quote $2300 USD!
3 – If you suggest doing the repair myself (I have watched a lot of videos on this repair/relocation), would you recommend getting both pump and motor or just the motor?
4 – I have seen pump/motor assembly from less than $200 to over $400 USD. The $400 part was a URO Parts brand. Are they all the same quality or is it worth spending more?
5 – if I get both pump and motor, how are the hydraulic hoses disconnected and reconnected?
6 – when I get it out, if it appears that it is low on fluid, what fluid is recommended?
7 – a coworker suggested that I just put it up and down several times hoping it might work since it was sitting for some time without being used, make sense or not? I mean it has sat in my garage over 4 winters and didn’t seem to suffer from not being used.
Sorry for the long post but these are questions that I have before I tackle this job.