Sunroof Drain Clog - Flood

A friend has a 530xi wagon. Apparently his sunroof drains got clogged and flooded his electronic compartment, causing a malfunction. Has anybody else experienced this? I have done a search and come up empty.

Thanks!

not on bmws but other car yes.

where is the drain located, I did not even know I have a drain. and if your sunroof is closed how does water get in the drain ?

To test if drains are clogged on any power sunroof..... open sunroof pour water on each side intrack area. The water should drain out immediatly front and rear. If not the drains are clogged. I first use compressed air first, if they are still clogged, you must find end of tubes and clean.

There is a TSB on this problem in cars produced prior to 10/05. Apparently there was a design defect that allowed the drains to clog and water to pour into the car. Despite the knowledge of the defective part, and the fact that a known defective part is on my friend's car, BMW is still denying warranty coverage. They would not even allow him to speak with somebody above the phone operator level at BMW USA.

I have been a loyal BMW buyer for 13 years now. In that time I have owned 14 BMW's. In my experience BMW has always stood behind its products. But I must say that BMW's refusal to honor the warranty when the part is known to be defective is reprehensible. It would make me consider not buying another BMW...

Does anybody have any suggestions on how to resolve this issue, short of retaining an attorney?

Try another dealer? This sounds weird.

Originally Posted by White05X3

There is a TSB on this problem in cars produced prior to 10/05.

Any chance anyone has a copy of the TSB? I'm already afraid of this car, reading things like this makes me even more nervous.

Originally Posted by CeeP

Any chance anyone has a copy of the TSB? I'm already afraid of this car, reading things like this makes me even more nervous.

SI B 54 06 06
Special Roofs November 2006
Technical Service

This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. B54 06 06 dated August 2006.
designates changes to this revision
SUBJECT
Water Leak from Panoramic Sunroof
MODEL
E53 (X5 SAV), E61 (5 Series Sport Wagon) and E83 (X3 SAV) equipped with Panoramic Sunroof (S402A)
SITUATION
Customer may complain of a water leak from the overhead console area during heavy rain or when driving/parking on a steep slope facing downhill.
CAUSE
Possible Causes:
A. Obstructed or damaged drains or drain tubes.
B. Void in the windshield urethane bead.
C. Excessive gaps between the glass panels and the perimeter seal.
D. Inadequate water management system in the sunroof cassette.
CORRECTION
In case of a customer complaint, inspect various components of the sunroof system. Perform a leak test and then perform the recommended repair based on the outcome of these inspections.
An improved sunroof cassette with an optimized water management system has been implemented in production since 10/05.
The current improved part is available as a complete color keyed cassette as opposed to the bare frame previously available.
PROCEDURE
Inspect for the following causes and perform the applicable repair.
Cause A: (Obstructed drains)
• Inspect the cassette drains and drain tubes for any obstructions or kinks in the tubes.
• If any concerns are found with these items, they should be cleaned/repaired/replaced as necessary.
Cause B: (Windshield sealant)
• Inspect the top edge of the windshield glass for any possible voids in the urethane bead.
• Using water or compressed air may help in locating a leak.
• If any voids are found, the windshield must be replaced.
Cause C: (Excessive panel gaps)
• Inspect the condition of the perimeter seal and the gap clearance between:
1. The sunroof glass and the roof panel.
2. The two glass panels.
3. Note: 5.8 plusmn; 0.3mm gap all around (without seal) is required and can be measured with the special gap tool, P/N 00 9 341, or similar.
• If any excessive gaps are found, adjust the glass panels as per RA 54 13 003.
• If any damage to the perimeter seal is found, replace this seal as per RA 54 13 055 and adjust the glass panels as per RA 54 13 003.
Cause D: (Inadequate water management)
• If no fault could be found with causes 1-3, perform the following actions:
1. If the vehicle was produced before 10/2005, replace the sunroof cassette per RA 54 13 080
If the vehicle was produced after 10/2005, do not replace the cassette but still perform the following countermeasures.
Note: The cassette available is the color-keyed updated cassette, complete with headliner and glass panels.
2. Apply light electrical contact grease on to all the electrical connectors and emergency call (SOS) switch in the front interior light console. The surface area must be cleaned as necessary.
3. Replace the perimeter seal as per RA 54 13 055.
4. Install the absorbent pad kit as per the instructions provided in the appropriate Absorbent pad kit attachment.
Note: This kit must be installed exactly as shown in the attachment for maximum effectiveness.
5. Perform additional sealing operation as described in the Cassette Sealing attachment.
6. Initialize sunroof per Repair Instruction 54 0 ...
7. Water test to ensure proper water management.
PARTS INFORMATION
Part Number Description Quantity
54 13 7 184 903 E53 Panoramic Sunroof Cassette – Light Grey 1
54 13 7 184 904 E53 Panoramic Sunroof Cassette – Light Beige 1
54 13 7 185 572 E53 Panoramic Sunroof Cassette – Anthracite 1
54 10 7 185 573 E53 Panoramic Sunroof Cassette – Pastel Green
54 10 3 436 363 E83 Panoramic Sunroof Cassette – Anthracite 1
54 10 3 435 213 E83 Panoramic Sunroof Cassette – Basalt Grey 1
54 10 3 435 217 E83 Panoramic Sunroof Cassette – Light Beige 1
54 10 3 436 311 E83 Panoramic Sunroof Cassette – Grey 1
54 13 7 184 899 E61 Panoramic Sunroof Cassette – Grey 1
54 13 7 184 900 E61 Panoramic Sunroof Cassette – Beige 1
83 23 0 149 149 Electrical contact grease (NyoGel 760G) 1
52 20 3 421 311 E53 Felt Pad 5
51 48 8 211 922 E53 Roof Insulation Material 1
52 20 3 421 311 E61/E83 Felt Pad 2
54 13 7 180 747 E61/E83 Foam Pad 1
54 13 7 072 786 Perimeter Seal – E53/E61/E83 1
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Defect Code Refer to KSD

Labor Operation: Refer to KSD

Labor Allowance: Refer to KSD

ATTACHMENTS
view PDF attachment B540606E53_Repair_Procedure.
view PDF attachment B540606E83_Repair_Procedure.
view PDF attachment B540606E61_Repair_Procedure.
view PDF attachment B540606Cassette_Sealing.

[ Copyright © 2006 BMW of North America, LLC ]

Originally Posted by WDC330i

Try another dealer? This sounds weird.

That's next on the list. I know darned well that if the dealership wanted to get BMW to cover it under warranty they could.

Thanks for the info. I'll ask the dealer about it next time it goes in for service.

Wow, I just brought my 2005 X3 into the dealer for this. They told me that it wasn't covered under warranty because of oustide influence, and it would cost me $350 for them to repair/resolve.

Originally Posted by White05X3

A friend has a 530xi wagon. Apparently his sunroof drains got clogged and flooded his electronic compartment, causing a malfunction. Has anybody else experienced this? I have done a search and come up empty.

Thanks!

exactly why I never order a sunroof. too much trouble.
now if you live in arizona I understand, but where it rains a bunch....no thanks.

So here goes...because the problem is now fixed....

I drive a 535 xit and about 7 weeks ago I began to get these weird warning system failures. TPM malfunction, Air suspension failure, everything you can think of to really freak someone out. Then the clock would reset itself and all the car trip data would clear out. I honestly thought I was having battery trouble until it started spontaneously shutting off while driving. Very scarry. Life was a tad bit hectic but finally made it to the dealership.

Ten days later I recieve my car back. They found that yes the pano roof does drain and clog as well. Something that they clean and blow out on normal service visits. My whole back end was flooded and fried some very important instramunts. 11 control units were damaged and needed to be replaced and the vehicle needed to be re-programed. My warranty did cover everything along with a 3 series loaner. My SA was great about the whole thing and very professional about the repair. Labor and parts would have cost me $7,000 if not for my warranty. I am still really fuming that it actually happened but very glad all has been corrected. There was never a question of not covering it and honestly it was a huge safety issue as due to the power loss with my toddler in the car. So the only silver lining is that BMW stood by my car and fixed the heck out of the thing.

Hope it works for you prior to the vehicle shutting down on the highway with your 2.5 year old in the back.

Originally Posted by bucksbud

So here goes...because the problem is now fixed....

I drive a 535 xit and about 7 weeks ago I began to get these weird warning system failures. TPM malfunction, Air suspension failure, everything you can think of to really freak someone out. Then the clock would reset itself and all the car trip data would clear out. I honestly thought I was having battery trouble until it started spontaneously shutting off while driving. Very scarry. Life was a tad bit hectic but finally made it to the dealership.

Ten days later I recieve my car back. They found that yes the pano roof does drain and clog as well. Something that they clean and blow out on normal service visits. My whole back end was flooded and fried some very important instramunts. 11 control units were damaged and needed to be replaced and the vehicle needed to be re-programed. My warranty did cover everything along with a 3 series loaner. My SA was great about the whole thing and very professional about the repair. Labor and parts would have cost me $7,000 if not for my warranty. I am still really fuming that it actually happened but very glad all has been corrected. There was never a question of not covering it and honestly it was a huge safety issue as due to the power loss with my toddler in the car. So the only silver lining is that BMW stood by my car and fixed the heck out of the thing.

Hope it works for you prior to the vehicle shutting down on the highway with your 2.5 year old in the back.

Ugh. I can't believe this same problem is going on. Obviously not really fixed...

Bucksbud,

Your post regarding taking on water in your bmw 5 series wagon was very helpful and directed me to a new possibility regarding the cause of an identical problem in my 2006 530xi wagon. The dealership here states that I must have driven through high water, forcing water in through the rear baffles, hence the problem was cause by my driving. I am certain I did not go through such water. It's a small dealership and it appears they may not be too well informed.

It would be useful for me to know the name of the dealership where you took your car so that I can contact them to find out more about bmw's suggestions for servicing the sunroof drains. Any other advice you have on this will also be appreciated.

Many thanks.

Stephen

Originally Posted by leviblue

Bucksbud,

Your post regarding taking on water in your bmw 5 series wagon was very helpful and directed me to a new possibility regarding the cause of an identical problem in my 2006 530xi wagon. The dealership here states that I must have driven through high water, forcing water in through the rear baffles, hence the problem was cause by my driving. I am certain I did not go through such water. It's a small dealership and it appears they may not be too well informed.

It would be useful for me to know the name of the dealership where you took your car so that I can contact them to find out more about bmw's suggestions for servicing the sunroof drains. Any other advice you have on this will also be appreciated.

I think White05X3's post of the Service Bulletin is the most useful. You can also read about my 530xiT experience with the same problem here:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...4&postcount=10

Basically driving along, electrical malfunction errors pop up on idrive, open the back-end and find standing water around the fuses. Performance BMW of Chapel Hill fixed the problem under warranty.

Have a 2006 530xi, it is at the dealers right now. Supposedly, dirt clogged drains causing water to damage my electrical system. I was told this drain problem is not under warranty. I was also told that in order to clean the drains properly you have to disassemble some of the sunroof. I told them that if that is the case it is their design defect. The maint. book does not indicate disassemble is necessary for cleaning drains.

Customer service is checking and will get back to me.

While I don't have any electronics problems (yet), when I open the roof after a rain or car wash, inevitably a few tablespoons of water creep forward from somewhere inside the sunroof mechanism and fall into the cabin off the top of the glass.

It's real nice to get doused by moldy water when you're dressed nicely to meet a client.

I brought the car in for this and the dealer cleaned the drains (just got the car back two days ago), and today there's a 100% chance of rain in the forecast. Hopefully it's fixed, but I have a sneaking suspicion it's not.

Hey guys. Don't panic! I have an E61 as well and suffered the same issue with water leak. Fortunately I was quick enough to recognise the issue and it didn't do any damage. Also, fortunately, it is a simple enough thing to resolve if you are DIY enabled. My leak came in the rear passenger side through various holes in the roof liner, mainly over the boot area.

Simply unscrew the rear pillar interior trim panels in the boot area, bearing in mind they will have an electrical connectyion for the light and the luggage cover release mechanism. These unclip simply enough. This will expose the edge of the roof liner at the pillar. Also pull off slightly, just enough, to expose the roof liner edge, the rubber tailgate seal. Gently prise the roof liner from its clips, taking care not to crease or dirty it. There are 3 main clips about 200m in from the edge of the liner fixed to the car roof structure. These will unclip easliy enough if you're careful. You only need about 200mm access space so it's not that hard to achieve. This will eventually expose the interior of the roof area and you will see the rear of the cassette assembly. The drain hose can be see running from the left and right rear corners toward the rear pillars. It's simple enough to disconnecnt them from the cassette and clear the blockage. My blockage was in the actual connection point of the cassette and I cleared it by rodding it with a small pen. I did the right side too even though it wasn't obviously leaking. reconnect the drain tubes and water test by pouring water into the sunroof eage whilst open. You will soon see if the drain is working.

Reassemble the car when complete taking care not to dirty the roof liner and making sure all the trim pieces are clicked into place properly on the rear pillars, connect the electrics again and screw it all together. I spent about an hour in total, bearing in mind I was operating 'blind'. If I had to do it again it would take about 30mins.

BTW, I had my cassette replaced under wearranty since because of another fault, but there you go.

Well, I spoke too soon.

The roof is still leaking, and now my windows will not close as the car is kicking in the "pinch protection" when there is nothing to pinch. I believe that is sign #1 of electrical problems.

I called my dealer and have an appointment next week.

I've also noticed that the car interior is making all sorts of creaking noises -- I don't know if there is any correlation.

Originally Posted by FastMarkA

Well, I spoke too soon.

The roof is still leaking, and now my windows will not close as the car is kicking in the "pinch protection" when there is nothing to pinch. I believe that is sign #1 of electrical problems.

I called my dealer and have an appointment next week.

I've also noticed that the car interior is making all sorts of creaking noises -- I don't know if there is any correlation.

There may be a correlation...

If the window seals are wet, it could cause the anti-trap system to activate. If the door seals are wet, they might creak.

Good lord I simply HATE this car.

All the gaskets and roof seals are fine, drains apparently unclogged. The reason I get water is because either (1) it's the water that still is on the roof (duh!) or (2) the drains take a while to empty because they are "activated" by the car's inertia. They are $^@*@! drains!!!!

I have had ~10 vehicles, all with sunroofs, and they worked just fine.

So I shall just drive around with a towel on my shoulder so I don't soak another sleeve.

Originally Posted by FastMarkA

Good lord I simply HATE this car.

All the gaskets and roof seals are fine, drains apparently unclogged. The reason I get water is because either (1) it's the water that still is on the roof (duh!) or (2) the drains take a while to empty because they are "activated" by the car's inertia. They are $^@*@! drains!!!!

I have had ~10 vehicles, all with sunroofs, and they worked just fine.

So I shall just drive around with a towel on my shoulder so I don't soak another sleeve.

I don't think it's safe to blame the design of the drain when just about everyone else's car is dry as a bone. Obviously, the drains do their job 99.9% of the time.

Clearly, something is/was wrong with your car -- hopefully it'll be resolved soon...

I had just purchased a 2006 530 xi wagon from a reputable used car dealer in Marin County. Within 48 hours, my girlfriend was driving in the rain and all of the electical signals from the dash and the i Distract came on warning her of a serious malfunction. I located that the leak was coming from the rear of the sunroof. There was about one inch of standing water on the fuse boxes/ rear compartment storage areas. Unbelievable!!

So I google it tonight before bedtime only to find this forum and that it has happened to other people. This needs to be recalled.

Originally Posted by Commodore

Hey guys. Don't panic! I have an E61 as well and suffered the same issue with water leak. Fortunately I was quick enough to recognise the issue and it didn't do any damage. Also, fortunately, it is a simple enough thing to resolve if you are DIY enabled. My leak came in the rear passenger side through various holes in the roof liner, mainly over the boot area.

Simply unscrew the rear pillar interior trim panels in the boot area, bearing in mind they will have an electrical connectyion for the light and the luggage cover release mechanism. These unclip simply enough. This will expose the edge of the roof liner at the pillar. Also pull off slightly, just enough, to expose the roof liner edge, the rubber tailgate seal. Gently prise the roof liner from its clips, taking care not to crease or dirty it. There are 3 main clips about 200m in from the edge of the liner fixed to the car roof structure. These will unclip easliy enough if you're careful. You only need about 200mm access space so it's not that hard to achieve. This will eventually expose the interior of the roof area and you will see the rear of the cassette assembly. The drain hose can be see running from the left and right rear corners toward the rear pillars. It's simple enough to disconnecnt them from the cassette and clear the blockage. My blockage was in the actual connection point of the cassette and I cleared it by rodding it with a small pen. I did the right side too even though it wasn't obviously leaking. reconnect the drain tubes and water test by pouring water into the sunroof eage whilst open. You will soon see if the drain is working.

Reassemble the car when complete taking care not to dirty the roof liner and making sure all the trim pieces are clicked into place properly on the rear pillars, connect the electrics again and screw it all together. I spent about an hour in total, bearing in mind I was operating 'blind'. If I had to do it again it would take about 30mins.

BTW, I had my cassette replaced under wearranty since because of another fault, but there you go.

Holy crap! And your signature complains about the CupHolders??! With this design, and in my climate with all the grime from the road spray etc... I can't imagine having to go through this procedure frequently!

Cal