hi there, I’ve just taken delivery of a 1999 Z3 2.8. The roof opens well however it just doesn’t seem to collapse far enough to allow me to fit the tourneo. Any suggestions please?
Thank you
Thank you
Help with opening roof
- Thread starter Si Mcinerney
- Start date
Have you tried applying a little pressure to close it? Could be stiff joints in the frame if it hasn't been used in a while. Another possible reason is that there may be too much oil in the system if it's recently been topped up and overfilled.
Is it a powered top or a manual top?
You need to close the front catches when the top is down to fit the Tourneo
You need to close the front catches when the top is down to fit the Tourneo
Thank you, I believe it’s the second reason you give as all is smooth until the last part as it just doesn’t go all the way in. Maybe the last 15cm
It’s a powered top, even with the catches closed it doesn’t quite go down far enough, maybe 15cm short.
How do you drain a little oil please?
To be perfectly honest I don't know without looking into it, but there is a relief valve or tap on the pump where you can depressurize the system.
An easy way to check if the roof frame is stiff is to just disconnect the hydraulic ram from pump/motor that bolts onto the roof frame. It's just one bolt. With this disconnected you should then be able to just push the frame flat. If it don't go flat, the problem is in the frame not the pump.
I'd do this before trying to take some oil out of the system.
Good point, I’ve seen the manual switch over option. Thank you
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2016
- Points
- 208
- Location
- Maybole , South Ayrshire
- Model of Z
- Z3 Individual Dakar / Orinoco Individual
Do you have any pictures of your roof down
You have to physically close the last gap by hand on a Z3, same as you have to push it back a little when you open it before the hydraulics take over.
Tony.
Tony.
I try to push it however it resists
Even with trying to push it the last part of its journey, it doesn’t go far enough down to fit the torne cover.Come on old fella, get with it,hes on bout openening it, not closing it
Have you checked the simple stuff like making sure there is nothing in the well where the roof goes is clear?
Ask me how I know
Where are you based? Someone may be near you for a second opinion.
Ask me how I know
Where are you based? Someone may be near you for a second opinion.
Some good advise here and I hope it’s something simple but I have seen this before when the roof has been forced against the hydraulic ram, the arm that connects to the ram car get distorted if forced and this will not allow the roof to fully open.
Yep, all clear. I’m in harrogate.Have you checked the simple stuff like making sure there is nothing in the well where the roof goes is clear?
Ask me how I know
Where are you based? Someone may be near you for a second opinion.
Best bet would be disconnect the ram and try it manually then.
Tony.
Tony.
Will do
Don't want to confuse things, but when I bought my car, the guy said that the small key (pictured) was for releasing the soft top if the motor failed. He said he'd never used it, and neither have I, but is it possible that this would release the ram without having to disconnect it? Just a thought...
Definitely not. The small key in your photo is to turn the alarm sounder off under the bonnet.