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Clean out soft-top drain
- pvr
- Legend
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- Location: South East UK
Re: Clean out soft-top drain
Sounds a lot more simple if you could do it that way, just bend it a bit, pull the plug and clean up.
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911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
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Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
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Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain
I have a 53 plate Z4 and there are rivets underneath but they do not need to be removed to remove the bit of trim. There's an 8 mm nut underneath in a little recess that needs removing.
That's 2 8mm & 1 10mm in the arch and 1 8mm underneath.
That's 2 8mm & 1 10mm in the arch and 1 8mm underneath.
- Georgio
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- Location: Hockley, Essex
Re: Clean out soft-top drain
Absolutely. I found there was no need to remove any more bolts apart from the three holding the top section of the splashguard.
Just bend the splash guard forwards from the top, reach in towards the door sill, fumble around a bit for the plug and yank it out, easy.
You do need to remove the wheel in order to bend the splash guard enough to get your hand in, but that's a 1 minute job assuming your nuts aren't air torqued on.
I wanted to have a good look at my brakes anyways, so it was a no-brainer to remove the wheel.
Just bend the splash guard forwards from the top, reach in towards the door sill, fumble around a bit for the plug and yank it out, easy.
You do need to remove the wheel in order to bend the splash guard enough to get your hand in, but that's a 1 minute job assuming your nuts aren't air torqued on.
I wanted to have a good look at my brakes anyways, so it was a no-brainer to remove the wheel.
andysat wrote:So could you move the plastic wheel arch cover without removing the bottom bolts?Georgio wrote:Reasonable afternoon here today so decided to tit about seeing how bad my drains were.
Didn't bother with the breaking rivets off bit, just simply took the wheel off, removed the three bolt headed screws from the top of the splash guard pull the guard forward, reach backwards and pull out the plug, ream the hole a bit, refit and repeat.
Took me about 20 mins tops including 5 mins playing hunt the locking wheel nut key...
E85 2.0l 2006 Zeeee 4 Roadster, black with black leather, whippy spec. and a few toys.
3 kids, one wife so a Zed makes a perfect family car in that you leave the family at home...
3 kids, one wife so a Zed makes a perfect family car in that you leave the family at home...
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain
O.k., guys (non-sexist), try this one. I have the top off my '03 Z 4 for hydraulic motor/pump repair; thought I'd check the drains while they were accessible. Motor side, no problem: poured some water down the drain hole, came right out the bottom. Other (right) side - no hole! There is no hole! Shallow depression about 1" dia. molded in the bottom of the drain well, but no hole.
What do I do, just drill a hole?
What do I do, just drill a hole?
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain
Sounds very strange,pictures would help. But there should be a drain hole either sidelakeeriesailor wrote:O.k., guys (non-sexist), try this one. I have the top off my '03 Z 4 for hydraulic motor/pump repair; thought I'd check the drains while they were accessible. Motor side, no problem: poured some water down the drain hole, came right out the bottom. Other (right) side - no hole! There is no hole! Shallow depression about 1" dia. molded in the bottom of the drain well, but no hole.
What do I do, just drill a hole?
57 plate 2ltr sport which is my daily, now sadly sold!!! Has been an adventure.
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain
I will try to post a picture a bit later.
- bcworkz
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain
I wouldn't consider just drilling a hole unless the tubing to carry the water to it's discharge point is in place. Who knows where the water will end up otherwise? And you'll get dirt, insects, and noise coming through the hole into the passenger compartment without the tubing in place.
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- Ewazix
- Lifer
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain
Not according to some members several post-facelift owners have reported the same wet motor problems despite the improved sealing of the housing - someone even suggested the sealing was actually keeping more water inside the housing once the thing was flooded, so drain cleaning is still going to be worthwhile.pvr wrote:Just to note that this issue was resolved in the facelift model.
Such a c**ap design
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2018 Cooper S Countryman
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- pvr
- Legend
- Posts: 26365
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:27 pm
- Location: South East UK
Re: Clean out soft-top drain
I posted that in 2009 though ...Ewazix wrote:Not according to some members several post-facelift owners have reported the same wet motor problems despite the improved sealing of the housing - someone even suggested the sealing was actually keeping more water inside the housing once the thing was flooded, so drain cleaning is still going to be worthwhile.pvr wrote:Just to note that this issue was resolved in the facelift model.
Such a c**ap design
Current:
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
- ranski
- Lifer
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Clean out soft-top drain
Many failed motors since then!
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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- andysat
- Lifer
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- Ewazix
- Lifer
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- Joined: Sun May 02, 2010 5:30 pm
- Location: Somerset
Re: Clean out soft-top drain
Sorry I hadn't noticed it was originally an old thread, I thought it was oddpvr wrote:I posted that in 2009 though ...Ewazix wrote:Not according to some members several post-facelift owners have reported the same wet motor problems despite the improved sealing of the housing - someone even suggested the sealing was actually keeping more water inside the housing once the thing was flooded, so drain cleaning is still going to be worthwhile.pvr wrote:Just to note that this issue was resolved in the facelift model.
Such a c**ap design
2003 2.5 SE, low miles, Sterling Grey, 108's & Eagles, no stubby here! Unmolested.
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
- aquazi
- Lifer
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- Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2009 9:20 pm
- Location: Derby + N. London
Re: Clean out soft-top drain
I cleaned my drains for the first time today... Complely blocked full of mud like substance
I removed the plugs and shoved a straw up there until they were clearer... But not 100%
Spent ages trying to unscrew the plugs then realised they just pull out
I removed the plugs and shoved a straw up there until they were clearer... But not 100%
Spent ages trying to unscrew the plugs then realised they just pull out
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain
I've left my plugs out.
- Stuart Truman
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Re: Clean out soft-top drain
A small bottle brush with nylon bristles on a wire handle works a treat, you push it up and the bristles trap all the debris and pull it outaquazi wrote:I cleaned my drains for the first time today... Complely blocked full of mud like substance
I removed the plugs and shoved a straw up there until they were clearer... But not 100%
Spent ages trying to unscrew the plugs then realised they just pull out
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Z4M Roadster, Imola Red, with Stubby and Intravee II. Low Miles per Gallon, High Smiles per Gallon
Previously Alpina Roadster S #69 Alpina Blue