BMW Z3 Roof Leaking Rear Window

rowlandw · Post by **rowlandw** » Mon 03 Oct, 2005 20:53

I have just brought a BMW Z3.
I have noticed that the material that covers the zip on the rear window has come out of the rubber surround on two of the corners.
I visited my local BMW dealer who said they would just replace the roof.
Does anyone know where i could get this fixed as the roof is in excellent condition besides this small fault.

Fixer · Post by **Fixer** » Mon 03 Oct, 2005 21:05

Get yourself down to Halfords and buy a tube of Locktite Black silicon, mask off the window so you don’t make a mess then squirt a fine line of sealer in were it needs repairing, now push the cloth back in with the blunt end of a pen knife or something similar, leave it to dry overnight, good as new.

Glasgow2.8 · Post by **Glasgow2.8** » Tue 04 Oct, 2005 07:30

When the dealer said they would replace the roof, were they saying they would do it under warranty? If so, forget any fixes and get it booked in.

rowlandw · Post by **rowlandw** » Tue 04 Oct, 2005 18:56

Glasgow2.8 wrote:When the dealer said they would replace the roof, were they saying they would do it under warranty? If so, forget any fixes and get it booked in.

I brought the car from a private seller out of autotrader.

Erha · Post by **Erha** » Wed 08 Feb, 2006 12:24

Fixer wrote:Get yourself down to Halfords and buy a tube of Locktite Black silicon, mask off the window so you don’t make a mess then squirt a fine line of sealer in were it needs repairing, now push the cloth back in with the blunt end of a pen knife or something similar, leave it to dry overnight, good as new.

I have the same problem as "rowlandw", and I recall seeing a DIY-instruction over here somewhere ages ago. Couldn't find it with search. I think it was some kind of cement that was used.

Thing is, I am wary of using any "superglue" or "black silicon", as I am not certain if those are bad for the roof fabric itself. The roof is intended to take replacing the rear window at least a couple of times, so you don't want to just glue it in permanently. The stuff that is used on the original BMW replacement window is a bit elastic and when it dries, it keeps the seam together, but when you take it off, you can also rub the stuff off to replace with the new stuff that comes with the new window.

So, the procedure itself is simple and clear to me, but what kind of cement/glue should be used?

John Boy · Post by **John Boy** » Wed 08 Feb, 2006 12:37

rowlandw wrote:I have just brought a BMW Z3.
I have noticed that the material that covers the zip on the rear window has come out of the rubber surround on two of the corners.
I visited my local BMW dealer who said they would just replace the roof.
Does anyone know where i could get this fixed as the roof is in excellent condition besides this small fault.

Use a butter knife to ease up the rubber suround and gently move the knife around the edge where it has come away and the material should go back under the rubber. This should seal the leak.

Erha · Post by **Erha** » Wed 08 Feb, 2006 12:54

John Boy wrote:Use a butter knife to ease up the rubber suround and gently move the knife around the edge where it has come away and the material should go back under the rubber. This should seal the leak.

As I know from experience that there should be some adhesive to keep the fabric sealed to the rubber surrounding, and mine doesn't seem to be sticky in any way any more, I would be interested in the adhesive to use..

Bloke wrote:I fix mine every spring with Halfrauds Silicone sealant, works a treat

Have you replaced your window? If so, can you rub that sealant off of the fabric, does it make the fabric stiff or is it still flexible?

Obviously I am too picky on this, but I want to do it right, and I know that there was a DIY with a guy at least as anal as me that had done it. That was with a bit of research which stuff would not be harmful to the canvas and why. If only could I find it...

Bloke · Post by **Bloke** » Wed 08 Feb, 2006 12:58

I fix mine every spring with Halfrauds Silicone sealant, works a treat

Bloke

Bloke · Post by **Bloke** » Wed 08 Feb, 2006 13:56

Erha wrote:
John Boy wrote:Use a butter knife to ease up the rubber suround and gently move the knife around the edge where it has come away and the material should go back under the rubber. This should seal the leak.
As I know from experience that there should be some adhesive to keep the fabric sealed to the rubber surrounding, and mine doesn't seem to be sticky in any way any more, I would be interested in the adhesive to use..

Bloke wrote:I fix mine every spring with Halfrauds Silicone sealant, works a treat
Have you replaced your window? If so, can you rub that sealant off of the fabric, does it make the fabric stiff or is it still flexible?

Obviously I am too picky on this, but I want to do it right, and I know that there was a DIY with a guy at least as anal as me that had done it. That was with a bit of research which stuff would not be harmful to the canvas and why. If only could I find it...

Nope, not changed my window, sorry cant be more help.
I do have a .pdf that was sent to me with instructions for removing and replacing the window though. PM me your email address and I will send it on

Bloke

Erha · Post by **Erha** » Thu 09 Feb, 2006 10:39

In the end I found the article that I remembered seeing... It was one of Shawn Fogg's fixes: http://ackthud.com/shawnfogg/topfix.htm

So, seems like the right stuff would be "Permatex Black Silicone". I'll need to go and get some of that and try it out on some other piece of fabric first and see how it affects it.

Anyway, thanks bloke for the window replacement instruction manual, I'm sure that'll come in handy at some phase, too.

cbzcbz · Post by **cbzcbz** » Sun 14 May, 2006 07:41

Got this problem on mine. But this fix looks simple enough

Erha · Post by **Erha** » Sun 14 May, 2006 09:27

Yep, I actually did it in February, and I used the Permatex Black Silicone very sparingly, in order not to get it too stuck for the rear window to be replaceable without ripping the canvas future.. It's been holding on great, looks good as new!

gilbem · Post by **gilbem** » Mon 15 May, 2006 13:45

I shall be doing this soon as my window also leeks at the bottow RH corner. Once the water seaps under the material it work its way through the zip teeth and soaks the back of the car. I have tried pushing it back under the lip but high speed driving shakes it out again. if only the hard ruber lip seal was bigger!

Could you let us know
1. if will still be possible to change the plastic window after this repair as I may do this first if not?
2. is the hard rubber lip seal that the fabric no longer fits under part of the hood or the window?

Erha · Post by **Erha** » Tue 16 May, 2006 10:31

1. It should be, at least that's why I decided to go with this fix. The Permatex stuff doesn't harden that bad, should be pretty similar to the original "glue" that's in there. Shortly put: I'm quite anal about my car and I had the courage to do it this way, so you should too.

Just don't overdo it, a small amount will be sufficient.

2. The rubber lip seal is part of the window, so if you find that to be main source of your problems, you could just replace the window itself.

big cheesy · Post by **big cheesy** » Thu 24 Aug, 2006 17:17

Anyone know what "rubbing alcohol" is in the fix guide by Shawn Fogg. Is there a branded or similar cleaning agent easily available that will not knack up the window plastics. It is used to pre clean the area before applying the silicon sealant ?

Deano1712 · Post by **Deano1712** » Thu 24 Aug, 2006 18:15

big cheesy wrote:Anyone know what "rubbing alcohol" is in the fix guide by Shawn Fogg. Is there a branded or similar cleaning agent easily available that will not knack up the window plastics. It is used to pre clean the area before applying the silicon sealant ?

Use methylated spirit - its pure alcohol and v cheap. Just done my rear screen and all seems well - no rain yet though to test it but best not complain! Also cleaned and sealed the roof with Autoglym - looks v good. Bright red again.

cleomantra · Post by **cleomantra** » Sat 21 Oct, 2006 23:24

hi rowlandw had the same prob used SIKAFLEX ADHESIVE I am in the marine game and if you water to be kept out this is the stuff to use it also is very flexable. its hundred times better than any normal silicon because silicon is not a adhesive.normally takes a 1 hour to cure.And it comes in and white and you can get it from a chandley or marine store.

cleomantra · Post by **cleomantra** » Sat 21 Oct, 2006 23:27

sorry I ment white and black not to sure on clear http://marinestore.co.uk/page/mrst/PROD ... /MD170142/

SRP 69 · Post by **SRP 69** » Thu 25 Mar, 2010 22:24

Hi,i need to repair my roof round the rear window.Approx 3'' at each side where the roof meets the large rubber strip(usual place!)
I cannot find ANYWHERE that sells Permatex black silicon adhesive sealent.
Anybody got any ideas?
Thanks in advance

zroadster.net

BMW Z3 Roof Leaking Rear Window

BMW Z3 Roof Leaking Rear Window

Did you buy it from a dealer?

Re: Did you buy it from a dealer?

Re: BMW Z3 Roof Leaking Rear Window

Re: BMW Z3 Roof Leaking Rear Window

Re: BMW Z3 Roof Leaking Rear Window

Found it!

window replacement?

Permatex