Sunroof drains blocked, fixes? - E61 M5
Discussion
Evening,
Have been noticing some water in the passenger side boot storage tray of my M5 Touring. Went into main dealer about a month ago and they explained it was glass boot switch not working so glass not flush so water getting in there. Replaced switch under extended warranty, but noticed there is some water back in the tray again. Car has been back in today for them to complete full water test and now they say the drain pipes from sunroof are likely blocked therefore causing water to make its way down the passenger side. No water in boot/battery compartment etc. hopefully caught it early doors and car is garaged home/work so water is minimal.
Allegedly these drain pipes should be flushed everytime car is in for service, but quite sure this wasn't done in March when car was in for big service, as unlikely to block in that time frame.
Two questions:
Been told first off it's not a warranty issue although obvious design fault judging by huge amount of owners who have had the same issue, but has anyone had any success with car on extended BMW warranty making a claim?
Also it looks like the only way to get at these drains are by access behind the headlining, but has anyone managed to clear the pipes themselves with compressed air etc?
Have been noticing some water in the passenger side boot storage tray of my M5 Touring. Went into main dealer about a month ago and they explained it was glass boot switch not working so glass not flush so water getting in there. Replaced switch under extended warranty, but noticed there is some water back in the tray again. Car has been back in today for them to complete full water test and now they say the drain pipes from sunroof are likely blocked therefore causing water to make its way down the passenger side. No water in boot/battery compartment etc. hopefully caught it early doors and car is garaged home/work so water is minimal.
Allegedly these drain pipes should be flushed everytime car is in for service, but quite sure this wasn't done in March when car was in for big service, as unlikely to block in that time frame.
Two questions:
Been told first off it's not a warranty issue although obvious design fault judging by huge amount of owners who have had the same issue, but has anyone had any success with car on extended BMW warranty making a claim?
Also it looks like the only way to get at these drains are by access behind the headlining, but has anyone managed to clear the pipes themselves with compressed air etc?
How you doing mate?
You can clean them yourself with a can of that compressed air you can buy for laptops and pc's. Point the nozzle up the tube and fire away. Or, use the tried and tested method of sucking it out manually. All you need to do is put the end in your mouth and suck the crap out. Its hideous and disgusting but satisfying at the same time. lol
Another trick ive seen is to get some rubber tubing from an aqaurium outlet (used on air pumps) and a bicycle pump. Put one end on the end of the rain duct tube, and the other over the end of the bike pump attachment. Pump away until crap is all clear.
You can clean them yourself with a can of that compressed air you can buy for laptops and pc's. Point the nozzle up the tube and fire away. Or, use the tried and tested method of sucking it out manually. All you need to do is put the end in your mouth and suck the crap out. Its hideous and disgusting but satisfying at the same time. lol
Another trick ive seen is to get some rubber tubing from an aqaurium outlet (used on air pumps) and a bicycle pump. Put one end on the end of the rain duct tube, and the other over the end of the bike pump attachment. Pump away until crap is all clear.
I created this thread for the exact problem.
http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/49784-i-drive-proble...pid642052#entry642052
The fix is so easy, ridiculous isn't it...?
http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/49784-i-drive-proble...pid642052#entry642052
The fix is so easy, ridiculous isn't it...?
Still going like a dream, 34k on it now and 14k this year which is most mileage I have done in a year ever so must be enjoying it.
Prices seem to have stabilised on the Tourings over past few months, what do you think?
Friend has a C63 Estate for sale, driven it a lot and sorely tempted...
Prices seem to have stabilised on the Tourings over past few months, what do you think?
Friend has a C63 Estate for sale, driven it a lot and sorely tempted...
Yeah, prices do seem to be fairly steady for lower mileage Tourers with a warranty.
If it wasn't for the C63s interior id be all over it. It just a bit sub standard for a German uber-marque don't you think. Some sound that comes out of those pipes though, very devilish. Saying that, my M5 sounds a bit fruity these days.
Eddie
If it wasn't for the C63s interior id be all over it. It just a bit sub standard for a German uber-marque don't you think. Some sound that comes out of those pipes though, very devilish. Saying that, my M5 sounds a bit fruity these days.
Eddie
I've got this exact problem at the moment. I had about 1" of water in the well, and it flagged up about 5 errors in total, 3 of which remain (tailgate doesn't open, level control system failure, tyre pressure warning system not working).
It's definitely the sunroof drains.
Hoping that a gradual dryout will clear these errors, but if not then after Xmas I'm going to take the car (perfectly dry by this point) to my local dealer and see what they say about the errors.
I'm not actually worried about having them sort the blockage, it's more about the damage done by having the blockage in the first place.
It's definitely the sunroof drains.
Hoping that a gradual dryout will clear these errors, but if not then after Xmas I'm going to take the car (perfectly dry by this point) to my local dealer and see what they say about the errors.
I'm not actually worried about having them sort the blockage, it's more about the damage done by having the blockage in the first place.
Had call from Service guys and car is ready for collection, came to the conclusion that pipes are likely blocked and needs flushing but will have to be in the New Year now. I explained that 2 mins on google last night have provided me with the answers. So will give it a go myself. Just about to hang up and was told that I had to pay £180 for two hours diagnostic work... Apparently discounted from £260! I then spent the next half an hour explaining I would not be paying any money whatsoever. For starters it was never explained that this "diagnostic" work would be chargeable. Seeing as its such a common problem how they think they can charge two hours work is ridiculous.
Picking the car up at lunchtime and will be having a "chat" with the Service Manager.
Since when do you get charged by a garage to identify the issue but not fix it??
Picking the car up at lunchtime and will be having a "chat" with the Service Manager.
Since when do you get charged by a garage to identify the issue but not fix it??
BobbyK said:
Had call from Service guys and car is ready for collection, came to the conclusion that pipes are likely blocked and needs flushing but will have to be in the New Year now. I explained that 2 mins on google last night have provided me with the answers. So will give it a go myself. Just about to hang up and was told that I had to pay £180 for two hours diagnostic work... Apparently discounted from £260! I then spent the next half an hour explaining I would not be paying any money whatsoever. For starters it was never explained that this "diagnostic" work would be chargeable. Seeing as its such a common problem how they think they can charge two hours work is ridiculous.
Picking the car up at lunchtime and will be having a "chat" with the Service Manager.
Since when do you get charged by a garage to identify the issue but not fix it??
Hardly diagnostics work though is it? It only takes 5 mins to look at the tubes in question. They are screwing you mate.Picking the car up at lunchtime and will be having a "chat" with the Service Manager.
Since when do you get charged by a garage to identify the issue but not fix it??
Eddie
All sorted, didn't have to pay anything in the end. Actually pretty impressed with their response, the service manager thought 2 hours was a very long time to come to the conclusion of blocked drains.
Will report back on see how I get on with cleaning the drains when I get the chance early next week.
Have a good Christmas all!
Will report back on see how I get on with cleaning the drains when I get the chance early next week.
Have a good Christmas all!
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