Discussion
Unfortunately, if not careful, you can make big mistakes/assumptions here and make matters much worse.
Oh hell my sunroof leaks, is what you think is the problem.
The actual issue is that it doesn't drain water away.
They are not designed to seal, they are designed to let small amounts of water through which is channelled away down drainage tubes.
Most drainage tubes are plumbed down the A-pillar into the scuttle or inner wing.
The stain that you can see is where the pool that isn't being drained away is over-flowing.
What you actually need to find is where the tubes are, and rod them through to clear them & allow the water to drain away faster.
Occasionally they become detached from the guttering, but hopefully that isn't the case as that is harder to sort out.
Oh hell my sunroof leaks, is what you think is the problem.
The actual issue is that it doesn't drain water away.
They are not designed to seal, they are designed to let small amounts of water through which is channelled away down drainage tubes.
Most drainage tubes are plumbed down the A-pillar into the scuttle or inner wing.
The stain that you can see is where the pool that isn't being drained away is over-flowing.
What you actually need to find is where the tubes are, and rod them through to clear them & allow the water to drain away faster.
Occasionally they become detached from the guttering, but hopefully that isn't the case as that is harder to sort out.
Sunroof drains will be blocked
Seal has failed through age
There are How To's on Google and YouTube on how to remove and repair, but it does mean headliner out and sunroof cassette removed (easier that was as the job can be done properly)
My pals E38 728i Sport had the same issue, took us a day to fix...
Have plenty of gloves, keep changing them so you don't dirty the headliner etc...
It's deffo a DIY job if you're OK with spanners etc...
Undo the battery and remove both front seats. Much better room then and better access...
Just don't shut the boot lid and wind the windows down beforehand so you've full access etc
Seal has failed through age
There are How To's on Google and YouTube on how to remove and repair, but it does mean headliner out and sunroof cassette removed (easier that was as the job can be done properly)
My pals E38 728i Sport had the same issue, took us a day to fix...
Have plenty of gloves, keep changing them so you don't dirty the headliner etc...
It's deffo a DIY job if you're OK with spanners etc...
Undo the battery and remove both front seats. Much better room then and better access...
Just don't shut the boot lid and wind the windows down beforehand so you've full access etc
NA1983 said:
Thank you Dan.
When I was drafting my reply, I left and then finished off my reply without refreshing.
We now have a new problem. Could it be related?
Both front doors do not unlock. The rear doors open fine and all interior lights come on when unlocked with the key fob.
Pressing the unlock button on the lower centre console does nothing expect lock the rear doors.
Pulling the door handles inside the car do nothing.
He also put the key into the lock and turned left pass the pressure point but nothing except a buzzing type sound?
Thank you.
That could be all sorts; but usually one of the modules has gone bad/failed, or it could be the ignition switch at fault...When I was drafting my reply, I left and then finished off my reply without refreshing.
We now have a new problem. Could it be related?
Both front doors do not unlock. The rear doors open fine and all interior lights come on when unlocked with the key fob.
Pressing the unlock button on the lower centre console does nothing expect lock the rear doors.
Pulling the door handles inside the car do nothing.
He also put the key into the lock and turned left pass the pressure point but nothing except a buzzing type sound?
Thank you.
I'm fairly out of date with E38s now, but their issues aren't too dissimilar to the E39s etc; and they suffer the same niggles generally...
Do you know if you've had serious water ingress into the drivers side and into the fuse box that's under the drivers seat carpet?
Also; it's worth having a good look at Timm's meeknet E38 website:
https://www.meeknet.co.uk/E38/
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