Picked up my Z3 yesterday and it rained overnight....

[Bumpa]

And this morning I have rain on the pasenger seat and on the passenger door sill (see photo). The soft top on this car is virtually new and looks fine in all the places where rain might enter. I have been unable to locate the source. What are the most likely places and how do I fix them? My passenger won't be very impressed if she gets wet in the car!

 

[hard top]

Most probably this.....

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254611​

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Probably what @hard top said, but when I first got mine there was water coming in from the top of the windows past the big rubber seals. Seemed to sort itself out after a while, the previous owner had hardly used the car while he had it and the seals had "set" in one position, just needed to be used (windows up and down, doors opened and closed) for a while.

 

[Cooper]

Also check where the two pieces of the rubber meet in the middle of the widow. when the roof is closed. Sometimes they won't seal against each other properly and the water can get through. If you use a rubber conditioning treatment like McGuires whatever it is called it can make the rubber more pliable and stop the water ingress. Have the window down a bit whenever you bring the roof down and then put the window up. Still not sure? Put some baby power around the place and hose down the car, it will reveal the spot.

 

[mrscalex]

First things first. Make sure you put the window up next time

Seriously. That does look like the sort of pattern you'd get with a substantial gap. Most leaks would run down the back somewhere and onto the carpet.

The only other time I've seen that much splatter is when my soft top was pressure washed. The pressure exploited an otherwise decent seal.

I don't think it is this. But when we are talking about leaks the quarter light is often forgotten. This should be preloaded when the frame is tightened to the door. But unless the door has been apart then it won't be that unless a bolt came loose. I had a nasty old amount of water enter when I failed to do that. Retensioned the quarter light by pushing it in as I did the bolt up and all fine, i.e. It was now pushing harder against the rubber.

 

[mrscalex]

And do check your carpet. If that much water is hitting the seat I hesistate to think what the carpet is like.

If the carpet isn't wet you have a curious leak. Especially as the seat doesn't appear to be any the worse for that amount of water hitting it over a protracted period.

Are you sure this isn't just fallout from an otherwise unrelated incident?

 

[mrscalex]

Oh I see. The windscreen pillar leak would land right on that seat area wouldn't it.

Got ya.

 

[Bumpa]

Thanks all. Keep ideas coming. This car has been in a dry garage for at least 6 months. Last night was the first time it has been in the rain for ages. The floors are quite dry, and yes, rain coming from the corner of the windscreen seal would probably land on the seat. I will try to get the present Mrs H to spray it gently with the hose while I sit inside.

 

[Nodzed]

Most probably this.....

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254611​

Yep I'd agree with that, re-sealed my plugs when the car developed a small drip and perfect since
The plug leaks and the water runs along to top door seal and drips onto the seat (or your knee if your driving)

Could be your problem, worth doing anyway.

 

[Bazza]

from me mate, Zeds a labour of love hope you cure the leak

 

[t-tony]

Went to a darts match in my Z3 one night and while there it hissed down, but also was blowing from the side my driver's side was facing. When we left the seat was soaked, never happened any other time though. I put it down to wind blowing it in past the seals.

Tony.

 

[raymond]

On a Wheeler Dealer episode they had a leaky soft top. They hired a smoke machine for a day for £15 and were able to find the leak.

 

[gookah]

the carpets can feel dry and there still be a pool of water underneath them. Best to lift and check there also.

 

[gookah]

On a Wheeler Dealer episode they had a leaky soft top. They hired a smoke machine for a day for £15 and were able to find the leak.

roof up and a packet of fags.
That's probably more expensive though

 

[Nodzed]

On a Wheeler Dealer episode they had a leaky soft top. They hired a smoke machine for a day for £15 and were able to find the leak.

I reckon there would be smoke pouring out everywhere on a Z3

 

[t-tony]

I reckon there would be smoke pouring out everywhere on a Z3

On a lot of cars Niall.

Tony.

 

[Bumpa]

It rained again last night and this morning the car was dry inside. So it can't be too bad. All I had done was lower the top and put it back up again, obviously making a better seal with the top of the pillar. I think I will seal up those plugs with black silicone as some of you have suggested. Thanks again.

 

[t-tony]

Another tip for you, thoroughly clean and dry all the rubber seals. Then give them several coats of silicone spray and you will find they form a seal much more easily. Silicone spray is much cheaper than some of the recommended rubber dressings and does an equally good job. Also good to use on the drop glass sliders too.

Tony.

 

[ZTec]

Another tip for you, thoroughly clean and dry all the rubber seals. Then give them several coats of silicone spray and you will find they form a seal much more easily. Silicone spray is much cheaper than some of the recommended rubber dressings and does an equally good job. Also good to use on the drop glass sliders too.

Tony.

I tend to spray the silicone into the can's cap then use a rubber glove dip a finger into the silicone and rub it on. Spray it on and it'll go everywhere.

 

[Nodzed]

I think I will seal up those plugs with black silicone as some of you have suggested. Thanks again.

All you need to use is rubber cement, as in puncture repair glue, a lot less messy.