Roof Motor Failure - recommendation for mechanic

[Griffster]

Hi all, I'm a new member to the forum, although I have found fixes to some problems on here in the past, so thanks to all you contributers!

Short story:
I'm looking for someone in/near East Anglia who can fix the roof motor workout needing a replacement or removing the roof. I'd have thought I'd be asking for the tooth fairy if I hadn't heard about the fantastic @ducklakeview

Long story:
I have a beautiful E85 '07 that I've had for about 4 years. I have a very limited (no) understanding of mechanics, but have managed to follow some fixes on here, however this particular fix is going to require more knowledge than I posess.

Having not used my Z4 for a few months (new baby) other than shunting it up and down the drive, I took it out for a run today. Firstly it needed a jump start, but ran well after that, however the roof now won't go down. I've not had issues with it before. It unlocks but then silence, which I'm sure is the motor. Have tried the drain test and it is slow to drain on the paassenger side.

I'd like to get this fixed and have seen the fantastic advice from @ducklakeview Mike. I'd love to take my car up to him, but I can't take my baby with me (no airbag off switch), so I'm hoping there's somewhere I can take the car within a few hours drive of Suffolk, anyone able to help?

 

[Rockhopper]

If the motor cannot be saved then a new one is about £150 plus the cost of fitting it and moving it into the boot so around £300 all in I’d say.

 

[Roberltd2]

Best thing I ever did. Motor came back to life even though it had obviously been semi submerged in water for a long time (months / year plus). Get it relocated by all means.

 

[ph001]

Durham Dave would do the whole job for about £80 but the further south you go the more you pay! Unlikely the motor will need replacing tbh, but you need to clear those bungs out asap.

 

[Crazy Harry]

Hi from a fellow east anglian Zed owner - quite a few of us on the forum now from Norfolk and Suffolk.

You're living in a desert as far a roof motor servicing is concerned. DLV is in the North West and is about as far away in time as Durham Dave. Nearest to us is I think Bowser134 in Hampshire or Number5 in Bristol. A group of us paid DLV to come down to Cambridge and spend a day moving motors - if you can't get that sort of deal then its a day out.

Have you done a search of the forum regarding turning the passenger airbag off?

 

[Mr Tidy]

Welcome to the forum by the way.

I hope you know we like to see photos!

As Crazy Harry says your only other options would be Ross (Bowser134) in Hampshire, Number 5 near Bristol or possibly PDJ who is mainly Manchester but sometimes Cleethorpes.

If you make a couple more posts you would be able to send any of them a PM.

 

[enuff_zed]

Hi and welcome.
Funnily enough, I have just this morning mentioned very much the same thing, as I'm in mid-Norfolk.
Keep in touch and if we can get a few together we can either get someone up our way to do them, or do a road trip to Hampshire. It's only a couple of hours for me and Bowser gets a very good press on here.

 

[Griffster]

Have you done a search of the forum regarding turning the passenger airbag off?

Thank you Crazy Harry. I've not searched this, but will give it a go.

Great idea about getting a group together in need. Will see if there are others who'd like it done too.

 

[Griffster]

Keep in touch and if we can get a few together we can either get someone up our way to do them, or do a road trip to Hampshire. It's only a couple of hours for me and Bowser gets a very good press on here.

Great, will keep in touch. Thank you

 

[Griffster]

Thanks for all of your replies, I'm really chuffed. I've posted on other forums in the past and never had replies, so I'm really greatful to you all.
Here's a photo of her:

 

[Number5]

Yes Bowser is probably your nearest.

Bowser and I have been talking about the possibility of us both heading over that direction for a weekend and doing a group session but have nothing concrete in place.

Just an idea at this stage.

We’d need an indoor location so that bad weather doesn’t ruin plans. Anybody have access to a large garage or Small corner of a warehouse that we could use for a weekend 50+ miles or so North East of London ?

 

[Chrisbw]

Hi All

Be gentle with me, newbie and first post. Have roof problems like everyone else, motor failing. Want to manually lower but wont budge. Have tried fidldling (technical term) with the red hydraulic override thingy in the boot but its doing b.gger all. Any ideas how i might lower roof before I can arrange a new motor to be fitted?

Cheers
Chris

 

[Griffster]

Any ideas how i might lower roof before I can arrange a new motor to be fitted?

Make sure you turn the red pull a quarter turn so that it doesn't just pop back in. If the roof unlocks and opens an inch then stops you can easily push the roof down, if you can't, it sounds like something else.
(One complete newb to another)

 

[Griffster]

We’d need an indoor location so that bad weather doesn’t ruin plans. Anybody have access to a large garage or Small corner of a warehouse that we could use for a weekend 50+ miles or so North East of London ?

I'll ask around. This would be fantastic if it happens.

 

[enuff_zed]

We’d need an indoor location so that bad weather doesn’t ruin plans. Anybody have access to a large garage or Small corner of a warehouse that we could use for a weekend 50+ miles or so North East of London ?

I'll ask around. This would be fantastic if it happens.

Yes Bowser is probably your nearest.

Bowser and I have been talking about the possibility of us both heading over that direction for a weekend and doing a group session but have nothing concrete in place.

Just an idea at this stage.

We’d need an indoor location so that bad weather doesn’t ruin plans. Anybody have access to a large garage or Small corner of a warehouse that we could use for a weekend 50+ miles or so North East of London ?

How much space do you need around the car?
I have a car port, with the car about a foot from the wall on the passenger side it is possible to open the driver's door fully.
Would that give sufficient access?
It is long enough to easily keep rain off.
It is on gravel though.
Room for a couple more cars on the drive, and could swap them around as needed.
Can't put you up, but there is a decent hotel about a mile away. On the A11 roundabout where that white van went airborne a year or so back (if you saw that on Youtube)

 

[Chrisbw]

Griffster thanks for the reply, tried that several times and its definitely locked in the out position but still way too much pressure to push down. Could it be an issue with one of the hydraulic lines?

Ive read that the first thing i should do is to clear drain holes. Have read conflicting instructions. Do i need to remove wheel and or wheel arch panel?

Thanks

 

[Griffster]

Yes Bowser is probably your nearest.

Bowser and I have been talking about the possibility of us both heading over that direction for a weekend and doing a group session but have nothing concrete in place.

Just an idea at this stage.

We’d need an indoor location so that bad weather doesn’t ruin plans. Anybody have access to a large garage or Small corner of a warehouse that we could use for a weekend 50+ miles or so North East of London ?

I've found a large barn you can use free of charge. It's in Somersham in Suffolk, so easy access for most of East Anglia. Any good?

 

[enuff_zed]

Yes Bowser is probably your nearest.

Bowser and I have been talking about the possibility of us both heading over that direction for a weekend and doing a group session but have nothing concrete in place.

Just an idea at this stage.

We’d need an indoor location so that bad weather doesn’t ruin plans. Anybody have access to a large garage or Small corner of a warehouse that we could use for a weekend 50+ miles or so North East of London ?

I've found a large barn you can use free of charge. It's in Somersham in Suffolk, so easy access for most of East Anglia. Any good?

About 36 miles due south of me, so I'm happy.
Bit closer if Ross is heading up from Hampshire too.

 

[Number5]

I'll speak to Ross and see how busy he is and see if we can suggest some provisional dates when we're both free.

 

[enuff_zed]

I'll speak to Ross and see how busy he is and see if we can suggest some provisional dates when we're both free.

Long way for you to come if there's only two of us though.
Maybe need to advertise a little more to make it worth your while.