PSA: Sunroof Drains

[Len]

Just want to share my experience with sunroof drain issues.

Many months ago, IIRC I heard water sloshing around in my trunk or somehow figured out there must be water back there. Opened the right side trunk cover to find my sub halfway submerged in water. I realized the sunroof drains were clogged so I cleared them and removed all water from the right side. All was good or so I thought .
Fast forward a few months and during this time I installed an Android HU but started having problems with battery drain. I reset the IBUS app and everything finally went back to normal. All was good again for a many months until one day I start the car and constantly hear static on both left channels. I immediately assumed the HU was having problems and was able to return it. I got a replacement unit and still had the problem. Finally resorted to plugging the stock unit back in (which I should’ve done sooner but for some reason I was sure it was the HU) and still had a problem.

This is where I decided to look for the amp and realized it’s on the side of the trunk just like the sub. Opened it up and found 3 inches of the amp submerged as well as a tiny bit of the telematics unit connector. The amp has corrosion on the board and the TCU connector has 2 broken pins from rust.

All this makes perfect sense now. Battery drain was probably the TCU and speaker issues were the amp. Wish I hadn’t stupidly forgotten to check the left side when the drains clogged .

[cn90]

I think we already talked about this SR issues many times in this forum...

[workingonit]

I'm still figuring out my X5, and what remains of the original wiring in the trunk, before I can fix/repair/upgrade what's left (DSP?, CD/RADIO circuits, telematics? or even to tie-into the I-Bus wire back there), so I really don't need water damage there, too. I did have water up front, though.

I never liked nor used sunroofs (or T-tops or convertibles), and have seen nothing but problems faced by those using/owning them, over the years. Recently, my X5 reminded me of their problematic nature, by flooding the floor at my feet. https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...e-floor-2.html.

I cleared the drains, lubed the tracks, and made my sunroof work flawlessly...and then removed fuse #58 and sealed the glass with paint protection tape, not really noticeable under my homemade roof rack (another story https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...roof-rack.html).

So, I'm now free from flooded trunk and floors for awhile. And with the steel grid over my sunroof too, free from hail and tree debris damage as well. At least there wasn't a $1k repair, or soaked modules before it was sealed.

[stubear334]

I found that the best way to keep drains clean is to not park under trees.

[Len]

Originally Posted by stubear334

I found that the best way to keep drains clean is to not park under trees.

Definitely was from trees for me. Up until it became a daily driver ~3 months ago the designated parking spot for it was where there was the most shade on my driveway (under trees).


Update: There was more water a few days ago after rain. My sunroof drains are completely clean AFAIK. Is there anywhere else the water could be coming from or would it be best to clean the drains again to be 100% sure? I did notice that the tiny drain flap seemed to be stuck closed on that side. Could that be all it was? I read another thread about tailgate drains clogging but the small storage area back there is wet so I am pretty sure it’s coming from above.

[RocketyMan]

I would like to contribute to this thread as well. I'm not sure if it is EXACTLY the sunroof drains or not, BUT both of my rear side storage compartments were damp. The left side was probably the most moist/damp/slightly-wet than the right side.

I too, would like to figure this out exactly as to HOW they are getting damp as I am also having issues with my aftermarket amp getting too moist. Last week it was raining quite heavily and I did in fact have my car parked on an incline.

What would this cause the rear storage compartments to become very damp and wet?

[crystalworks]

If you have checked your sunroof drains and they are not the source, the tail light gaskets are known to leak and cause water ingress into those side compartments.

[RocketyMan]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

If you have checked your sunroof drains and they are not the source, the tail light gaskets are known to leak and cause water ingress into those side compartments.

They've been known to leak, huh? Hmmm...that's good to know!

So #2 is the gasket...and its about $40 for just one... ooooftaaa

[crystalworks]

Those are the ones. And yes, I had the same sticker shock. Fortunately when I took mine out and inspected they were still in good shape. Thinking about it, some similarly sized closed cell foam gasket should perform as well as the OE gasket. Perhaps better if you over size the thickness a tiny bit.

Little parts like this are frequently ridiculously priced. Just ordered some aftermarket door pin surrounds (the little plastic rings around the door lock pins on the door card) from Ebay for $10/pr. Factory units were something like $20/each! LOL, was about to run to the junkyard and pick up all the door lock surrounds.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

... Just ordered some aftermarket door pin surrounds (the little plastic rings around the door lock pins on the door card) from Ebay for $10/pr. Factory units were something like $20/each! LOL, was about to run to the junkyard and pick up all the door lock surrounds.

You can't post something like that and then NOT give a link - C'mon!!!