New Owner - Convertible top fluid leak

[FLank_Sinatra]

Hey there! I've done searches on this topic, but I just wanted to post to make sure I understand the issue before taking it somewhere.

I just purchased a beautiful 2003 3.0 Z4 with a manual, the car drives great and it's very clean.

The top worked great for the first few days, no issues. But when I bought the car the previous owner said he just topped off the hydraulic fluid. I saw that the motor was already in the trunk which is great, that is a mod that I was going to do anyway.

Anyway, I went to put the top up on Saturday and it only went up half way, I was able to put it down all the the way by hand to get it to close.

I am now hearing a gurgling noise on the drivers side. I went and bought some fluid from autozone based on what I read, filled it up to the + mark, and when I ran the top I just heard fluid squirting out from where I heard the gurgling before.

Am I going to have to remove the top? I'm worried my good deal Z4 may live up to the quote I've said for years..There's no so thing as a cheap German car. But, i bought a Z4 because I know they are considered to be very reliable (especially the M54 engine!)

I'm in love with the car, I just hope there is a relatively inexpensive fix for this.

 

[enuff_zed]

You can unbolt the roof frame from the centre round to the left, unbolt the hinge and then lift that side far enough to support the base of the hinge assembly on the b-pillar and access the pipe. Most likely to be the lower one, number 12.

 

[FLank_Sinatra]

Sweet, so more than likely the line is just loose and I just take the roof party off and repair it? That's not too bad.

 

[enuff_zed]

Sweet, so more than likely the line is just loose and I just take the roof party off and repair it? That's not too bad.

Not exactly. More than likely the pipe has corroded at the end where it bends 90 degrees into the hydraulic ram. So you will need a new pipe.
However, it seems a common occurrence in the US for the hydraulic ram itself to develop a leak! Other US-based members should be able to advise on where to get it repaired if this is the case.

 

[FLank_Sinatra]

I just realized I accidently posted this in the wrong forum, it was supposed to be in the Problems board, sorry about that!

 

[Jas- USA]

Hey

With a little luck it will simply be line 12. If so, https://www.ebay.com/itm/134717349032 This same seller also offers the same two lines with a small extension of length for I believe 10.00 USD more. (I believe this is for in the trunk/booth) like yours is now located. It's your call which you get, the longer one gives you just a little more length and you also get new crush washers in both sets.

If it's the hinge lifter, I believe the same vender that sells the above hydraulic lines also re-builds hinge lifters. There is also a vender in the State of Washington that re-builds hinge lifters. Enuff-Zed is totally on point, I've notice that a lot of UK cars don't have Hinge lifter problems but, do have line issues. Whereas, USA cars have a lot of hinge lifter failures. I think it might be the weather and physical location. In that, a lot of southern locations in the USA can go top down 12 months a year get a lot of use and cars in the north might get use only for 6 months.

If it's hinge lifters, it's a top off repair and DO BOTH LIFTERS

 

[Mr Tidy]

Welcome to the forum with your good looking Z4.

Hopefully fixing your roof won't be too involved, or expensive!

 

[FLank_Sinatra]

I appreciate it!

Welcome to the forum with your good looking Z4.

Hopefully fixing your roof won't be too involved, or expensive!

 

[FLank_Sinatra]

Hey

With a little luck it will simply be line 12. If so, https://www.ebay.com/itm/134717349032 This same seller also offers the same two lines with a small extension of length for I believe 10.00 USD more. (I believe this is for in the trunk/booth) like yours is now located. It's your call which you get, the longer one gives you just a little more length and you also get new crush washers in both sets.

If it's the hinge lifter, I believe the same vender that sells the above hydraulic lines also re-builds hinge lifters. There is also a vender in the State of Washington that re-builds hinge lifters. Enuff-Zed is totally on point, I've notice that a lot of UK cars don't have Hinge lifter problems but, do have line issues. Whereas, USA cars have a lot of hinge lifter failures. I think it might be the weather and physical location. In that, a lot of southern locations in the USA can go top down 12 months a year get a lot of use and cars in the north might get use only for 6 months.

If it's hinge lifters, it's a top off repair and DO BOTH LIFTERS

Awesome advise, thank you so much!