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#1
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W124 sunroof motors in winter
In winter, my sunroof does not operate for a while after I start the engine.
When the inside of the car gets warm, then the sunroof operates normally. Once it operates, I let the sunroof open a while to let the moisture evaporate. However, I get the same problem next time: sunroof does not operate first, when the car gets warm, it works. Is this usual? Or does this indicate that there is water leakage through the old and rust repaird (with POR-15 by myself) sunroof seal? If so shall I remove the rubber seal (picture below), smooth the rust area, then put a new rubber seal? (in W124, the rubber seal is attached to the roof, not the moving panel) Last edited by ktlimq; 01-31-2004 at 12:38 AM. |
#2
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I'm not sure this is really a problem. I avoid using my sunroof when it's cold out, since the few times I've tried it moves VERY slowly, if at all, when the ambient temp is cold. W124 sunrooves are NOT fun or easy to fix if you break off the plastic parts which operate the tilt feature.
If you haven't already done so, clean the metal channels on the sides and use the 'official' MB sunroof grease; then leave the sunroof alone until spring.
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Steve '93 400E |
#3
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The motor it self should work even in cold weather just as power window motor, I guess.
The fact that it does not operate in cold might be an indication that there is water leakage: water goes in and then freezes. It water leaks, it will make problems in the future: more rust inside, permanent damage of sunroof motor, . . . $$$ Last summer, I found a paint blister area right behind the black rubber (on the roof, not the moving panel). The correct thing is to remove the rubber and treat the rust, but I did not remove the rubber. I just applied POR-15. I pulled the rubber a little so that PO5-15 can reach deeper. |
#4
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For what it's worth, I have some small paint blisters at the 2 forward corners of the sunroof. Mine are similarly on the body of the car, not the sunroof panel itself. Makes you wonder why that particular area is vulnerable.
Getting back to the issue of why our sunrooves don't want to move when it's cold out, I think it's just the nature of the beast. The sunroof motor is in the trunk and connects to the sunroof by 1 or 2 cables (kind of like speedometer cables). When you think of the friction in such a system, even in ideal conditions, it's not hard to see that cold weather would increase the viscosity of the grease and really slow everything down. Under those conditions, cables have been known to kink permanently. I have read of some unlucky W124 owners who used their sunrooves in winter, only to have something break while the sunroof is OPEN. Personally, to me it's not worth the risk. I can live without opening my sunroof until it warms up.
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Steve '93 400E |
#5
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Quote:
So I'm wondering, how can you re-greese those cables? I'd rather not have this happen again on our latest W124. It too is is a slow mover when it's cold. Can the cables be grease and can I get an approved grease outside of the MB dealer (the closest of which is over 75 min. from my home)? |
#6
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I broke the rails on my '94 wagon sunroof opening it in the winter by forcing it with the switch. The outside gasket does get frozen and trying to move the roof puts a lot of strain on the interior parts. The headliner alone for the moon roof is about $350 pluis the labor makes for a very expensive repair.
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dtf 1994 E320 Wagon (Died @ 308,669 miles) 1995 E300 Diesel (228,000) 1999 E300 Turbodiesel ( died @ 255,000) 2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 AC 4X4 (115,000 miles) rusted frame - sold to chop shop 2011 Audi A4 Avant (165,000 miles) Seized engine - donated to Salvation Army BMW 330 xi 6 speed manual (175,034 miles) 2014 E350 4Matic Wagon 128,000 miles 2018 Dodge Ram 21,000 miles |
#7
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Many climate control systems engage the airconditoning when put in the defrost mode to dehumidify the interior. It yours does not do this, then I suggest ythat you lower a rear window a little, since your sunroof does not like low temperatures.
regards, mark |
#8
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The sunroof seal ( not on the moving panel ) is not meant to be a watertight seal. A certain amount of water will get past this seal, but the roof assembly has drains built into it. Behind the "A" and "C" pillar trim you'll find rubber hoses that get the water from the sunroof frame to the ground. The exit points are beneath the car, just behind the front wheels, and just forward of the rear wheels. As far as using the sunroof in cold weather? In my opinion the sunroof motor is stronger than the brackets and sliding jaws that guide the roof panel during operation. If something is binding it will eventually break. It's sort of like trying to use the wipers to clear a foot of snow off the windshield.
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#9
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Quote:
If I were the W124 designer, and wanted the sunroof seal to be watertight, I would have used rubber softer than that on the roof of W124. Newer cars with glass sunroof has rubber on the moving panel. Is it not water tight either? Anyway, no matter whether the sunroof seal is watertight or not, there should be water drain. For example, it may start to rain while the sunroof is open. The driver detects raing nad closes the sunroof, but water is already in. |
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