View Poll Results: Opinion of the Panorama Roof
The Panorama Roof is a Necessity
107
75.35%
Take it or Leave it, I don't care
12
8.45%
Forget it, Spend your money on a Pulley
23
16.20%
Voters: 142. You may not vote on this poll
CL203 Coupe Pano-roof Maintenance - MB lube Grease Part #s, gears, & fixes
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,265
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
On the Coupe it says every year on the service sheet or every A service.
For other cars without Pano, it just says every 5 years.
But if the glass sticks to the rubber and blows something up, well.....
For other cars without Pano, it just says every 5 years.
But if the glass sticks to the rubber and blows something up, well.....
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 87
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville, FL
Black 02' C230
02 C230 sunroof repair
I know has been said about broken Panaromic roofs and how they can be closed for good. So we all know how its starts...first the sunroof seems unresponsive then oly moves a few inches at a time and then finally getting stuck partially open. I have succeded in having it closed and forget about trying to open it..it wouldn't budge now. This problem just seems tooo simple for so many ppl to be defeated by it. I took it to a repair shop and they said the only option is to buy the entire roof from MB and took for about 3g and took my $160 for the info. I have also heard ppl have taken it to MB and paid the 3g to have it repaired. What I want to find out...Is there no other option? So to that end I would like to dedicate this thread to finding a cost effective solution. (Pls excuse sp and grammar I am fuming as I type)
-Love the car & hate the busted roof
-Love the car & hate the busted roof
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,265
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
There is a wealth of info on the W203 Service DVD as it relates to sunroofs. The motor can be replaced etc, along with cables and whatnot.
I read here of a guy who replaced the sunshade cable for $80 himself.
The DVD is $60 at 1800formercedes. + shipping, 10 for ON.
Then you can at least get the glass of to see whats what.
Regular maintenance might be a factor, which is why I recently ordered the special grease, and also some "rubber" cleaner/lube.
I've got a free sample kit coming from http://www.303products.com/
The "areospace protectant" is for the rubber seals, and prevents
them from sticking. Which is probably whats up with yours now aside from other issues. It's good for all the seals, conditions, prevents them from sticking AND freezing.
Which in turn prevents stressing the motor! The devil is in the details.
Cleaning the guides, and lubricating is important, and something I'd been looking into lately, you should be able to find the topic on the 1st or 2nd page re: sunroof maint.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=197848
If you get the DVD, and manage to get it apart, determine the problem and repair it yourself, that would be awesome.
Someone else mentioned getting a rock in the guides, which screwed up the synchonization and prevented it from working.
PM me your email, I have a troubleshooting guide for the pano sunroof, but it's too large to post here.
I read here of a guy who replaced the sunshade cable for $80 himself.
The DVD is $60 at 1800formercedes. + shipping, 10 for ON.
Then you can at least get the glass of to see whats what.
Regular maintenance might be a factor, which is why I recently ordered the special grease, and also some "rubber" cleaner/lube.
I've got a free sample kit coming from http://www.303products.com/
The "areospace protectant" is for the rubber seals, and prevents
them from sticking. Which is probably whats up with yours now aside from other issues. It's good for all the seals, conditions, prevents them from sticking AND freezing.
Which in turn prevents stressing the motor! The devil is in the details.
Cleaning the guides, and lubricating is important, and something I'd been looking into lately, you should be able to find the topic on the 1st or 2nd page re: sunroof maint.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=197848
If you get the DVD, and manage to get it apart, determine the problem and repair it yourself, that would be awesome.
Someone else mentioned getting a rock in the guides, which screwed up the synchonization and prevented it from working.
PM me your email, I have a troubleshooting guide for the pano sunroof, but it's too large to post here.
I know has been said about broken Panaromic roofs and how they can be closed for good. So we all know how its starts...first the sunroof seems unresponsive then oly moves a few inches at a time and then finally getting stuck partially open. I have succeded in having it closed and forget about trying to open it..it wouldn't budge now. This problem just seems tooo simple for so many ppl to be defeated by it. I took it to a repair shop and they said the only option is to buy the entire roof from MB and took for about 3g and took my $160 for the info. I have also heard ppl have taken it to MB and paid the 3g to have it repaired. What I want to find out...Is there no other option? So to that end I would like to dedicate this thread to finding a cost effective solution. (Pls excuse sp and grammar I am fuming as I type)
-Love the car & hate the busted roof
-Love the car & hate the busted roof
Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
2002 C230 Sports Coupe
if anyone has any experience with these sort of things, electric motors and what not, then im willing to have my car be the guinnue pig in the search for a DIY in the summer. i would do it myself but i have no idea how any of this stuff works, work a lot on cars but never anything like this. im not afraid to dive in and look for a solution as long as i have someone experienced with me.
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 87
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville, FL
Black 02' C230
If you could post a link to that thread about the guy replacing the shade cables for $80 that would be great. Also do you have any idea where these parts can be bought from.
There is a wealth of info on the W203 Service DVD as it relates to sunroofs. The motor can be replaced etc, along with cables and whatnot.
I read here of a guy who replaced the sunshade cable for $80 himself.
The DVD is $60 at 1800formercedes. + shipping, 10 for ON.
Then you can at least get the glass of to see whats what.
Regular maintenance might be a factor, which is why I recently ordered the special grease, and also some "rubber" cleaner/lube.
I've got a free sample kit coming from http://www.303products.com/
The "areospace protectant" is for the rubber seals, and prevents
them from sticking. Which is probably whats up with yours now aside from other issues. It's good for all the seals, conditions, prevents them from sticking AND freezing.
Which in turn prevents stressing the motor! The devil is in the details.
Cleaning the guides, and lubricating is important, and something I'd been looking into lately, you should be able to find the topic on the 1st or 2nd page re: sunroof maint.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=197848
If you get the DVD, and manage to get it apart, determine the problem and repair it yourself, that would be awesome.
Someone else mentioned getting a rock in the guides, which screwed up the synchonization and prevented it from working.
PM me your email, I have a troubleshooting guide for the pano sunroof, but it's too large to post here.
I read here of a guy who replaced the sunshade cable for $80 himself.
The DVD is $60 at 1800formercedes. + shipping, 10 for ON.
Then you can at least get the glass of to see whats what.
Regular maintenance might be a factor, which is why I recently ordered the special grease, and also some "rubber" cleaner/lube.
I've got a free sample kit coming from http://www.303products.com/
The "areospace protectant" is for the rubber seals, and prevents
them from sticking. Which is probably whats up with yours now aside from other issues. It's good for all the seals, conditions, prevents them from sticking AND freezing.
Which in turn prevents stressing the motor! The devil is in the details.
Cleaning the guides, and lubricating is important, and something I'd been looking into lately, you should be able to find the topic on the 1st or 2nd page re: sunroof maint.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=197848
If you get the DVD, and manage to get it apart, determine the problem and repair it yourself, that would be awesome.
Someone else mentioned getting a rock in the guides, which screwed up the synchonization and prevented it from working.
PM me your email, I have a troubleshooting guide for the pano sunroof, but it's too large to post here.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
2002 C230K
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,265
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Duval, and apparently close to you.
Call and ask for Steve foster, and if you can't get him, tell the parts dept, that you are an internet customer (they took their site down, but will still sell parts cheap!) and you'll get parts for like 20% over wholesale.
Mercedes has a thing called EPC, it's free,
https://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/coverage.jsp
You can look up pn's.
Lastly, I don't know where I saw the thread on the sunroof cable, might have been on another forum. Google it!
1800formercedes to buy the W203 service dvd.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 8
From: Pasadena, CA
2002 C230K, 2013 BMW 328, 2015 BMW X5
First thing, I'm in now way responsible for any advice I give that is bad. So, proceed with caution.
Here is my .02 cents on the matter. The weakest link is a worm gear that is freaking made out of some type of soft metal.
You metal gearing in this pic, It has a bunch of shavings from stripping the worm gear in trying to get the roof closed.
It comes from this motor, which is hidden behind the top center console.
By applying torque up, you may be able to get it to open and close, but this doesn't address the lubrication issues.
So, thats my input, may or may not work. Somewhere on this site is a thread talking about how to close a stuck motor, but I'm too lazy to look for it, and its very close to the Saturday Gin Hour.
E
Here is my .02 cents on the matter. The weakest link is a worm gear that is freaking made out of some type of soft metal.
You metal gearing in this pic, It has a bunch of shavings from stripping the worm gear in trying to get the roof closed.
It comes from this motor, which is hidden behind the top center console.
By applying torque up, you may be able to get it to open and close, but this doesn't address the lubrication issues.
So, thats my input, may or may not work. Somewhere on this site is a thread talking about how to close a stuck motor, but I'm too lazy to look for it, and its very close to the Saturday Gin Hour.
E
Last edited by SeaCoupe; May 10, 2008 at 02:46 PM.
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 87
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville, FL
Black 02' C230
Well after all these suggestions and the weekend to think things over...I do think it has something to do with the lubrication. I do like in Fl where it is extremely hot at times and I think might have tried up the lubrication, which in turn made the motor work tooo hard thus stripping the motor gear. Hence I will attemp to lubircate the rails and see what happens...wish me luck. I will keep everyone up to date on what happends and hopefully I can post a DIY thread on how to repair that jack hammering sound coming from you inoperable 02 C230 sunroof. But alas I have a 9-5 and a gf that both keep me busy during the weekdays and weekends...and also the playoffs are on TNT.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: London, GB
RHD C200 Sport Coupe, RHD SLK-55, LHD SLK-350
Detailing your Pano Roof...
Hey guys - what's the general though on detailing your pano roof? I've been hesitant to use Zaino on it, and was wondering what other are doing - given the potential problems, don't want to make the mechanical situation worse just for looks.....
Super Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 911
Likes: 1
From: Rhode Island
Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
Mine gets Rain-X. I've also used a clay bar on it, when I did the rest of the car.
The Rain-X REALLY helps after washing, when I'm drying the vehicle, to avoid water spots.
The Rain-X REALLY helps after washing, when I'm drying the vehicle, to avoid water spots.
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 87
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville, FL
Black 02' C230
Little Update
Just thought I would keep those who might be having this problem updated on my progress. I have done nothing basically, but I am picking up some lube oil from Rusty in ATL this weekend, who btw has excellent prices for MB parts at his wbesite www.buymbparts.com and he even has a lil IM window you can use...Rusty is ahead of his time. Now as for this elusive service DVD. I have a few options ppl might wanna try out...you can call 1-800-mercedes and shell out the original for $60, you can subscribe to eautorepair.net and 9.99 to 29.99 for a one week to one year subscription, or what I plan to do is buy one from this guy selling on ebay. I will be out of town most of next week but will prolly be testing out that DVD the week after.
m.
m.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
2002 C230K
I was having some trouble with my sunroof -- slow opening, inside curtain getting stuck. After reading this, I decided to clean all the rubber and glass contacts. I also sprayed silicone on all the tracks. I'm pleased to say that everything is working perfectly now -- as smooth as the day I bought it.
Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
2002 C230 Sports Coupe
C-Coupe Pano roof DIY
Don't get too excited theres no DIY yet, but I am going in and taking apart my roof to try and see if theres anything that I can fix in there. Before I start though I wanted to see if any of you have taken the roof apart yet and encountered any problems. I was going to go from the inside out and take apart the headliner and go from there, anyone see a problem here (Other than airbags, I got that one down)?
Any help is appreciated.
Any help is appreciated.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2003 C230 Coupe
C230 Coupe pano-roof Problem
I have a 2003 C230 Coupe. The front sunroof is the problem. The plastic clips that go inside the ends of the rail at the front of the shade or cover broke. Is there an easy fix for this or does it require major work? I absolutely hate going to the dealership and was hoping I could fix this at home. Any help or info is greatly appreciated.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,265
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Start with signing up for an EPC account. It's free, and you can see if the part you're looking for has a pn and look at drawings.
https://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/coverage.jsp
Send me a pm with an email address, and I'll send you a pdf with
some info on the sunroof. It's too large to post here.
You can order parts online from various sources.
I'm not sure if we now have a sponsor on the site that can provide OEM parts.
How does one know who the sponsors are? Anyone?
https://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/coverage.jsp
Send me a pm with an email address, and I'll send you a pdf with
some info on the sunroof. It's too large to post here.
You can order parts online from various sources.
I'm not sure if we now have a sponsor on the site that can provide OEM parts.
How does one know who the sponsors are? Anyone?
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 87
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville, FL
Black 02' C230
OK I am about to start
...alright I got the repair DVD...if I can manage to get it to work I will commence working on taking apart the sunroof...I will try to get a camera or a video to make a step by step video...but just doing a fledgling diagnostic...I think the motor needs to be replaced and I found a place that sells it for ~ $200...so I will see if I can take the headliner down and the old motor out then I will see how things go from there...I will be pissed if I can repair this for under 300.
