Struggling roof

[nfarmer]

Can anyone recommend anywhere to get it done in the warwickshire area or is the general feeling most garages could tackle the jOb?

This isnt a job I would trust to an inexperienced garage, its quite complicated and there are a few points where experience pays off. To get a flavour look at this site. http://www.shipkiller.com/Softtop_Main.html

Not quite in your area but Pete at Autotech Telford http://www.autotechperformance.co.uk/ replaced mine for approx £550, did a first class job and its well worth the trip. i have used him now for some suspension work on my wifes E46 and servicing on my Z4 - highly recommended

[JeffInMonterey]

I, too, have a non-working roof in my 2006 E85, 32000 miles, California car. The top became 'loose'. I could manually lower the roof one handed, and with a little effort raise it manually. I finally have decided to have it repaired, and I have had a couple of surprises. The roof stopped working very suddenly (while I was out of town and my son 'borrowed' the car). The kid did take the car to the dealer and they found that the switches and all were working, but needed to remove the top for further investigation. That was going to be VERY expensive After doing considerable research on the repairs and seeing all the rusty motors, that was what I was expecting. I made arrangements with a BMW trained tech to help me do the work as I don't have good enough skills when it comes to auto repairs. In any case, we finally got the top out, and the motor looks brand new. NO rust, no water, dry, dry, dry. The drains work fine. There is plenty of fluid in the reservoir, in fact it matches the new motor . There was some hydraulic fluid on the outside of the motor, however, making us think that perhaps there is a leak in the motor. We are now having a little trouble getting the top back in so we can electrically test the operation. If anyone has any further insight as to what could be wrong, please let me know. Can the motors or the cables leak? I would think that the motors could be rebuilt or repaired, but no one seems to be able to do that.

[Bing]

Did your son pull the red handle in the trunk that lets the fluid run freely through the motor to allow manual operation ?

[JeffInMonterey]

Actually, no. It was working fine when I left to go on my trip. In addition, the dealer checked all that out and could not find what was wrong. When I got back from my trip, I did try the cable and it did not help.

[Bing]

Curious. I have a broken motor right now and like you have read loads on it. I've never come across your problem though. Assuming your tech has checked all the electrics in the car for current ? If I recall correctly you can test the motor by just running a 12v source over it out of the car. Other than that I am stumped

[fixit man]

I, too, have a non-working roof in my 2006 E85, 32000 miles, California car. The top became 'loose'. I could manually lower the roof one handed, and with a little effort raise it manually. I finally have decided to have it repaired, and I have had a couple of surprises. The roof stopped working very suddenly (while I was out of town and my son 'borrowed' the car). The kid did take the car to the dealer and they found that the switches and all were working, but needed to remove the top for further investigation. That was going to be VERY expensive After doing considerable research on the repairs and seeing all the rusty motors, that was what I was expecting. I made arrangements with a BMW trained tech to help me do the work as I don't have good enough skills when it comes to auto repairs. In any case, we finally got the top out, and the motor looks brand new. NO rust, no water, dry, dry, dry. The drains work fine. There is plenty of fluid in the reservoir, in fact it matches the new motor . There was some hydraulic fluid on the outside of the motor, however, making us think that perhaps there is a leak in the motor. We are now having a little trouble getting the top back in so we can electrically test the operation. If anyone has any further insight as to what could be wrong, please let me know. Can the motors or the cables leak? I would think that the motors could be rebuilt or repaired, but no one seems to be able to do that.

Hi, as bing said it sounds like it's in bypass mode, check to see if the little brass button on the hyd pump is pressed in(it's under a black plastic mechanism where the manual cable goes on) , the button should NOT be in...If it is that's the problem, can you hear the motor running ?

[MarkoJenks]

I have the same issue on my Z4. I took it to an approved BMW specialist and they advised that it isn’t the motor as it would struggle to come up not down. They suggested topping up the reservoir for the motor and lubricating the wires for the roof mechanism. I haven’t had time to try yet.

[enuff_zed]

I have the same issue on my Z4. I took it to an approved BMW specialist and they advised that it isn’t the motor as it would struggle to come up not down. They suggested topping up the reservoir for the motor and lubricating the wires for the roof mechanism. I haven’t had time to try yet.

Welcome to the forum.
I would suggest you run very fast from that specialist!!!
The only wires are electrical so cannot see how you are supposed to lubricate them.
If the hydraulic system had a leak it would have emptied quickly and not work at all. So topping it up sounds a bit pointless.
The pump has two directions of operation, up and down. Either one can become weaker.

Step 1: Get the motor moved into the boot where it can be worked on.
Step 2: Check fluid level.
Step 3: Fit a different pump head and see if that cures it.

So, whereabouts are you? Several of us on here are able to do all that for you at a fraction of dealership prices. We also hold spares (new or secondhand) and have plenty of practice at fixing these.

[MarkoJenks]

Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately I live in the south west so too far to bring it but I appreciate your advice ( unless you’re coming to Cornwall with your tools) for info the roof motor is in the boot.

[enuff_zed]

Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately I live in the south west so too far to bring it but I appreciate your advice ( unless you’re coming to Cornwall with your tools) for info the roof motor is in the boot.

How far for you to Bristol? Alan (Number5) is your closest bet.
But if it is already in the boot then maybe simply bolt in a new motor and pump assembly.
Sometimes the move into the boot pulls on the bypass cable. Unbolt the cable holder from the pump and you’ll see a brass plunger. Try twisting this to ensure it is fully out. If half in it can reduce the pump efficiency.