Xoutpost.com - E53 left rear quarter has water...is there a drain?

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- - E53 left rear quarter has water...is there a drain? (https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/114924-e53-left-rear-quarter-has-water-there-drain.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by plasstik (Post 1227152)

Nope.

Do you have a bore scope, or could borrow one if you don’t have one, you could use that to get a look before pulling stuff apart and give yourself a solid answer for what you might need to do.

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Fella thanks for reply but reading posts here is both a blessing and a curse, thing is this hasn't happened to me yet...BUT temps out here are nuts in summer and sun most of year so matter of time for tubes issue...i think i need to get into the mode of thought though that says cross the bridge when you come to it....

Just one data point, but I had my headliner out last summer for a re-cover and checked all the drains, wires, etc. up there, and ran some RCA cables to the back cubbies on either side for stereo upgrades and was surprised to find that the drain attach points and tubes looked factory fresh, after 21 years. I thought about zip tying them for added security but decided against it as I didn’t want to break any possibly brittle plastic, or otherwise rock a 20 year old boat.

I checked the security of each where they attach to the nipples from the sun roof pan and left it at that. I will say that several of the tubes were stretched surprisingly tight at the connection, like they were just slightly too short.

One could fail tomorrow, as these things tend to, but I was happy at how pristine they looked. The headliner pan and attach point were a mess of broken clips and attach points though. It had not aged well. The shop I used to recover it did a good job of re-securing it somehow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldskewel (Post 1226973)

Another common cause for water collecting in the rear wells on left and right sides is the sunroof drains.

Search on here and I bet you will find some info. I had that problem on my 2001 E53 when I first got it. Hoses connect each of the 4 corners of the sunroof opening to drains, two at the front A pillars and two at the upper corners of the rear hatch opening. On my car, the rear hoses had apparently shrunk after 13 years of heat, and when they shrunk enough, the hose pulled off the attachment at the sunroof, so water would just pour onto the headliner and drain into the rear corners (depends on the angle you are parked at, I guess).

Separately, I did at one point have an opening back there that was letting water in. Solution to find it was to get everything completely dry, get inside the car, everything really well lit, and have a helper spray a hose from the outside. Was able to then see tiny drops of water coming through. Once found, easily sealed with caulk, RTV, whatever you want.

:iagree:

Probably the most common cause is clogged roof drain.

I installed my aftermarket amps in the left pocket of the trunk, and every time it rains, I have loud crackling instead of music, so I disconnect them to prevent shorts.
I redid my headliner a couple years ago, and all 4 drains from the sunroof are good.
I just ordered this trimmer line to run through all drains, but I think the water is getting in through the tail lights.
I don't think my tail lights even have gaskets at all.
Not sure if oem gaskets are good or if I can just use some closed foam from soundproofing to cut then out myself, or maybe just use rtv to seal them. What's the best way to prevent leaks from tail lights?