frozen doors !!!

[Roy2593]

Hi,

Regarding the frozen locks, which damages the carrier, isnt it possible to drill a hole on the side of the door near the lock mechanism, so that something can be sprayed inside to stop the frost getting to it? Waxoil or wd40 or a silicone spray? Then place a rubber grommet in the hole.

There is a rubber grommet on the side of the door near the lock, i dont know whats behind this, but couldnt something be sprayed in through this maybe?

Roy.

[Sanj]

[quote=""Roy2593""]There is a rubber grommet on the side of the door near the lock, i dont know whats behind this, but couldnt something be sprayed in through this maybe?

Roy.[/quote]

That is the 'cover' for the allen key bolt that holds the lock mechanism - you can't spray through there.

Couple of minutes of warm water will usually resolve the carrier freeze issue. AND if you have the Webasto heater, use it - gets things warmed up a bit to take the edge off that handle...

[CondorX5]

-14 here this AM and the same problem......I've sprayed WD40 on the locks but it doesn't seem to help. Even 30 min of the aux heater running doesn't unfreeze them. I pour warm water over the door seals carefully and that seems to do the trick. Also had a tiny tin of lock deicer which helped once I got the door open and it didn't want to close again. I hate this weather I had a longish commute to Lincoln today and it was -12 there all day .....and the locks got icy again. Even my windscreen washer fluid has frozen although its BMW OEM stuff and I only diluted it 1:1 so it should have withstood much lower temps.

[ChewingBacca]

I am considering PTFE (teflon) spray. Dry, no oils, water repellent, same coating as non stick pans. Need to read up more.

[Rusty]

This problem seems a bit too common for my liking
I tend to cover the windscreen and front windows with plastic over night in this weather, and I think this may help with the doors as the plastic provides a weak point between the door and the seal.

Anyway, I keep my X in the garage - not had any problems with that one yet

[AW8]

[quote=""Roy2593""]Regarding the frozen locks, which damages the carrier, isnt it possible to drill a hole on the side of the door near the lock mechanism, so that something can be sprayed inside to stop the frost getting to it? Waxoil or wd40 or a silicone spray? Then place a rubber grommet in the hole.

There is a rubber grommet on the side of the door near the lock, i dont know whats behind this, but couldnt something be sprayed in through this maybe?[/quote]

Roy2593 - I was thinking of this very idea yestersay evening & without having seen your post.

[quote=""Sanj""]That is the 'cover' for the allen key bolt that holds the lock mechanism - you can't spray through there.[/quote]

Sanj - Please qualify the above statement & clarify why you can't or shouldnt spray through there.


I have researched this on xoutpost & as many know the problems with the mechanism breaking in sub zero temps seems to result from frozen moisture causing the mechanism to sieze by it freezing solid. If a certain degree of force is applied to try to overcome the frozen mechanism the result is typically a breakage of the weaker plastic part(s).

Mine goes in to indy today to get a new mechanism after my daughter broke my drivers side mechanism on back of me asking her to unlock and de-ice car for me yesterday. I shall be insisting the indy covers the mechanism and bowden cable in lock lubricant, silicone spray or other moisture repelant. I see folk in USA have had success from applying neat antifreeze to the lock mechanism behind the door skin,(NOT TO OR NEAR BODYWORK AS THIS WOULD DAMAGE PAINT).

I should also comment that the black cover is a 2 part item and removing same should not involve removing the outer lip but rather the centre cap.

Anyway I had been considering drilling the cap and fitting a small grommet as Roy suggested & so as to aloow application of anti moisture lubricant etc.

There is also some logic in treating door seals with something suitable.

Perhaps others may wish to share thoughts. I will discuss same briefly with indy today though he will be pushed for time as mine is the 3rd E53 X5 this week with same failure & booked for repair.


............Have to go - icy trip to indy for 11am.

[Sanj]

[quote=""AW8""]Sanj - Please qualify the above statement & clarify why you can't or shouldnt spray through there.[/quote]

Not that you shouldn't spray there but you can't because access is VERY limited, here's the pics to explain it a bit and the last one is to show what blocks the access through the hole:





The arrow pointing to the bolt is on the back of the plastic shroud next to the lock in the pic below - the rest of the barrel gets in the way.

[Roy2593]

Yeh, i see what you mean Sanj!

But why not drill a small hole in that region so that we could get near to the mechanism, which misses the door handle?? And then put a grommet there,then you could acess it every year!

Just a thought,

Roy.

[Sanj]

You can do but the idea is you have managed to open the frozen door in the first place to spray there.

I have no idea if products are on the market that won't freeze at low temps. The only other thought is if the thing you're spraying is a cannister based product, if it came with one of those straw nozzles, you might get that past the barrel???

[pvr]

I think the spray referred to was a preventative spray, i.e. water repellent and only applied in intervals rather then when the car locked and frozen.

[Roy2593]

PVR,

Yes thats what i had in mind, I suppose you could spray it every 2-3 weeks in very cold weather!

I am going to the main dealer tomorrow to pick up the new mesh grille, i will ask them and see what they say!

Cheers,

Roy.

[rbell11]

Returned for me in past 2 days - only when its mega cold and has just rained so moisture in the air. Car was fine last week despite -7 as it had not rained.

Car opened with minimal effort but kettle was only way I could get door closed, as lock would not return so door just bounced open, so not sure what is the problem on mine- is it the carrier??? Can't believe this is happening on cars which cost £40k plus new, and surely its a saftety problem which BMW should address.

[AW8]

Indy fitted new mechanism today. I discussedf the grommet in the cap idea & he commented he felt it might be inadequate as a preventive measure as it would only really lube the barrel & he felt the entire mechanism was vulnerable from freezing, though quiet how he would know this to be the case is beyond me as doors stripped down are pre thawed in his workshop. I see his point to some extent though.

[fradillian]

My car has left my drive once in seven days. The front doors wouldn't shut so I resorted to getting in, holding the door shut and pressing the lock button. It managed to thaw by the time I'd got to my destination but the following morning the doors won't open and I didn't want to risk forcing them. So I've been driving around in a 02 Toyota Corolla which is parked next to the X5 and have had no problems whatsoever.

I agree with rbell11. Friends have commented that a car that cost £45k brand new, has such a weak point in cold temperatures. I know that this weather is extreme and unusual, but other cars do not seem to have this problem.

I love my X to bits but I do feel a bit let down by it.

Roll on Spring (or at least plus temperatures).

[AW8]

Indy says pouring warm water over handle works fine............I would avoid using boiling water for obvious reasons.

Sanj thanks for pics & apologies for my query being a little blunt - was genuinely pushed for time.