Sunroof seal replacement

[Deedeni]

Hi I need to replace my 1995 e38 750i sunroof seal as it is about 20 years old & leaking. Been to bmw & there is 2 different types of seals a gliding lacquer & a surface flock finished.. unsure which one I will need for it.. it’s not a glass sunroof.. it’s a metal tilt & slide back one.. it’s the external seal that goes around the sunroof gap on roof of car.. would really appreciate if anyone on here knows which one I will need thanx

[CPHES]

Not sure either - look at realoem.com, put in the last 7 digits of your VIN, and I would go with the latest part # they come up with

[CPHES]

This is the part I would use - 54107245551 - The length is 2883mm, the older part has a length of 2730. It looks like, they only sell the longer one now. you will have to trim. you could measure to confirm.

[Frankie]

See also: Sunroof Water Leaks

[Deedeni]

See also: Sunroof Water Leaks

What part number is the seal in link is it 54107245551 or 54128169710.? Thank you

[CPHES]

54107245551 is the latest part # ( From what realoem says ). you are in the UK? If you are going to the dealer, get them to get you the latest part # they have - This one should be it. It is longer than you need - I would cut only when you get to the end of the install. Measure twice, cut once.....

[Deedeni]

Thank you really appreciate the advice

[chrisn7]

When you do this job, don't whatever you do, just rip the old one off, as this will leave loads of glue behind which is really difficult to remove. Mark the centre of the old one, and note how its sits over around the edge. Use a heat gun to soften the glue and pull the old seal off slowly with a steady even pressure. Let the new one acclimatise and don't stretch it during fitting. The adhesive grips well but can be repositioned initially as full bonding takes 24 hours

[jclausen]

Just so you know water is allowed to go by this seal in to the sunroof pan that then exits one of the four corners, it does not seal out water and e38 front drains out left and right of the sides of the windshield, so if the windshield had been replaced the installer can plug up the holes with the glue that holds the windshield in

[CPHES]

The link Frankie provides is a good set of instructions. Read that a few times before starting any work.

[chrisn7]

The link Frankie provides is a good set of instructions. Read that a few times before starting any work.

Very similar, but the key thing is to use a heat gun which the link does not mention. Believe me, it would take a very long time to clean the glue off.

[Frankie]

...the key thing is to use a heat gun which the link does not mention...

Based on your experience, I edited the procedure section to include mention of a heat gun (in addition to a plastic spackle knife, which is what I used).

[Deedeni]

Thanku for the advice on the sunroof seal. You don’t happen to know what coolant I should be using in my 1995 e38 750i .. I was told by a garage to use xstream G48. As that is what they said they have been using.. I just wanted to check on here that this one is the correct one .. any advice would be appreciated.. & coolant that I can get in U.K.

[CPHES]

BMW Blue is the ideal. Short of that, any coolant that is Green or Blue is the same idea as BMW. Mercedes spec coolant would be my next choice. These guys have similar requriements for additives that are not harmful to aluminum/plastics used.

Any DEXCOOL intended coolant is bad - Orange in Color ( at least here in the US ). General Motors was involved in Dexcool, and the biggest issue for Orange Coolant, is it makes a mud like substance when mixed with the Green/Blue stuff.

Pink is the Japanese spec mix ( Toyota, Nissan, etc ). I would also avoid that stuff.

Hope this helps.

[chrisn7]

You already gave the correct G48 coolant. , which is blue. However, unless you buy from the dealer, don’t go by colour alone as there is no universal standard. Always go by the spec.