BMW X5 Water leaks in trunk area - Sunroof Drains explained; recommended clearing technique

[@ianskinner1619]

this is awesome, great video,i've been having dampness on my seatbelts and odd electrical gremlins, i had assumes it was related, but i thought the dampness was me losing my mind.. now i realize the drip tray has probably been overflowing all along it's perimeter

[@drwood73]

Good tip on utilizing a shop vac.. can't believe all the stuff I'm dealing with this 2013 BMW.. just "fixed" the door handle issue that cuts off all sound & now I'm trying to clear up the rear gate issue that's directly associated with this leak.. craziness

[@MLeung-vl7we]

My driver-side drain hole was clogged. After locating the hole, it was very clear. I was expecting to see leaves and some muddy debris. I hot-clued a six-inch vinyl tube into a flexible plastic bottle after punching or drilling a hole in the cap. Filled it with some hot water and stuck the tube in the hole. At first, it didn't drain, and water accumulated. By working the tube back and forth, and squeezing and releasing the bottle, dirt started to get sucked back into the bottle. Did it for a few more seconds, and it cleared. Drained the remaining water into the hole and repeated to flush out any loose dirt that can cake up at the end of the drain tube where there's a flap-like plug. There is no need to remove internal panels, tires, or fender lining. Cleared the remaining holes with my "hand water pressure vacuum". and greased the tracks. I would recommend checking all the drain holes once/year. Water egress is terrible.

[@garyvanremortel5218]

This is also a problem with the newer F15 X5 and caused my liftgate module alarm to sound as the water sloshed around in the rear passenger side compartment. The humidity in the left compartment due to the presence of water also took out my radio amplifier. I have now drilled 1/8" doles in the bottoms of both compartments to ensure that water doesn't accumulate and sealed both bases of the accordion grommets to the metal.

[@dianam9848]

A can of compressed air for cleaning computer keyboards sprayed in the roof hole worked and I didn't need to take my car apart. But I already did. On my 2007 X5, the front drain tube is not over the tire. It is up by the running light closer to the mirror. You do not need to take off the tire, just turn it toward the engine. Take off pop rivets and fender trim and a few bolts to peel back wheel well plastic. You can reach in and pull off rubber squishy a few inches under the running light.

[@bmw12347]

I don't understand what you mean by running light closer to mirror. What are running light and mirror?

[@dianam9848]

@@bmw12347 between the mirror on the side of the car and the tire, there is a light on the side of the car. The drain is in this area. You can reach up from the bottom behind the tire.

[@bmw12347]

@@dianam9848 Thanks. So between side mirror and the signal light. Correct?

[@dianam9848]

@@bmw12347 not the headlight but the light on the side. Right behind that.

[@tomconner5067]

If those element check flaps are stuck open or closed, or there is sediment preventing watertight condition when in the closed position, brought have a potential problem. If during the fall you're parked near trees outside of garage, and leaves accumulate in tailgate gutter where it curves downward ( down spout ) theyll collect as they contact the rubber wiring harness bellows on both sides of the upper tailgate but just below the sunroof drain spout flaps, you're only lacking one more ingredient at a significant volume, lets say a moderate rainy day, and that acts like a clogged storm drain, because it is, and the open flaps or inadequately sealing flaps are a path of least resistance and those abouts are like miniature culverts flooding your interior that is very much heavuky equipped and loaded with vulnerable highly sensitive mon waterproofef electronics

[@bmw12347]

My X5 E70 has water leak into the left side of the trunk. I inserted a tube from the drain hole on top of the hatch opening and it smoothly came out from the sunroof. So there is no blockage. I can't figure out why it is leaking in the trunk from water from the sunroof. Do you know how the rear inlet and outlet drain holes are connected? It can't be just a single direct hose, right?

[@manz7277]

Thanks for making this, it's very helpful! Are the rear drain tube flaps (at 2:42) meant to be closed or open? I broke mine off attempting to unclog the drain. Not sure If I should seal it closed it leave it open?

[@YuDaMan]

they are essentially a hinge flap so they open when water is trying to exit and are closed otherwise. You may not have really broken them off. It's possible they will snap back in if you're careful and gentle with them. They are meant to pivot open with the presence of water. I'd appreciate a LIKE and a subscription since you found my video helpful. Thanks!!!!

[@yassirc3681]

Just what i was looking. Many thanks!

[@YuDaMan]

If you find other leaks spots, be sure to share your findings here. I still have not 100% stopped the water leaks but they are substantially reduced.

[@anthonyngo7529]

Where is connector from the wire trunk can u tell me more?

[@horacesawyer2487]

Like the way you presented this. Now if I can just find out why water is entering the liftgate itself and draining out the lock mechanism when I raise it. Also dripping out of rubber collector things at the corners of the liftgate / tailgate. Anybody chime in please. I've looked at it 3 times already

[@YuDaMan]

check out my other videos....probably thru the black wiring harness boot

[@horacesawyer2487]

@@YuDaMan : I think you're right. Thank you

[@fivestarhemi2877]

How did you fix the trunk? Mines started beeping like crazy today, a annoying beep on the trunk and our fuze box is wet, i had to pull out the fuse for it to stop beeping, now im depending on a guy like you and KZbin to help me with the vehicle. Thanks this was very helpful

[@YuDaMan]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHPLoIhpbLycaJY&ab_channel=YuDaMan

[@johnalvitre3154]

Gave you a like, thanks for the video. Smart way to vacuum the line too.

[@YuDaMan]

Thanks 👍

[@rmessiasross]

Hi. I have my front fender liner removed and can't find the drain. Where should I look? Great video! Liked and subscribed

[@YuDaMan]

Have you found the tiny drain hole in the front corner of the sunroof cassette tray? Do NOT blow compressed air or you might pop off the line inside the A pillar and then you will have REAL problems. The end of the drain tube is probably clogged. The end of the tube has some contraption on the end which gets filled with dirt and blocks the water flow. It should be easy to identify. Find a tube that just ends with something hanging on it. In the meantime, I will try to find a pic and I will update this reply or and a link.

[@YuDaMan]

check out this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJzGgHSKp7d8Y6M .... it's similar and gives you and idea of what you're looking for ....

[@uswwt]

@@YuDaMan LOL, I watched that video yesterday. And today I took front wheel off and the linear off, spent a good 30 min looking everywhere but still couldn't find any holes or whatever contraption there. This was a 2010 X5 E70. When I searched online. Many people are claiming many things. I have yet to find out exactly where the front drain exists. The latest info I found was to take off the kick panels from the driver/panesener area, peel back the carpret/linear( On the driver side the FRM model has to come off). That will allow access to the drain line. I will give that a shot tomorrow.

[@blackdiamondgreg]

Thanks for the solution!

[@markschmid3028]

Once you fixed the problem and dried everything out, did your tailgate work again? Or did you have to replace electronics? Had huge rainstorms the last few days, tailgate stopped working, and I just found 2 inches of water in the same place... Great video and thanks for your help!

[@YuDaMan]

Mine did NOT work because faults eventually became permanently stored in the HKL module and I did not have a tool to reset the faults (still working on an economical solution for that). The video shows I replaced it with a used module because my original did not work after drying it out. However, some have reported success drying it out and then trying it. Keep your old one if you replace it. I might be willing to buy it if I'm able to get my coder to clear the faults in my old unit.

[@YuDaMan]

UPDATE: I used an excellent tool on an Android phone to clear the faults. Unfortunately, the module still does not work. My last attempt to fix the failed one will be to literally bake the control circuit board (removed from the module enclosure) in the oven.

[@shuairenchen]

I had the same issue of leakage happening at the grommet, except on the opposite side. Did you end up replacing the grommet?

[@YuDaMan]

I did NOT replace the grommet. Doing so is too big a job because you have to remove all the wiring. The grommet did not have any tears in it so I lifted it up and sealed it with silicone RTV. I actually used red color instead of black so I could visually inspect the amount and location of the sealant. Good luck. Let us know if this repair works for you and be sure to give me a LIKE. I'd appreciate a SUBSCRIBE. Thanks