Water droplets inside soft top.

[Faheem]

My zed has spent the last 3 out of the 5 winters that I've had it parked in my garage.

Past couple of weeks I've had to bring the zed home as needed some space in the garage this means that its been parked on the drive and not being driven (haven't driven it since August!)

Noticed today that water droplets were collecting inside on the underside of the soft top. Mine being a pre facelift it doesn't have the luxury of a padded headliner. Anyway, I've never had this issue before even when the zed was kept outside during winters.

The roof is only 3 years old and I'm also confident that I have no other leaks, carpets are bone dry, roof seals are okay. Could it need resealing or do I just need to buy a cover for the soft top?

Also think i might need the gearbox out soon

 

[t-tony]

When a car sweats like that on the inside it usually points to damp inside the car mate. Is there any water in the boot side wells or the battery tray?

Tony.

 

[GZed]

It’s not due to leaks, it’s condensation caused by the difference in temperature inside and outside the car. During the day, particularly a sunny one like today, the air inside your car warms. Warm air holds more water vapour than colder air. This warm moist air then rises and hits the inside of your soft top, which is cold because it’s very thin and is in contact with the cold outside air. The warm air is cooled on contact, it cannot hold as much water vapour as previously, so it condenses. A cover for the soft top might provide a bit more insulation, so may help. Alternatively ventilation is the answer - are you able to crack the windows open half an inch or so, even for a few hours? Would let warm moist air escape instead of condensing.

 

[GZed]

Agree with tony that any damp inside the car would make the condensation (sweating) worse as there’s more moisture available to be absorbed by the air inside the car as it is warmed.

 

[Faheem]

I thought the same Tony but do doubt it as I took care of all damp / water ingress issues in the first couple of years of ownership. During the trip I did last summer the weather was awful for the most part but I didnt have any water get inside. Had all the carpets out a couple of years ago to dry out the puddle of water that had managed to find it's way in over time and it's still bone dry.

I do need to drive it more, hoping that as @GZed says it is just condensation!

 

[t-tony]

Don't forget to check in the boot though Faheem. I hope it's all dry mate.

Tony.

ps. If it just needs using/driving more I hope you can manage that.

 

[Faheem]

Cheers Tony. Boot is dry as far as I know. Need to get it MOT'd and insured as they both ran out at the end of August! Finally gotten rid of all the rusty bits underneath and being the time of year that it is they've probably got salt down on the roads again Will have to wait a couple of months

 

[t-tony]

Keep it dry mate Take care.

Tony.

 

[Nodzed]

Get a absorb dehumidifier box and leave it in the car, cheap as chips and will capture any moisture

EDIT: Not the fix for a leak if you have one, just to help with winter moisture

 

[Sean d]

You may still have a small leak pal the carpets will feel dry as there is so much backing on them, that much humidity has to come from somewhere, I doubt very much it's from the boot as there is a steel bulkhead in the way

 

[Paul H]

I bet the thick foam under the carpets is wet.

 

[mrscalex]

I watched at Jack Smith's as he peeled off the old roof on my car. There was mold between the outer material and headlining.

Like it or not a 20 year old Z3 is very vulnerable to water ingress and takes a keen approach to keep it stopped up.

 

[Ianmc]

Drive mine daily, all year around, mostly with aircon on. No damp issues at all.