So how was the sunroof designed?

[87e30]

My sunroof leaks. But I've been reading that the small rubber weather strip around the metal cover isn't designed to keep water out. That's why there are drain holes. Well is this the real design, seems really stupid too me. When to much water gets in there and slides backwards (away from the wholes) it pours down into the cabin. This design is either really bad or my sunroof is messed up. Or both I suppose.

Any help or just information about how this works would be appreciated. My drain holes don't seem to be clogged, but I poured water down them and I'm not sure where it is supposed to come out.

[jlevie]

If the drains are operating properly, water that gets past the seal will run out under that car. If that's not happening the drains are plugged up.

[Nicademus]

Where do you live in Seattle?

[AndrewBird]

The drains run backwards and down into the trunk. There are vents/ drains on each side that come out under the bumper. Often, the tube running to them will come undone and all the water will drain straight into your trunk. This is why many e30's are rusted out in this spot.

Try using a piece of wire and/or compressed air to clear them out.

[AlpineIS]

What you've read is very true. Our sunroofs were designed to accept water past the seal. The water is collected by a 'roof gutter' that is attached to the rear of the liner and channels the water to the sides where the drains are. It is a real poor design IMO. Another E30 bud of mine recently came to realize this because both of our roofs leaked and both of our liners were removed.

This is also the reason why are roofs rust to crap - most probably caused by the constant moisture that is present within the sunroof assembly.

So...is your liner removed? If not, then you should check your drains as already stated. There are 2 fore and 2 aft.

[87e30]

Thanks for the help guys. I was unaware of the drains in the back. How can I find these.

I poured water into the front drains and it took a long time for it to drain out... like way to long to be effective imo. So I should use compressed air on those drains (they are in plain sight.)

How do I get to the back ones?

What a shitty design.

I'm in the U-District for Nicademus.

[87e30]

So I'm still not understanding this. I spent like 2 hours re aligning my sunroof the other day. And I got it pretty close to flush all around when it's closed. But if I put the hose onto the roof I could sit there and watch water drip in through the back straight onto the seat. I'm confused as to how this has anything to do with a drain. If it drips straight on my head a drain won't help this.

[mikeedler]

the gutter for the rear portion is missing then, or it is incorrectly put in.

Its not a poor design at all--- all of the new BMWS still have the exact same design as the e30-- the seal is for air noises.

the poor preventive maint. is the weak point here, along with someone along the ways possibly not putting it all back together correctly. Get some welding rod and jam it carefully down the tubes-- compressed air isnt really a good idea IMO cause the tube can be blown off and dislodged somewhere in the c pillar area. look in a chilton or somewhere at how it should all be assembled.

[87e30]

I'd call it a poor design when my honda just has a rubber seal which keeps out all of the water + the noise. No fancy drainage needed. No moisture inside the car.

Anywho, perhaps I am missing some parts of it. The lining is also missing. I guess I'll need to inspect it some more.


So how can I access those rear drain tubes?

[Dozyproductions]

honda?! BLASPHEMY!

[norcalE30]

i have to agree, it is a really bad design

[87e30]

So how can I access those rear drain tubes?

And does anyone have pictures of this rear gutter, looking at my car my headlinger comes out and wraps around the metal that is between the roof and the headliner. Don't know how to describe it but it looks good to me. I'm missing the sunroof panel lining though.

[GOOBER]

thread bump

Has anyone used a seal off another car that will work on the panel and actually keeps the water out?

I'm having a water issue and have tried to correct the problem but I've still got leakage and a wet carpet

[e30slut]

not that bad of a design when you think of it.

when that rubber from other sunroofs corrodes or breaks from constand opening and closing, then what?

the sunroof on our cars barely have to be touched maintenance wise.

[Pavlo]

You don't sound like you should work on cars...