Leaking Soft Top

zxr400 · Post by **zxr400** » Fri 15 Jun, 2007 08:14

Now then fellow Z3 Owners!!!

Seems I always only come on here when I have a problem!! I promise when I learn more I will try to post answers too!!! With the current rain I have a leak on both sides where the hood hooks into the roof. Its a constant dripping and a right pain

!! Anyone any idea's?? Any help would be appreciated.

Daz

JontyP · Post by **JontyP** » Fri 15 Jun, 2007 09:15

If you're talking about the join along the front of the roof to the top rail of the windscreen (at the extreme left and right) then you can apparently adjust the closure force of the main roof latches by effectively reducing their reach which means the roof will compress the seals slightly more. I have nver had to bother yet (famous last words

) but I'm sure a search on here will reveal a description of what to do. I think there is an allen key to twiddle in the latch lever housing somewhere. Only do the adjustment in small steps though. You don't want to put more load on the parts than is necessary.

Jonty

WEBBO · Post by **WEBBO** » Sun 17 Jun, 2007 14:54

i have just had same problem, it has never leaked before, must be to do with the real heavy rain, mine has leaked both sides around 2 inches in from the roof join. not sorted it yet.

zclimber · Post by **zclimber** » Mon 18 Jun, 2007 11:43

I have exactly the same problem. It's where the two parts of the rubber seal join together. I wondered about putting and extra thin piece of rubber in to make a tighter seal, perhaps a ruber washer. Think I'll try the Allen key method first though. Although I'm not sure mine can go any tighter!

WEBBO · Post by **WEBBO** » Mon 18 Jun, 2007 16:07

mine too, i have lots of rubber as i fit and repair windows, not seen out that will fit, a thin bead of black silicone may be just the thing

maxman · Post by **maxman** » Mon 18 Jun, 2007 18:59

There is a BMW product which keeps the rubber supple called gummifledge,before you put on silicon I would try this.

Post by **Robert T** » Mon 18 Jun, 2007 19:35

People were reporting problems getting hold of Gummipflege - has anyone bought some recently? I managed to get an aerosol one in October. There is also a tube of it too.

Cheers R.

mattdedasc · Post by **mattdedasc** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 11:18

I just bought a beautiful R reg Z3 1.9 (140bhp) and I have the same problem. I found the passenger's seat soaked this morning, water comes in from that very point.

I'm waiting for the dealer to let me know what he's going to do about it.

It's a pity because the car is a beauty.

///M_aniac · Post by **///M_aniac** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 12:32

Robert T wrote:People were reporting problems getting hold of Gummipflege - has anyone bought some recently? I managed to get an aerosol one in October. There is also a tube of it too.

Cheers R.

Haven't been able to get any. Theres none in any $tealership in the UK apparently.

///M_aniac · Post by **///M_aniac** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 12:33

JontyP wrote:If you're talking about the join along the front of the roof to the top rail of the windscreen (at the extreme left and right) then you can apparently adjust the closure force of the main roof latches by effectively reducing their reach which means the roof will compress the seals slightly more.

zxr400,

ajones13 on here has done this. PM him for information.

capone11 · Post by **capone11** » Tue 09 Oct, 2007 17:03

I had the same problem with it leaking at the joins afterI got my car washed by the hand car was people with a jet hose! I didnt think my problem was fixed but it has recently been raining and I have had no leaks!

My topic is here: http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopi ... roof+seals

I brought some of this:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... ryrn_77322

It seems to have done the job! it didnt take immediate effect but the rubber seems to be alot more supple now and I have had no leeks touch wood.

ZEEFREE · Post by **ZEEFREE** » Sun 14 Oct, 2007 16:47

Hi there

New to this forum but had my Z3 2.8 since 2000.

I have the original top and cure the leaks described as required by opening the roof and gently pulling the rubber seals forwards on the roof so that they butt up against the windshield frame more positively, it works every time but needs to be re-visited after several roof cycles.

HTH

ZEEFREE

wistone · Post by **wistone** » Mon 14 Jan, 2008 09:49

Hi just joined with the hope that someone can tell me how to adjust my soft top. Its leaking both sides at the soft rubber join. It seems that you guys were talking about this last year so any adeas on how to sort the problem? My local dealer wants £110 per hour just to investigate the problem!!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon 14 Jan, 2008 09:59

I doubt if Gummipfege or any other quick fix will do the job - I ended up sticking a shaped piece of rubber onto the end of the window seals, and it is fine. My catch claws were originally fully-tightened, when this leak began while still under warranty fom new.

BMWGB's answer was 'It's a convertible - you have to expect a few leaks.' So much for tales of wonderful service!

Justin Time · Post by **Justin Time** » Mon 14 Jan, 2008 10:18

wistone wrote:My local dealer wants £110 per hour just to investigate the problem!!!

hence their nickname, $tealers.

As the rubber seals are in sections and are supposed to fit together snugly when the top is up, try wiggling the front sections that are not sealing, forward whilst making sure there is still enough contact with the section behind it so as not to cause a leak there. I have to do this once a month, roughly, as i do tend to have the top down quite often, and i think the motion of raising and lowering the top moves the seals around a bit.

If that doesn't work, you can always vulcanise some rubber repair patches on to the contact points like Mike has.

On a side note, why not go and introduce yourself here? along with a few piccies.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon 14 Jan, 2008 10:45

This problem does not need 'investigation' by a dealer, as it is clearly listed in a BMW Service Instruction, but the measures reccommended do not work!

You can tighten the claws of the hood all you want, but their action is restricted by the tapered dowels which rigidly locate the front of the hood relative to the windscreen frame. Sealing therefore depends on the resilience of the rubber seals, which tend to shrink back with age.

wistone · Post by **wistone** » Mon 14 Jan, 2008 10:52

Thanks guys for all your tips. I'll see if there is any play left in the seals and if not I'll use the rubber patch solution.

I am really apreciative of your help so quickly. I think I'll enjoy swapping tales on here. Chat soon

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Mon 14 Jan, 2008 11:11

Totally agree with Mikes fix, I did the same with a piece of .75mm rubber pond liner, works a treat.

Still get the odd leak from the joint mid side windows.

shabsbmw · Post by **shabsbmw** » Mon 14 Jan, 2008 15:24

Robert T wrote:People were reporting problems getting hold of Gummipflege - has anyone bought some recently? I managed to get an aerosol one in October. There is also a tube of it too.

Cheers R.

Hi Rob,

Paul has got some in a tube, I will ask him where he got his from, we just used it for the hardtop, he put the stuff on all the rubber, before putting the hardtop on.
Paul just used this to see where certain points of the hardtop were rubbing, he didn't use it for leaks or such like....just though I would add that point too....

Will let you know later where he got it....

Shabs...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon 14 Jan, 2008 15:31

I forget to mention that the mechanism of the hhod catches uses a pin sliding in a thin slotted plate.

If you tighten the claws too much this plate will simply be strained and distorted, so slackening off the hood seal/windscreen frame interface, and it will continue to distort and slacken.

I think this is the basic cause of the problem - if the hill-billies who assemble the cars maladjust the claws distortion will occur, with a gradual slackening of the seal, until one can see daylight through them. To put your faith in any quick fix such as Gummi-Pflege is asking for a miracle.

Unfortunately the catch mechanism is not sold as a seperate part.

halion83 · Post by **halion83** » Wed 16 Jan, 2008 07:49

Apart from the leaking through both windows I have also discovered that my canvas roof is completely saturated with water. Water is actually dripping on me from the canvas when I drive - not very enjoyable. Is there any product I can use to weatherproof the canvas? Thanks folks

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Wed 16 Jan, 2008 10:26

Products are available from BMW or another is Renovo

///M_aniac · Post by **///M_aniac** » Wed 16 Jan, 2008 10:28

I've been using BMW impregnator for some time now. No complaints.

halion83 · Post by **halion83** » Wed 16 Jan, 2008 17:07

thanks guys, will check this out

mattdedasc · Post by **mattdedasc** » Mon 28 Jan, 2008 10:04

I spoke to a local BMW specialist who advised me to try vaseline (yes, the one you buy from the chemist) before anything else.

It actually works. never a single drop of water in the car in 3 months. And before it was leaking seriously.

BonBon · Post by **BonBon** » Thu 31 Jan, 2008 09:57

I took the same route as Mike - but glued the piece of 3mm closed pore foam rubber to the windshield side as opposed to the roof. This forms a snug shape between the roof, windshield and window.

Any impregnating spray should work - I fear that dust would adhere to vaseline....

henrycrun · Post by **henrycrun** » Thu 31 Jan, 2008 22:35

Has anyone used the Autoglym canvas cleaner and proofer?

BonBon · Post by **BonBon** » Thu 31 Jan, 2008 22:37

I used the RaggTopp (US Ebay). Ok but no better that any standard impregnator sold for table cloths etc.

Justin Time · Post by **Justin Time** » Fri 01 Feb, 2008 14:53

Henrycrun, yes I have. Works well. Beads are still evident now after 3 months.

Problem is for me, however, that I want to use a blue dye from renovo on the roof, as it's faded a bit, and due to the long lasting proofing given by the bloody autoglym stuff, I can't until it wears off as the dye doesn't get through the proofing. Typical

Anyone know how to get the proofing out of the roof so as to dye it, or is it a "wait until the proofing wears off" scenario?

bighfishing · Post by **bighfishing** » Sun 01 Jun, 2008 21:30

mattdedasc wrote:I spoke to a local BMW specialist who advised me to try vaseline (yes, the one you buy from the chemist) before anything else.

It actually works. never a single drop of water in the car in 3 months. And before it was leaking seriously.

i tried this method today and it works a treat, no leaks at all. i will keep a tub of vasaline in the car now (hidden) in case it needs doing again, it must have took me all of 30 seconds to sort out so if it needs doing regular it doesnt really matter as its that easy to do.

zroadster.net

Leaking Soft Top

Leaking Soft Top

Damp seats

Joint

Re: Damp seats

Seals

leaking roof

Catch