Condensation

[rmoconnor41]

Morning
I am sure that this has been covered and if so someone will point me in the right direction.
Since it has rained my recently acquired roadster has condensation.

I haven’t found any evidence of water inside.
All help and suggestions gratefully received

 

[Stevo7682]

Where are you getting the condensation

 

[rmoconnor41]

Mainly rear window with a little on the others.

 

[hard top]

You could try using something like this :-

Best car dehumidifiers | Carbuyer

If your car steams up easily, get rid of the condensation with a car dehumidifier

www.carbuyer.co.uk

 

[Ianmc]

If you have aircon that will sort it.

 

[rmoconnor41]

Air conditioning currently doesn’t work

 

[Ianmc]

Air conditioning currently doesn’t work

I'd get that fixed first. Use my car all year around and use aircon most days, especially in winter and on wet days; no condensation issues at all.

 

[rmoconnor41]

Thanks. Looking for a specialist to find the leak(s)

 

[Stevo7682]

Mainly rear window with a little on the others.

Could be nothing just change in humidity .
If not then you may have some water ingress of sorts.
First place to check for this is under the carpets.
Easiest way to quickly look is

if you look at the picture you the line (left of seat adjustment switch) this is where the front and rear carpets join lift the seat up a little follow the carpet split line till you get under the seat you should be able to put your fingers between the 2 sections and feel if the foam padding under the carpets is dry.

Best picture I could get .

Zeds can hold litres ( and then some ) under the carpets.

When I bought Lynne's zed

The rear roof stitching was destroyed and had been sitting in Glasgow outside for months in our quality weather.
When I got it home started to get it watertight and dry ( roof still has some issues so lives with a cover on) took out the seats , rear speakers pods centre console etc .
Carpets were dry to the touch front and rear bar a damp bit on nearside front footwell.
Let's start with after took carpets out still left about 3 litres of water in the floorpans .
Carpets took a month to completely dry out it was October so had to dry in house. Squeezed as much water out as I could hung in bath ( when not in use ) on 2 clothes horses water ran to the bottom squeezed out every day once stopped got in front of radiators for a bit.
You just wouldn't believe how much water the foam padding under the carpets can hold .
Anyway long and short of all that is if its dry under the carpets all is well a dehumidifier will sort it ( or air con fix as said ) but if its wet under there investigation will be required.

Stephen.

 

[rmoconnor41]

Stephen thank you for all the info
My Z3 has spent many years in a garage living a privileged life. It has done 1800 miles in 6 years

 

[Stevo7682]

Stephen thank you for all the info
My Z3 has spent many years in a garage living a privileged life. It has done 1800 miles in 6 years

That's it just telling you you need to get out for some more top down motoring .

Like today watching the football just now but today longest day sunset here today is 22.04.
So top down out for a sunset blast down the coast road .

Stephen

 

[rmoconnor41]

If only. Weather here garbage. Whereas friends in Ayrshire have great weather.

 

[Stevo7682]

If only. Weather here garbage. Whereas friends in Ayrshire have great weather.

South Ayrshire I'm in

 

[t-tony]

A less expensive stop gap which works really very well is this, get a couple of packets of long grain rice and pour into a lady's stocking or cut off leg of a pair of tights and tie it off. Leave this in the car and will soak up incredible amounts of water. Dry the rice off and use again.

Tony.

 

[137699]

A less expensive stop gap which works really very well is this, get a couple of packets of long grain rice and pour into a lady's stocking or cut off leg of a pair of tights and tie it off. Leave this in the car and will soak up incredible amounts of water. Dry the rice off and use again.

Or cat litter works nicely too - that's what I use when my cars are parked up.

 

[rmoconnor41]

What I found today was water sitting in the cut out in the seat frame above the seat control.
partly raisedthe hood and water was dripping out of the rubber seal above window where it folds to allow hood to fold.

 

[Nodzed]

I stick 2 of these in the cars when then get parked up in the autumn (cars are garaged) they are cheap and surprisingly efficient.

12 x Interior Dehumidifier : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy 12 x Interior Dehumidifier at Amazon UK.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[rmoconnor41]

Thanks. It will go in a garage this autumn

 

[mrscalex]

Good post explaining from @Stevo7682

Damp/water ingress/condensation is basically the elephant in the room of Z3 ownership.

In summary live with it maybe using dehumidifiers mentioned. Or where required fix it at source by systematically working through the usual leak spots. A-pillars, rear bulk-head, door/roof seals etc. Very unusual to find a dry Z3 under the carpets unless the car has previously been worked. And yes, the backing can literally hold litres of water like a sponge. Has to be removed and dried properly. Preferably with assistance of a decent size domestic dehumidifer in the room (c£150).

 

[rmoconnor41]

Hi
thanks. I noticed a little condensation in the boot brake light this morning.
Currently on the south coast the weather is sunny so hood down.
Need to replace the 7 year old tyres on the rear. Is mid range Falken ok? Not doing many miles. Once again. Thanks.