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Chas S 
Newbie
Joined: 13-January-2006
Location: Ingatestone Essex
Status: Offline
Points: 4
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 Topic: Z3 Leaking soft top
Posted: 13-January-2006 at 12:21 |
I have a P Reg. LHD 1900cc Z3, which I’ve owned since virtually new. (Bought privately in UK)
For the last two years approx, I have had an increasing amount of rainwater leaking in, first on one side, and now both sides. I have to place a bin liner and a towel on each seat now, and change it daily when it rains, to soak up the water – some days its heavy with water!
The leaks only occur above the side windows, and always drip at the front above the side windows, at the point where the soft top roof meets the front window. There is a piece or rubber that comes down on top of the window glass that has a curve in it with an open side along its length. The water seems to collect in this rubber and run forward. (Note it doesn’t leak when the car is moving)
A year ago, I had the rubbers changed above both doors – if anything it made it worse!
Has anyone come across this please, and is there a low cost solution, or does anyone specialise in solving this problem? My BMW garages locally have only ever told me that they have never come across it before (yes, right!!) and that I’d need to start by replacing all the rubbers at a cost of over £300 to see if that stopped the leaks. I’ve had a quote for a completely new soft top, but how will I know that will stop the leak anyway?
Many thanks
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zeddy3
Groupie
Joined: 12-December-2004
Location: scotland
Status: Offline
Points: 70
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Posted: 15-January-2006 at 15:30 |
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There is an adjusting screw on both the levers that open and close the
roof. This adjusts the tightness between the seal and roof. Would have
had a look on mine but have just sold it. If you need more info on how
to do this search this site http://www.zroadster.net/forum/portal.php
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Chas S
Newbie
Joined: 13-January-2006
Location: Ingatestone Essex
Status: Offline
Points: 4
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Posted: 15-January-2006 at 16:59 |
Hi Thanks for the thought - Are you referring to the threads on the two levers that pull the roof closed? I must say I haven't tried to adjust them yet, but I did suggest it to someone at the BMW garage, and they said that in their opinion it had nothing to do with those levers. They could have been wrong of course!
Do these adjusters make it tighter to the front wondow, or to the side windows? The water has never leaked down the inside of the side windows (or indeed the front windows)!
What do you think?
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h3lter
Senior Member I
Joined: 12-January-2006
Status: Offline
Points: 135
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Posted: 15-January-2006 at 17:16 |
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chas, is it the same kinda thing as this on my E36? it sounds very familiar with the towles! its a right git aint it!
http://www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=25906 &PN=1
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325 cab 1995
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Chas S
Newbie
Joined: 13-January-2006
Location: Ingatestone Essex
Status: Offline
Points: 4
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Posted: 15-January-2006 at 17:23 |
Hi H3lter
Did you manage to sort the problem on your E36, and if so how?
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h3lter
Senior Member I
Joined: 12-January-2006
Status: Offline
Points: 135
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Posted: 15-January-2006 at 17:35 |
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its a temp fix till i can find out y its doing it, mate on here knows
sum one who used vaseline along the seal above the windscreen, it seems
to work so far, if you do it right you cant even notice it, it just
stops car from gettin wet and having to piss around with towels.
have been to BM and they said that they want 100 notes jsut to look at
it!!! even tho they had never seen this prblem on an e36 cab b4.
the price for a new seal is 150 notes so im gonna have a real good look
my self when i can, but the weather is just not beeing to friendly at
the mo.
if you do manage to sort it please let me know, it may help! ill do the same
on another note i bought some colour restorer and waterproofing for it
which seems to help a small amount! on the bright side the roof looks
brand new, try it out, its ment to be loads better than auto glym.
here are the links
http://www.renovointernational.com/products/uproof.php
http://www.renovointernational.com/products/dryclean.php
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325 cab 1995
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zeddy3
Groupie
Joined: 12-December-2004
Location: scotland
Status: Offline
Points: 70
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Posted: 15-January-2006 at 18:23 |
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never tryed it myself, but apparently if you tighten the thread it
brings the roof down closer to the main front seal., and i'm guessing
that the side seals on the roof would be slightly lower as a result:
Therfore making a better seal on the window? As h3lter said give
your seals a greasing, BMW make a silicon lubricant product
called gumiphlege for the seals, it's discontinued i think now but i'm
sure vaseline would have the same effect.
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nero
Moderator Group
Just call me Tripod
Joined: 15-October-2002
Location: Scotland
Status: Offline
Points: 3131
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Posted: 16-January-2006 at 08:08 |
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Gummiphlege was/is a spray, which gets absorbed into the rubber keeping it soft. It doesn't leave any marks on your windows which vaseline will do.
Have you been into the dealers to see what the alternative to Gummiphlege is?
I have a problem where I have a small nick out of one of the seals. Last time it was in for service they said it would require replaced but did not give a price. In the short term I've tried some black silicon rubber (about £5 from Halfords) to fill the gap, but this hasn't worked.
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Chas S
Newbie
Joined: 13-January-2006
Location: Ingatestone Essex
Status: Offline
Points: 4
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Posted: 16-January-2006 at 08:25 |
Thanks guys - When I get a minute, I'm going to give the vaseline a go, and I'll also try tightening the threads on the levers - please watch this space, as they say - I'll let you know the outcome.
Thanks for the Gummiphlege suggestion also - As the rubbers are quite new, and it still leaks, I want to try the vaseline first, as I'm suspecting it might be a bit thicker - I've also tried black silicone - its either too sticky, and doesn't set, or it does set, and then cracks when opening the roof - either way, it still leaks!
Main problem, is not knowing exactly where the water is getting in, but its both sides!
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h3lter
Senior Member I
Joined: 12-January-2006
Status: Offline
Points: 135
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Posted: 16-January-2006 at 09:36 |
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sames exactly same as my e36 cab mate, keep me posted!
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325 cab 1995
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Z3 Leaking soft top