sunroof leak stopped by soldering

[shogun]

the sunroof cassette, done by my backyard hack mechanic buddy TAKE on his 750
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/363414

Apparently not all water drained the intended way thru the drain holes, but it came out of the cassette frame and dropped onto the headliner.

[Zeuk in Oz]

Neat job.

Thanks Shogun ! :)

[shogun]

Well, the soldering is not that neat and smooth, as we are not soldering experts.
But the main purpose was to seal the leaks, and that was successful.
Took the same soldering iron we usually use for soldering LKM etc ;)

I found on Harborfreight a
COLD HEAT CORDLESS SOLDERING IRON
Advanced technology lets the soldering tip heat and cool instantly for safer,more efficient metal bonding. Ideal for light-duty or occasional automotive and electronic soldering, jewelry, crafts.
No cord! Super-efficient design uses four AA alkaline batteries (not included)
Reaches 800° F in 0-1 second, cools to room temperature in 2 seconds or less
Built-in LED work light
Ergonomic design fits right or left hand
Replaceable tip
ITEM 91298-6VGA
regular price $19.99 discount price $12.99

Wonder if I should buy this one, especially for soldering electronics.
Anyone uses somehting like that?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/91200-91299/91298.gif

[BigKriss]

Maybe a new gasket would prevent the leaking in the first place? I have to get one of those.

[shogun]

Usually yes, Kriss
we did that also, but did not help in our case.
As usual, start with the simplest and lowest cost version of repair.
If that does not help. go to step 2.
Bruno's website has the gasket replacement info.

[BigKriss]

Okay thanks Erich.


Usually yes, Kriss
we did that also, but did not help in our case.
As usual, start with the simplest and lowest cost version of repair.
If that does not help. go to step 2.
Bruno's website has the gasket replacement info.

[Ross]

Did he build up the edge with the solder to contact the gasket? I can't tell from the photos what happened here. Am I missing something?

[winfred]

i haven't used one but i have a buddy that has and the verdict is it's ****, absolute crap, how it works is a pair of electrodes on the end short out on what you are soldering and that's where the heat comes from, brian said he tried for 10 minutes and made one bad solder joint, and i know he knows how to solder, ymmv


Well, the soldering is not that neat and smooth, as we are not soldering experts.
But the main purpose was to seal the leaks, and that was successful.
Took the same soldering iron we usually use for soldering LKM etc ;)

I found on Harborfreight a
COLD HEAT CORDLESS SOLDERING IRON
Advanced technology lets the soldering tip heat and cool instantly for safer,more efficient metal bonding. Ideal for light-duty or occasional automotive and electronic soldering, jewelry, crafts.
No cord! Super-efficient design uses four AA alkaline batteries (not included)
Reaches 800° F in 0-1 second, cools to room temperature in 2 seconds or less
Built-in LED work light
Ergonomic design fits right or left hand
Replaceable tip
ITEM 91298-6VGA
regular price $19.99 discount price $12.99

Wonder if I should buy this one, especially for soldering electronics.
Anyone uses somehting like that?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/91200-91299/91298.gif

[shogun]

Did he build up the edge with the solder to contact the gasket? I can't tell from the photos what happened here. Am I missing something?

this shows it better
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/363460

[Ross]

Thanks, so the top skin had seperated then. Simpler to replace the panel, no? Still a resourceful remedy.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

if there was flux or acid used in the solder, then it will beging to farm rust in there.

I would gone for the ol' JB weld.

[BimmerMeUp]

Wonder if I should buy this one, especially for soldering electronics.
Anyone uses somehting like that?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/91200-91299/91298.gif

Do not waste your money or your time. Those things are useless for most repairs. About the only thing they are somewhat good for is soldering wires you have wrapped together (Like speaker wires and such), but only if you can hold them tight against the tip. I bought one when they were first released and took it right back after trying on a few things...

[icesoft]

Perhaps a bead of RTV or silicone along that edge, allow for it to dry, then reapply the gasket. Or don't allow it to dry and end up with the gasket glued to the sunroof (no leaks for sure that way, but could be a real pain at the next gasket replacement).

[winfred]

you gotta watch gorilla snot on sheet metal, i've seen quite a few tail lights that has been snotted in (guess they were leaking) and the snot reacted with the metal and rotted it, had a euro e30 that i just pushed the lights out of the back of the car, there wasn't metal with in a half inch of the light


Perhaps a bead of RTV or silicone along that edge, allow for it to dry, then reapply the gasket. Or don't allow it to dry and end up with the gasket glued to the sunroof (no leaks for sure that way, but could be a real pain at the next gasket replacement).

[632 Regal]

JB Weld? Jeff Bidoli weld? thats what I developed and marketed before I aquired an acetylene torch kit.

if there was flux or acid used in the solder, then it will beging to farm rust in there.

I would gone for the ol' JB weld.

[winfred]

duct tape and wire just got a whole new dimension


JB Weld? Jeff Bidoli weld? thats what I developed and marketed before I aquired an acetylene torch kit.