Top Garage in Denton for BMW Sunroof Drainage Issues

Having a sunroof really adds a whole new level to the BMW driving experience, giving you natural sunlight and open-air options that even make the vehicle feel a little bigger inside. Nothing can cramp your style more, however, than developing a leak in that sunroof. So, what do you do then?

Today we’re going to talk about why BMW sunroofs start leaking, followed by how those leaks are repaired, and we’re going to finish up with the way you can employ the proverbial ‘ounce of prevention’ to help keep things like a leaky sunroof in your BMW at bay!

If you’re ready, then let’s get started in the right place – where those leaks begin!

Why is my BMW Sunroof leaking?

When sunroof seals become worn, drainage tubes get clogged, or in cases where the sunroof wasn’t perfectly aligned when it got installed, leaks can and do occur. While an improper installation will usually become apparent pretty quickly, worn-out seals and clogged drainage tubes can take a long time to show up.

The good news is that tracking down the source of this leak is not going to be an issue for a good BMW shop, you’ll just want to get it in to them as soon as you can so that they can get a closer look at your sunroof and see what’s going on.

How Are BMW Sunroof Leaks Repaired?

When you bring your BMW in to have the sunroof checked out, once the source of the leaks has been identified, then repairs might look a little something like this:

• Worn-out seals – The first thing that your BMW specialist is going to check will be the seals, of course, as they’re the first line of defense against the elements outside. To do this, they’re going to examine the rubber seals, and also check the weather stripping to ensure that everything is still intact and elastic. If the elasticity has been compromised and the seal has hardened, or if damage to the seals are identified at this point then a quick replacement is in order to restore the integrity of your sunroof’s seals.
• Clogged drainage tubes – If everything seems good with the seals, then the next part of the check involves checking the drainage tubes and channels. Over time, as you’re driving around, little bits of gunk from the road and other contaminants can get in the channels or drainage tubes and build up until a clog occurs. As the tubes and channels are designed to divert water, rather than contain it, then this can lead to eventual leakage. During this part of the process, compressed air and soft-bristle brushes will allow the technician to gently and effectively unclog the drainage tubes and channels should it turn out that they’ve become impacted or otherwise compromised.
• Misalignment – If the installation is fairly new, then it’s likely your technician will check for this first. A misaligned sunroof can certainly cause leaking, as it won’t have all of its seals properly in place and even a very small degree of misalignment can cause the drainage system to function incorrectly. In cases like these, reinstalling the sunroof to correct the misalignment will take care of the issue.

Preventative Maintenance for Your BMW

Issues like sunroof leakance and other problems that BMW’s can develop over time are most easily avoided through a routine regimen of scheduled preventative maintenance. While you could certainly go with a ‘generalist’ garage, keep in mind that preventative maintenance is not really a ‘one size fits all’ thing when it comes to your BMW.

For instance, while many vehicles don’t recommend preventative maintenance until the first 10,000 miles, BMWS are extremely performance-driven machines, and so routine maintenance every 5000 miles is vital in order to keep your BMW running at its best.

Choosing a shop that not only knows BMW, but your specific model, can make a world of difference in getting the right maintenance at the right time and for avoiding model-specific issues that a general mechanic might not know about.

If you happen to live in Carrollton, Dallas, or the surrounding areas, then Ultimate Bimmer Service can help.

At Ultimate Bimmer Service we provide full-service repair, preventative maintenance, and upgrades, and we bring over a decade of experience to the table. Give us a call and find out firsthand the difference that having your own personal BMW medic can make – we look forward to earning and keeping your business.