318i (Euro Specs) Sunroof.... Help!

[littletree]

So... Just moved to europe and picked up a second car. 1990 318i and am happy! For an 18 y.o car it's great. Now just the finer points to resolve. Brake warning light doesn't go out - but I know it's not the brakes cause they were just done... think the previous owner burned through the sensor and didn't have it replaced when brakes done... Only two big probs are that it "pops" out of 4th more often than not (If I fix it... it'll be a mechanic cause that's beyond my abilities...) BUT I may tackle the sunroof. Manual opening, seal seems old/crusty and dried out (despite Dutch fall ) It opens best when pushing down on it as you crank, and pushing up when closing. Crank skips a bit, indicating to me some teeth are missing. Can't find a euro spec manual for it and the one online doesn't have anything on sunroofs.

Anyone know how to make this smoother? Is this a DIYer job? Is it easy to replace a seal? Anyone know where to get pics/instructions on line to do this thing? OR do I just say to heck with it and take it to a dealer!

Thanks for any and all advice.

[marti5]

New seals at BMW get one,not an OEM (crap) easy to do, as for the teeth missing maybe, maybe not there is adjustment on the cable, also get some silicone grease, and grease up all working parts, which have never been done since she was made, then see how it goes, as for the ' dutch fall' I presume you are in the Nederlands or top of belgie as I lived there until 2 yrs ago.

[littletree]

Marti5 - ack to all of the info, thanks. I like the idea of silicone grease vs the recommendation elsewhere of "WD 40" which actually just dries parts and cabling out. Will look into the seal etc, and yes in NL... just arrived and getting use to things. SE corner close to BE, and DEU.

Again - thanks

[BMPGBH]

don't you have a bentley repair manual, i have one and it tells you start to finish how to remove and install sunroof. I am quite familier with doing it as my old sunroof riped off at 200kmh.

[littletree]

Originally Posted by BMPGBH

don't you have a bentley repair manual, i have one and it tells you start to finish how to remove and install sunroof. I am quite familier with doing it as my old sunroof riped off at 200kmh.

No I don't. Just picked up the car and haven't found a book that isn't either "out of stock" or cost >$100.00.

On a positive note, I figured it out, removed the liner, sunroof complete, and installed the seal. Having difficulty getting it back to the correct height (been farting around with the six screws) but can't seem to get it right... Is there a fool proof instalation that Bently speaks of, or is it always, trial and error? Will continue to look for a Book, but not having any affordable luck.

Thanks for the help.