Front drain cleaning - leaks & wiper faults? NOT roof drain

E

Ewazix

Veteran
 Somerset
After washing I noticed there was a decent pond in the air intake channel and under the front screen, delving around I finally found the drain in the engine bay which was blocked with a pile of compost! I Scooped a good mug-full out and it seems OK now, although there is still some rubbish under the intake grill but I didn't have time to work out how to get to it?

Could this could cause leaks in to the cabin? or threaten the wiper gear? either way a duck pond trapped in the bodywork is never a good thing so may be worth checking.

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The wiper gear is opposite from that area. (If I'm extrapolating for RHD correctly) There's a second drain that drains the opposite side. It's outlet should be quite high, behind the head. If that ponds, it would be very bad. And as you say ponding anywhere is bad. Good tip! :thumbsup:

I've been intending to remove that cowl panel cover to clean out debris and lubricate the wiper linkages. It took some digging to find the TIS page for it, so I'm posting the link here, partly to share, and partly so I can find it again:
http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/08/08/14

Looks to be easy enough to get off, I'm not sure how the grommets and inner clips play into it though. Sounds like they can break easily, and may be worth having some spares on hand. I can't figure out which bits the grommets are, the quantities on the parts list do not match the quantities illustrated in TIS (8). The bits should be listed here(?):
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BU53&mospid=49305&btnr=51_4961&hg=51&fg=80
This list is for my car, note the path to the page and then go back to "select another car" to get to your model specific list.
#28 is the inner clip, is #6 'plug' the same as the TIS 'grommet'? Quantity 2 vs. 8? :?

Can anyone confirm this is the right bit, or am I worrying too much, these things probably will not be broken?

Alt. names for search terms: Fresh air inlet grille trim behind bonnet (Yank hood) below windscreen / windshield
 
Good work BCW :thumbsup: I couldn't track down the TIS page but I'll be able to get right in and clear all the compost out now :thumbsup:

Clip removal tools are handy, there are quite a few kits available and save money on messed up clips which can cost a lot for what they are http://www.amazon.co.uk/PIECE-CAR-TRIM-REMOVAL-MOULDING/dp/B004OEL4LW/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_5
 
Checked mine today got a right heap of leaves and crud stuck inside the bottom flap part,thanks for the heads up!
 
andysat said:
Checked mine today got a right heap of leaves and crud stuck inside the bottom flap part,thanks for the heads up!
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No prob's, with the size of some of the stuff I was a bit stumped as to how it got there to be honest :?
 
I had the scuttle panel off to fix my wipers and I cleaned this whole area out while I was at it. Mine was actually very clean. The wiper motor sits between the wipers and there was absolutely no compost near it so i don't think it's at danger.

The panel is easy to get off but the housings on the panel that holds the clips in place are very fragile. I broke a few and had to superglue them. They are part of the panel rather than separate clips so can't be replaced. If you take care with a trim tool you shouldn't have a problem.

The only parts I would maybe advise having spare are the four plastic expansion rivets/screws that go along the front edge of the panel. The screws are made of fudge and will get rounded to hell while removing. I actually just replaced the plastic screws with metal ones instead.

Regarding blockages in this area. I had a Peugeot years ago that used to get puddles in the footwells. It turned out to be caused by the drain holes under the front window being blocked. The water would fill up and some how run down the back of the bulkhead. Not sure a BMW would have the same problem as they are generally put together a bit better.
 
Mowflow said:
I had the scuttle panel off to fix my wipers and I cleaned this whole area out while I was at it. Mine was actually very clean. The wiper motor sits between the wipers and there was absolutely no compost near it so i don't think it's at danger.

The panel is easy to get off but the housings on the panel that holds the clips in place are very fragile. I broke a few and had to superglue them. They are part of the panel rather than separate clips so can't be replaced. If you take care with a trim tool you shouldn't have a problem.

The only parts I would maybe advise having spare are the four plastic expansion rivets/screws that go along the front edge of the panel. The screws are made of fudge and will get rounded to hell while removing. I actually just replaced the plastic screws with metal ones instead.

Regarding blockages in this area. I had a Peugeot years ago that used to get puddles in the footwells. It turned out to be caused by the drain holes under the front window being blocked. The water would fill up and some how run down the back of the bulkhead. Not sure a BMW would have the same problem as they are generally put together a bit better.
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what was the process to remove the scuttle panel????, think id like to do some maintenance on this area and do a mass clean-out. thanks in advance, i cant remember its mounting points off hand.
 
Wiper arms off. Fuse box lid off. Remove the four crappy plastic screws along the front edge then slowly lift the panel from the bottom edge. I would advise sliding a trim tool under the panel when lifting to help pry the clips out.

There's a how to on here with lots of pics. Can't remember the exact title or link but if you do a general forum search for "wiper problem" you will find it.
 
Mowflow said:
The only parts I would maybe advise having spare are the four plastic expansion rivets/screws that go along the front edge of the panel. The screws are made of fudge and will get rounded to hell while removing. I actually just replaced the plastic screws with metal ones instead.
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Thread revival alert!! Mowflow can you help me, what metal screws did you use to replace the plastic ones? Did it work? Any pics? Thanks :)
 
Sorry flimper, I'd love to help but I only have a vague recollection of ever doing this job. I don't recall buying screws specifically for the job so they would just have been ones I had from a previous job.
 
No worries :) Had it all apart again today and it took us 2 hours to get the screws in, and even then one of them is not 100%. Complete ballache!
 
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