E53 Water leaking into cargo area (VERY IMPORTANT)
 

I finally found the water leak in the cargo area of my X5. I just replaced my 3rd radio too. Everyone should check this to avoid a costly repair.
The lower tailgate has 3 drain plugs on the bottom inside edge. You have to flip up the black panel that covers the bottom egde of the door. Pull the plugs out and clean them. Mine were clogged with gunk. When i pulled them water gushed out. When the water gets to a certain level it channels thru the rubber electrical wiring plug and right into the lower cargo area under the spare tire. Then the battery well eventually fills up and ruins the radio, park, distance module, tow package module, and level ride module. It's a 5 minute job to clean these out and replace them. There are also 2 drains on the upper hatch to clean. Hopefully this helps someone else save some $$ and grey hair. :thumbup:

09-11-01
NEVER FORGET

Wow, thanks. That's not something one would think about or even know about. Thanks for sharing.

Ive been looking for this leak for over a year. I thought it was the sunroof

Joe,

At your earliest, can you please post a picture of the location for the direction impaired like myself. Would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

Thanks!!!

Just pull the plugs out. They pop right back in. clean them good. mine were plugged with 9 years of road skum. you'll see the 2 upper ones on the upper latch too.

Thank you Joe
 

I truly do not know how mine wasn't flooded before. Mine didn't have actual plugs, but tape. Here is how mine looks just in case anyone else's looks like this:

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/m...1My5qcGc-2.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/m...1My5qcGc-1.jpg

Gunk stored under tape:
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/m...1NC5qcGc-1.jpg

Tape couldn't go back on, so I left them untaped till I can buy the actual plugs.

Thanks Joe for this find.

your gate must not take water on like mine does. next im taking the red lights off the gate and figure out some kind of seal.

Joe - Great post. Thanks for the heads up.

I've already had to replace 1 amp due to flooding so hopefully this will prevent another.

great tip! I am adding this to my fall winterization check list.