Since the rubber nipple located at the bottom of the drains seems to part of the problem with the drains clogging up, Why not remove the rubber nipples and leave them off. It would seem that the open pipe, less rubber nipple, would be less likely to clog up ?
Thanks in advance Z4 2004
Remove them on both sides. They do nother but cause problems
Maybe they were meant to keep spiders or other bugs from getting in there. Whether you leave them on or take them off, the drains should be periodically be checked. That does remind me that I need to check mine.
2006 Z4 ///M - Interlagos Blue/Beige
Removing the drain valves doesn’t solve the problem. Some people have had their valves removed for years. There is a narrow lumen and curved drain hose above it and the diameter of the the whole channel is 3/16”. One tree leave is capable of blocking the drain instantly. Tree leaves accumulate on soft top seam and slide into the wheel well when the soft top moves. Add to that water, dust and time and it becomes a big mushy mess. Cleaning the drains from underneath is not adequate either. Last time i replaced my soft top pump there was water and mush in the wheel well despite the fact that I had cleaned and vacuumed the drains and even passed a 12” long cable wire up the drains few days prior. I did that in an attempt to find out why my soft top stopped working and wether there is water involved. And even though my test was 100% negative, sure enough there was water and slime in the wheel well when I removed the soft top and had access from above. I have attached few images that show the long, curved and narrow drain channels.
B2567CEA-F80A-4268-A5AB-372B5657C4D0.jpeg
Last edited by tekoo; 09-26-2018 at 10:38 AM.
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