Water leaking from the top center console in heavy rain

[faz]

Thanks Weasel for the suggestion.

Can you elaborate a bit about the sunroof seal? Is it sold separately? I am looking at realoem and I see this with regards to the roof:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/p/y/186.png


Frankly, I am not even sure what is meant by the 'cassette'. Is that the railing that the moonroof slides on? the whole frame of the moonroof??

Also, is the gap that I am showing in the picture above normal? any suggestions on how to go about sealing it?

Any input is appreciated.

[killcrap]

i'd leave the seal in there, as there is probably nothing wrong with it, it is normal for water to pass the sunroof seal.

[faz]

Since I have no major leaks, and only see the leak after parking for a long time under heavy rain, I am also thinking may be something like this wind deflector may help keep the front part of the moonroof out of rain:




BMW X5 PANORAMIC SUNROOF SUN WIND DEFLECTOR

But then again, if one manages to park it pointing downhill, water will pile up in there and make it even worse!

[Weasel]

I don't think that wind deflector will help by keeping it out of the rain, however it might actually channel water that would normally run off the roof into the sunroof...

Killcrap, the newest updated sunroof seals for the panoramic sunroof are alot tighter fit, and made that way to severely lower the amount of water into the cassette to prevent the drains from being overloaded. Tighter to the point that they released SIB 54 04 09 saying if you have a wind noise or water leak to replace the seal then recode the sunroof module, then reinitialize naturally. I've done a few of these stiffer rubber seals already since we had a few weeks of hard rain daily down here and they are tight enough to catch anti-trap every time. Makes me glad I don't have a panoramic sunroof, but I still would rather I didn't have one at all....

[faz]

Thanks Weasel... you are right, it might even make it worse (especially if parked facing downhill.)

Speaking of reinitialization, I did change the battery in the car (made a thread about it a while ago) but after changing the battery I never did a reinitialization. I can't see how that can affect anything, but I was thinking may be, just may be, it will help?

I am planning on opening the overhead console this weekend and try and see if I can kinda seal the area using a sealing tape or something from inside, to reduce the amount of rain that might get into it (seems like it is only a few drops anyway after a long day parked outside under heavy rain.) If that helps, I will leave it at that. If problem gets worse, I will look into replacing the seal as well.

It is a 5 year old car that is paid for, and I like the size/drive... and I got it about $30k less than new... I can live with a few *little* problems here and there.

[killcrap]

if i were you, i would just drive down to the dealer, and have them fix it, see if they will good will the repair. if your a good customer they should take care of you. if your a problem customer, dont even bother.

[faz]

Never been a problem customer to anyone.... you are right, I should at least check with my service adviser in the dealership. He is pretty cool and will help me out if he can.

[Davee]

Hi, I'm new to this thread. My X5 has the same problem in that after sitting in the rain and then I drive, it will drip 3 - 6 drops from the sunroof console switch. I have check the front drain tubes which work fine.

Does anyone know how to remove the roof centre console. I have found two star screws but there is something holding the front near the windscreen.

Any help appreciated.

Dave

[X5 Meister]

Great post. Glad someone brought it up again. Here is the SIB that Weasel mentioned in #14. (SIB 5400409) as it has been recently updated (November 2009). Also, killcrap / weasel, will BMW cover this kind of repair under CPO?

[Davee]

Great thanks X5 Meister, will take this to my BMW dealer to do. Cheers