3 years later and this video helped me find out a nasty smell that was being caused by clogged drains! Dude you're awesome! Thank you for taking the time to make this video, hope you still have the truck! Best regards from Houston, TX!
Thanks for the video it was really helpful. I am so disappointed in BMW as this has been a long time problem in all their vehicles with sunroofs. I had a 2005 X3 that was totally ruined by water intrusion, unfortunately I did not know how to deal with it at the time. Now I have a 2014 X5 that is experiencing the same issues. I do want to note that my 2014 front drains are located differently than your video shows they are located at the bottom of a small drain valley on the side but very close to the front of the opening. You can not really see them but you can find the small valley and if you keep poking the trimmer string down there eventually you should find them. I was definitely able to get just a bit more than 6" of string into the opening before being stopped by what I can only assume is an elbow in the system. I was barely able to clear with the string but once I did get some drainage I used both some canned air which I know can damage rubber hoses, but having a headliner and floors covered with water is bad also, I was careful and I followed up with the string again. Water flow got much better, I then poured about a cup of bleach/water mixture into the trough and let that go down and approximately 15 min later I poured a couple of cups of water into the trough and was surprised by how fast the water drained, it actually made a suction noise as the water was draining faster than I could pour while keeping the water in the trough. I am not recommending the canned air or the bleach as both can damage rubber tubing, it is just what I did and it was a big help, I tried this before without using either the bleach or the air and had minor success but this time I feel that I had great success. Anyway thanks for the video, it was a big help
You should try to spray wd40 in there then put hot water mixed with liquid laundry detergent in the clogged line on the drivers side to loosen up the gunk. Use a thick bass string from a bass guitar, its flexible but also fairly stiff when you push on it. If its still clogged attach the bass string to your drill and add some rotational force, that should definitely break loose any gunk in there.
Hey. Thank you for showing us this very clear way to do this. Your vid was very helpful because you didn't skip steps. Thank you. So I did the same on my e70 and same as you, only about 5 or 6 inches of the weed eater went in. I kept trying and I started working the string as a drill twisting it with my fingers back and forth and pushing it in at the same time. Probably more than "drilling" to make the string catch onto a bent. Eventually started going in just pushing it again. It went in about 18 inches but because that was the length of the piece of string I cut. Tomorrow after work, I will try it again using the whole reel of string and see if I can get it to go all the way through. Again, thank you for the video.
At 0:08 is my 05 Dodge Neon SRT-4. Stock turbo on e85 went 12.22 @119 MPH in the 1/4 mile. It's currently torn apart sitting in the corner of my garage.
Thanks for watching. Two things that popped in my head would be the weather stripping or the sunroof drain tube broke. If it was the tube I would imagine you would see water stains somewhere on the headliner or B pillars. Unfortunately, I can't really offer any more advice. Hopefully it's something easy and you can get it fixed
It makes sense to have clear lines, however i have water leaking along the back right on the wall behind the taillight where the control module into the battery compartment area. I cant tell whether its coming from the taillight (which i guess i could tape up the seams but im guessing more likely coming from the drain line area. did you source the leak on your end? if so, what was the fix?
I did not find the source. After cleaning the drains, I still had the water entry issue. After this, I replaced the outer taillight gasket and I put silicone around the grommet where the wires run to the hatch. I do have a video for that. It may have slowed the entry, but I still have a leak. Possibly the inner taillight? The only place I have water pool is on driver side compartment. It is dry by my batter and on the right with the fuse box. Good luck and thanks for watching!
Thanks for watching. It helped with the water leak, but did not stop it. My guess is seal around the taillight, which is the next thing I need to check. Also, did not fix the sound issue. I'm thinking something in there got damaged from the water over the years.
Thanks for your video on the sunroof drains. You could try using a motorcycle speedo cable inner which has flex but also pushing strength. Could you also do a video on lubricating the sliding mechanisms? Cheers.
See above comments... I had same issue and like others above used a combination rounding the tip of the line, twisting, and pushing to get it to make the turn. Then it was another 3 feet or so of straight run after that first elbow.
My sunroof won’t close properly on my x5 2009 , I’ve tried resetting it but the back one tilts at the back , I’ve got it nearly closed , in the the front needs go down about a 16th , thanks
Thanks for the video, I have the same drainage problem and with the radio and sound of my bus, did you solve that problem? I would like to know since I still do not have sound on my x5 Thanks!!!
I was told by a mechanic friend that it could blow the line apart. Since it runs down the interior behind the A pillar, it could cause water damage to the electronics behind the dash. I was told by another mechanic friend that it would be fine. I chose to play it safe and not take the chance. Thanks for watching!
Probably better with no drain doors. As it will let all flow out.instead of catching everything at the exit hole . Saves build up . I would remove those flood gates . Not really important as nothing is going to go back up it
I've read that if you blow compressed air in a completely clogged drain line it can blow apart the fittings or rupture the line, then you have a real problem. I used a twisting action and a lot of patience, got about 3' of line in before it finally started flowing. After running several bottles of hot water through, then I finally blew it out to get the last of the flow going, and rinsed with more hot water. Took a while but at least it didn't damage anything. I wouldn't start with compressed air.
3 years later and this video helped me find out a nasty smell that was being caused by clogged drains! Dude you're awesome! Thank you for taking the time to make this video, hope you still have the truck! Best regards from Houston, TX!
Thanks for the kind words! Much appreciated! Yes, we still have it.
Thanks for the video it was really helpful. I am so disappointed in BMW as this has been a long time problem in all their vehicles with sunroofs. I had a 2005 X3 that was totally ruined by water intrusion, unfortunately I did not know how to deal with it at the time. Now I have a 2014 X5 that is experiencing the same issues. I do want to note that my 2014 front drains are located differently than your video shows they are located at the bottom of a small drain valley on the side but very close to the front of the opening. You can not really see them but you can find the small valley and if you keep poking the trimmer string down there eventually you should find them. I was definitely able to get just a bit more than 6" of string into the opening before being stopped by what I can only assume is an elbow in the system. I was barely able to clear with the string but once I did get some drainage I used both some canned air which I know can damage rubber hoses, but having a headliner and floors covered with water is bad also, I was careful and I followed up with the string again. Water flow got much better, I then poured about a cup of bleach/water mixture into the trough and let that go down and approximately 15 min later I poured a couple of cups of water into the trough and was surprised by how fast the water drained, it actually made a suction noise as the water was draining faster than I could pour while keeping the water in the trough. I am not recommending the canned air or the bleach as both can damage rubber tubing, it is just what I did and it was a big help, I tried this before without using either the bleach or the air and had minor success but this time I feel that I had great success.
Anyway thanks for the video, it was a big help
Thanks for watching! I'm glad that the video was helpful. Good luck with your X5.
You should try to spray wd40 in there then put hot water mixed with liquid laundry detergent in the clogged line on the drivers side to loosen up the gunk. Use a thick bass string from a bass guitar, its flexible but also fairly stiff when you push on it. If its still clogged attach the bass string to your drill and add some rotational force, that should definitely break loose any gunk in there.
Thanks for the tip. I need to get it in the garage and do some other work on it. I'll give it a shot. Thanks for watching
Hey. Thank you for showing us this very clear way to do this. Your vid was very helpful because you didn't skip steps. Thank you.
So I did the same on my e70 and same as you, only about 5 or 6 inches of the weed eater went in. I kept trying and I started working the string as a drill twisting it with my fingers back and forth and pushing it in at the same time. Probably more than "drilling" to make the string catch onto a bent. Eventually started going in just pushing it again. It went in about 18 inches but because that was the length of the piece of string I cut. Tomorrow after work, I will try it again using the whole reel of string and see if I can get it to go all the way through.
Again, thank you for the video.
Glad it was helpful for you. I appreciate the kind words, and thanks for watching!
Thank you for the video my car was just have to replace a Amplifier now at least I know how to prevent it I have 2017 X5M btw
Glad you found it helpful! Thanks for watching!
Paldies par informaciju 0:08
At 0:08 is my 05 Dodge Neon SRT-4. Stock turbo on e85 went 12.22 @119 MPH in the 1/4 mile. It's currently torn apart sitting in the corner of my garage.
I just had to replace my fuse oanel on my bmw x5 2011 due to water damage. I also have water on the driver side. Now to go check my drains!
Thanks for watching! Hopefully this was helpful and you can get your X5 all fixed up!
i have water accumulating int he driver side rear door seals any idea where its coming from. thanks for the info great vid.
Thanks for watching. Two things that popped in my head would be the weather stripping or the sunroof drain tube broke. If it was the tube I would imagine you would see water stains somewhere on the headliner or B pillars. Unfortunately, I can't really offer any more advice. Hopefully it's something easy and you can get it fixed
@@WhiskeyRacing rhanks
Business starts at 4:17
Thanks for watching!
Thank you!!
It makes sense to have clear lines, however i have water leaking along the back right on the wall behind the taillight where the control module into the battery compartment area. I cant tell whether its coming from the taillight (which i guess i could tape up the seams but im guessing more likely coming from the drain line area. did you source the leak on your end? if so, what was the fix?
I did not find the source. After cleaning the drains, I still had the water entry issue. After this, I replaced the outer taillight gasket and I put silicone around the grommet where the wires run to the hatch. I do have a video for that. It may have slowed the entry, but I still have a leak. Possibly the inner taillight? The only place I have water pool is on driver side compartment. It is dry by my batter and on the right with the fuse box. Good luck and thanks for watching!
U need to drop the headliner and follow the line it could be the sunroof
I had the same issue
Very informative. Did it solve the water issue & did your sound back afterwards.
Thanks for watching. It helped with the water leak, but did not stop it. My guess is seal around the taillight, which is the next thing I need to check. Also, did not fix the sound issue. I'm thinking something in there got damaged from the water over the years.
Thanks for your video on the sunroof drains. You could try using a motorcycle speedo cable inner which has flex but also pushing strength. Could you also do a video on lubricating the sliding mechanisms? Cheers.
Thanks for watching!! I'll do a video on lubricating the mechanism in the future
Did you ever get to the front? I need to fix ours. The fronts make a 90 deg turn about 2-3" in & I cant get anything thru it
Nope. Hoping to get to it soon. The rear air suspension just went out, so I'll probably tackle it all in one weekend. Thanks for watching
See above comments... I had same issue and like others above used a combination rounding the tip of the line, twisting, and pushing to get it to make the turn. Then it was another 3 feet or so of straight run after that first elbow.
@@n00bmastersixt9pdx4how do you 'round the tip' of the line?
My sunroof won’t close properly on my x5 2009 , I’ve tried resetting it but the back one tilts at the back , I’ve got it nearly closed , in the the front needs go down about a 16th , thanks
Thanks for watching. Sorry I can't offer much help on getting that fixed. Hope you get it figured out
@@WhiskeyRacing ok thanks 🙏🏴👍
Thanks for the video, I have the same drainage problem and with the radio and sound of my bus, did you solve that problem? I would like to know since I still do not have sound on my x5
Thanks!!!
Glad you enjoyed the video. I haven't had any luck with the sound issue. I'm planning on getting into it a bit more here soon. Thanks for watching!
Does debris fall in the hole when you open the sunroof ?
Not necessarily fall in the hole, but dirt, leaves, etc can sit in the channels and get washed into the drain when it rains. Thanks for watching.
Cuz my wife is asleep I watched the video without sound, and maybe you addressed it, but why not use an air compressor?
I was told by a mechanic friend that it could blow the line apart. Since it runs down the interior behind the A pillar, it could cause water damage to the electronics behind the dash. I was told by another mechanic friend that it would be fine. I chose to play it safe and not take the chance. Thanks for watching!
The tubes in the rear are very thick u should be able to run a heavy wire in there
Probably better with no drain doors.
As it will let all flow out.instead of catching everything at the exit hole .
Saves build up .
I would remove those flood gates .
Not really important as nothing is going to go back up it
Indeed. I have them off and are staying clear. Thanks for watching!
Same problem - X5 F15 standing in hard rain, water in the boot.
Seems to be a common thing across the models and generations of BMWs. Hope you get it figured out and thanks for watching!
I unclogged the drainage by pouring some water, inserting a 1/4 hose and blowing it. Might be the easiest way to start.
Thanks for the tip. I'll give it a shot. Thanks for watching!
air blow is much easier and works perfectly
Appreciate the tip and thanks for watching!
I've read that if you blow compressed air in a completely clogged drain line it can blow apart the fittings or rupture the line, then you have a real problem. I used a twisting action and a lot of patience, got about 3' of line in before it finally started flowing. After running several bottles of hot water through, then I finally blew it out to get the last of the flow going, and rinsed with more hot water. Took a while but at least it didn't damage anything. I wouldn't start with compressed air.
Ur car need a lot of care dude to be a beeme lover....just saying
Drive one and you will know why we love them !