Top off new fluid in Bam it works!

ledd4u · 12-31-2011, 04:03 PM

Guys/Gals just removed my top because it stopped working. Went ahead and ordered the motor since all I read is the motor is what fails. After I removed the top and opened the motor compartment, it was dry and brand new. It seemed like it was low on hydraulic fluid so I added some. I operated the motor from outside and it worked fine. I installed it back in and its working perfectly. Now I have a spare motor that I will probably never use

. I wanted to remove the top and check before but figured 99% of the people having top problems, the motor was the culprit. The hydraulic oil was like $34.00, the top removal was not bad. Saved about a grand I guess?

ZStig · 12-31-2011, 06:49 PM

nice

Finnegan · 12-31-2011, 07:11 PM

Well that's a nice surprise and good info!

You could always sell the motor if the issue is resolved. Seems a few folks are having issues at the moment, and if this doesn't work for them they probably need a motor.

Uncle Russ · 01-01-2012, 07:08 AM

What problems were you having that made you think you needed to replace the motor? Were there any signs of fluid leakage?

My top gets cranky at times and won't go up without some help. It goes down just fine. Since it's an intermittent problem, the dealer' mechanic could not duplicate the problem. Wonder if it could be low on fluid.

dreamingat30fps · 01-01-2012, 10:05 AM

I have this same issue. However since you have to remove the top just to check the fluid it doesn't seem worth it. If you can DIY it like the OP then cool, but I'm not that handy so I would have to pay labor on removing the top which is way more than the cost of the motor. Seems like a horrible design to me.

12-31-2011, 04:03 PM	#1
ledd4u New Member 0 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2003 Z4 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Miramar iTrader: (0)	Top off new fluid in Bam it works! Guys/Gals just removed my top because it stopped working. Went ahead and ordered the motor since all I read is the motor is what fails. After I removed the top and opened the motor compartment, it was dry and brand new. It seemed like it was low on hydraulic fluid so I added some. I operated the motor from outside and it worked fine. I installed it back in and its working perfectly. Now I have a spare motor that I will probably never use. I wanted to remove the top and check before but figured 99% of the people having top problems, the motor was the culprit. The hydraulic oil was like $34.00, the top removal was not bad. Saved about a grand I guess?
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12-31-2011, 06:49 PM	#2
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	nice __________________
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12-31-2011, 07:11 PM	#3
Finnegan Dog Listener 704 Rep 7,850 Posts Drives: Z4M/. Z3M, E36/46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Teaching the dog to slalom iTrader: (22)	Well that's a nice surprise and good info! You could always sell the motor if the issue is resolved. Seems a few folks are having issues at the moment, and if this doesn't work for them they probably need a motor.
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01-01-2012, 07:08 AM	#4
Uncle Russ Rocket Scientist 3 Rep 72 Posts Drives: '08 M Roadster Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: NoVA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW Z4M Roadster [0.00]	What problems were you having that made you think you needed to replace the motor? Were there any signs of fluid leakage? My top gets cranky at times and won't go up without some help. It goes down just fine. Since it's an intermittent problem, the dealer' mechanic could not duplicate the problem. Wonder if it could be low on fluid. __________________ 2008 ///M Roadster
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01-01-2012, 10:05 AM	#5
dreamingat30fps Lieutenant Colonel 5330 Rep 1,912 Posts Drives: Miata, Cayenne, Model 3, F350 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: South Florida & NC iTrader: (1)	I have this same issue. However since you have to remove the top just to check the fluid it doesn't seem worth it. If you can DIY it like the OP then cool, but I'm not that handy so I would have to pay labor on removing the top which is way more than the cost of the motor. Seems like a horrible design to me.
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