Water in overhead console, not sunroof drains

Psychowon · #1 07-09-2008, 06:24 PM

I believe I have read every thread here on water leaks and cannot find one that addresses my problem. I just poured a quart of water down the sunroof channels and I heard it pouring out on the garage floor. I have had the windshield replaced and the installer back out twice to attempt to fix the leaks. Water drains out of the garage door opener buttons and just about steadily from the sunroof control switch. I also have a streak or two running down the windshield itself. I need help folks. Anyone have this issue???

X5DWM · #2 07-10-2008, 08:38 AM

I did see water drip from the same location on mine once, It had been standing for about 2 weeks unused and in heavy rain, not done it since and we have had some rotten weather, maybe its only when left un loved

Psychowon · #3 07-10-2008, 06:17 PM

Well, I redneck eliminated the possibility of a leaking sunroof this morning. I covered the edges all the way around with Gorilla tape. Not too bad I guess as it is black and the glass is black. I just need to eliminate the sunroof or find if it is guilty before I call that window installer back out again; he has been here twice attempting to correct the leak. I assume it is that but I need to be sure before I show my grattitude and find out it was not his install. Thanks.

carlgo · #4 07-11-2008, 10:42 AM

You did the right test. Don't leave the tape on too long! If it still leaks, maybe you have blocked front drains. This is not that rare. I have fixed quite a few cars with this problem. On a level surface, all 4 drains should drain onto the floor, but if the front end is downhill and the front drains are blocked, then it would leak at the front. Usually the careful use of compressed air applied to the drains underneath the vehicle will cure things. I have also used a flexible speedo cable that I had laying around. It seems that things grow in those drains, turn into muck and plug up.

Rarely, the pan that collects the water will itself have a faulty seal, or the hose connection where it meets the pan will come off. Again, those are really rare problems and the least likely.

Here I am talking about vehicles in general. the X may have different issues. I don't think I was ever involved with a leaking X.

hcz2 · #5 02-11-2011, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlgo

You did the right test. Don't leave the tape on too long! If it still leaks, maybe you have blocked front drains. This is not that rare. I have fixed quite a few cars with this problem. On a level surface, all 4 drains should drain onto the floor, but if the front end is downhill and the front drains are blocked, then it would leak at the front. Usually the careful use of compressed air applied to the drains underneath the vehicle will cure things. I have also used a flexible speedo cable that I had laying around. It seems that things grow in those drains, turn into muck and plug up.

Rarely, the pan that collects the water will itself have a faulty seal, or the hose connection where it meets the pan will come off. Again, those are really rare problems and the least likely.

Here I am talking about vehicles in general. the X may have different issues. I don't think I was ever involved with a leaking X.

Can you tell me where the drains come out? I have a leak from the head cloth on the front right. It runs down the A pillar and puddles on the footwell when the car is parked facing downhill

carlgo · #6 02-12-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hcz2

Can you tell me where the drains come out? I have a leak from the head cloth on the front right. It runs down the A pillar and puddles on the footwell when the car is parked facing downhill

It has been so long...if I had to do it today I would have to see where it was dripping out on the clear drains and hope it was the same deal on the other side.

The other post regarding the pinched tube is specific to this car and checking that out seems like the best 1st step. Also, you could pin down the general exit area under the X.

jnvrgs · #7 07-11-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psychowon

I believe I have read every thread here on water leaks and cannot find one that addresses my problem. I just poured a quart of water down the sunroof channels and I heard it pouring out on the garage floor. I have had the windshield replaced and the installer back out twice to attempt to fix the leaks. Water drains out of the garage door opener buttons and just about steadily from the sunroof control switch. I also have a streak or two running down the windshield itself. I need help folks. Anyone have this issue???

Hi there,

I posted an issue I had w/ my X5 a few months back. One morning i got into the X5 after a night of heavy rain, found the shift knob wet. Looked up and saw that the Homelink / Sunroof control unit was wet and had small water bubbles building. That seemed like the only spot where water was leaking from.

I took it to the dealer and they replaced the entire sunroof unit. The SA told me that its not unusual for our E53's to leak from up there. They found a small crack when they replaced the unit. Apparently the sunroof unit in our vehicles doesn't resist shock too well.

Hope this helps.

TowX · #8 07-17-2008, 10:50 AM

Just read this post and want to add my experience here. It is not a blockage, but a failed sunroof drain hose in the A-pillar. I had the exact same problem and when I called my dealer (knows I'm technically competent with lots of tools) the shop foremand told me to take the A-pillar cover off the driver's side and look at the sunroof drain hose for a kink. Sure enough the hose was kinked shut.

Dealer said it is VERY common on the X5 with the normal sunroof (not common on the panoramic roof) and it's almost always on the driver's side. They had to pull the sunroof cardridge out to replace the entire hose top to bottom. They also replaced the airbag that's in that pillar because it was getting wet too. (can you say liability?)

The way to check is to remove the covers off the A-pillar (that's the windshield pillar.) Be very careful if you have airbags in the pillar! There's only one screw holding it on- you get to the scrrew by prying off the plastic piece that says SRS or Airbag on it. Underneath is a Torx- T20 or T22 if I recall. Once you remove that, then just carefull pull the top of the cover off until it unsnaps, then pull up to get it out from behind the dash. You'll see the sunroof drain hose now. Odds are it's kinked on one side or the other.

ak_h2002 · #9 07-17-2008, 03:11 PM

I had a similar problem. It was raining but not too hard though... drizzling you could say. When i made a turn at an intersection, my wife who was sitting in the front seat complained of water dripping over her. I guess it was just a few drops as it was not raining that heavily.....

I bought a cpo and when i checked the records the previous owner had fixed a leaking sunroof..... After that i have driven when it was raining heavily.... it drips a little only when i am making turns.... I dismissed the problem but now i am really concerned. I dont want knee deep water in my most favourite toy.... am seriously thinking of getting it checked again. Is it worth it.... i dont want to go through the hasstle of dealing with the service center and driving a loaner for a while.... is it worth it? .. and yeah its a panaromic sunroof... 05 x5

TowX · #10 07-17-2008, 06:10 PM

I actually rigged a temporary fix for mine since I was 100 miles into a 1500 mile round trip when I first discovered my leak. I was able to cut a slice in the kinked part of the hose and insert a piece of plastic tubing into the hose as a splint. Secured with two fuel line hose clamps and voila, no more leak. Since I'm under warranty, I then took it back to the dealer after my trip for the warranty repair. If you really fear the dealer, at least take a look inside the pillar. If you have a leak, the water is going to damage the affected electronics, and any airbags that get wet too.