DIY: Rear Sunroof Drain Repair - 2001 X5 4.4i (E53)

[Ogopogo]

Beautiful job of documenting the process. Curious how the leak fried the amp (assuming you mean the one by the battery), how the amp was behaving (if at all), and how you went about getting it repaired?

[knfxda]

Originally Posted by Ogopogo

Beautiful job of documenting the process. Curious how the leak fried the amp (assuming you mean the one by the battery), how the amp was behaving (if at all), and how you went about getting it repaired?

The radio amp in my X is in the driver's side rear "wheelwell". When I bought the X at the beginning of the month one of the known problems was a blown/dead amp (only static sound being produced). When I pulled the amp, I saw that it had rust on it. I saw signs of water in the cargo area on both sides of the D-pillar. Fortunately, nothing was hitting the fuses.

The fiberglass backing of the headliner acts as a path for the water leading all the way back to the D-pillar (especially when parked on a rearward decline) where it is free to flow down the D-pillar trim an onto and into the rear panel on each side.

I bought a new amp from www.TomkinsonBMWParts.com for $374.51, shipped (non-DSP model). They sell at a big discount vs. MSRP and they do a real good job about contacting you and making sure that you're ordering the right parts if there is any question.

[exsemperfi]

Does anyone know of a write up like this for unclog/repair of the front sunroof drains. I have a lot of water on passenger floor board coming from behind dash when it rains or at a car wash.

[FXJetMech]

Kudos to knfxda🔧
I acquired a used 2001 X5 with a similar pedigree of recessive genes. For example, missing pixels on the MID, coolant leak at coolant temp sensor, Self Level Suspension Inactive, shorted amplifier due to disconnected sunroof drain lines, etc.
With your detailed information provided to our forum, I was able to repair my leaking sunroof. Thank you so much for the time and effort you put into your post. It is greatly appreciated even two years later.
Now wish me luck on fixing a parasitic battery draining problem directly related to the once wet amplifier. I hope not to have to replace more than just the amp, seeing as I just repaired the MID display. Thanks again

[JCN]

Thank you for the great write up! A couple of additional points:

a) when removing the three clips that hold the rear of the headliner to the roof, VERY GENTLY PULL / WIGGLE THE CLIPS USING A PLASTIC TRIM TOOL. I used very narrow needle-nose pliers to pinch the gold colored clips for easy removal from the slots in the roof. TAKE YOUR TIME WHEN REMOVING THESE CLIPS.

b) also make sure your two drain holes in the front are not clogged. They are very hard to see because of the wind deflector popping up when you open the sun roof. I also did the front drains by removing the covers on the "A" pillar. Check and unclog the drain holes behind the front jack points. These are often clogged.

c) It is a good idea to clean/lubricate the sunroof rails at least once or twice per year. It is amazing how much dirt/pollen/ debris can and will accumulate. The cost and time to replace / repair the panoramic roof in the E53 can be substantial. Dirt in the rails is not helping preserve the sunroof mechanicals.

d) I also use 3M's silicone paste on the sunroof rubber and it has worked well for me for many years.

e) be careful not to over torque the clamps you will place on the rear drain hoses.

Hope this helps.