bmwe21.net forums

Okay, I've done some searching on here and I've found a few possibilities for my heavily leaking sunroof.

One thing I want to clear up is the seal, I presume it is just the seal that goes onto the roof panel that I need? I'm not missing anything?

The seal is from Walloth, is it likely that it's a dud? It fitted very well, and seemed to be a good item, maybe not?

The bulk of the water appeared to come from the rear of the sunroof, this might be down to coincidence, but is there any reason this might be the case?

Can the sunroof panel be adjusted to create a better fit, I didn't spot anything myself when I put it all back together?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

Where exactly do you experience leaks? From the roof, right under the sunroof, the rear of the roof, or do you have wet mats?

The seal is supposed to keep most of the water out, but it doesn't block it. That's why you have 4 drains. 2 that go into the a-pillars and that you can see (round holes) with the roof open, and 2 that are run into the c-pillars at the back, out of sight. Some might be clogged, rusted or not connecting correctly at the bottom.

The water was sat on/in the headlining in the sunroof.

So it had come through at roof height.

The headlining was saturated with water, mainly to the rear of the sunroof.

Hmmm that doesn't really give a definitive answer. Car may be leaning a bit backwards, or parked like that, the rear of the sunroof mechanism may be rusted badly. And do make sure the seal runs all round. I even had leaks on my E36 when I git her as the two ends of the seal were abt 1 cm apart letting through way too much water during heavy rainfall. After fixing that the leaks were all gone.

I'm pretty sure people have something to add to my guesses!

drains are possibly blocked as already said. I had an E34 estate that did exactly the same at about 6 years old. Clearing the drains (which was easier said than done) cured it. Heres a test. with the sunroof open, you carefully pour some water in at the side of the sunroof ( not straight into the interior - that would be silly) If the drains are clear, water will appear on the ground near the back wheel.

Most likely to be your rain tray ether your missing it or its inside the roof it sits at the back of the sunroof and catches the rain,mine did the same have a look should be able to see it when it's tilted order one from bmw

It was the rain tray in the end.

It had come away from the sunroof during removal and had slid down the roof void.

Unfortunately it wasn't me who removed the sunroof, so I didn't realise it was missing when I refitted it.

Appears to be sorted now though.