Water in car

[Gremlin]

I ask a question here and got some answers, with out looking to see who some one ask me to post some pictures so I have. I thought I'd do it on the Progress Threads as this car since I got her seems to be an on going project.
I have had her around seven months now and done quite a bit of work on her suspension and water pump and such, I have bought all new wings which are in the shed and a body kit so as this project continues I hope to keep you up dated if any one is interested.
I decided at this stage water getting in the cabin area is not good so that is where I'm starting which means stripping out all the carpet to dry it out God knows how or how long,that sponge certainly soaked up some water as you can see from the pictures it's not a job for the faint hearted, most important thing is to label all your plugs and wires, there are an awful lot that BMW put in the car for various things that may not be on your car so if you don't label what you need to go back it could be a head ache. I need my car so I will be making a false floor for the moment until I'm certain that I have sorted all the leaks, one of which will have to be a new soft top as the one on the car has seen better days I think and is part of the water Ingres problem, the other places are front A pillars, and bottom of the doors where some one before me has not sealed the water membrane between the door card and door it's self properly, another place is on the window tops may need a new seal between it and roof. I have added some pictures not much to show really but hope to keep adding as we move on.
Before any one mentions the steering wheel cover the wheel was a mess had to do some thing but this is a project and will be done towards the end.

 

[Low Rider]

You've sure been busy and your right it's not a job for the faint hearted.
I hope you manage to achieve your goals.

 

[Antm72]

A lot of work but worth it when you get it all dry and back together.
Always piece of mind when doing anything like this and always worth the time and effort.
Look forward to seeing your progress

 

[Uncle_Clanger]

I was advised that there are two drainage pipes under the wiper panel that can become blocked and water can get in as a result.... It's a job on my list to remove this panel and have a look... But could I get the wipers off? Could I B****cks! Need to get a wiper removal tool of all things.

Could be something to check and tick off.

Anybody had blocked drainage pipes? Any tips on removing the wipers? Heat gun?

 

[Gremlin]

I was really pleased with the floor pan under the carpet as it is like new,I was worried that when I got in there that it would be red rust every where as I have no idea how long it's been wet under there.
When I put it back together I will treat all the corners and joints and any bare metal with waxoil. And will spray it inside chassis box sections.
Any one got a big mangle or any ideas on how to get water out of this foam there is that much in it I had a job to lift it out and carry it.

 

[t-tony]

I was really pleased with the floor pan under the carpet as it is like new,I was worried that when I got in there that it would be red rust every where as I have no idea how long it's been wet under there.
When I put it back together I will treat all the corners and joints and any bare metal with waxoil. And will spray it inside chassis box sections.
Any one got a big mangle or any ideas on how to get water out of this foam there is that much in it I had a job to lift it out and carry it.

From what I've read a VAX type vacuum cleaner can remove water from the "foam" but essentially you have to allow it to drain and dry on it's own. People do run there cars without the carpets and underlay etc. and just use the fotwell mats.

Tony.

 

[Gremlin]

Thanks Tony
I've cut some ply to fit th foot wells and got my hands on by sheer luck today a roll of sound deadening felt they fit in Honda cars of all places a DIY place called Inexsess for £7.50. Which I will put on top of ply till I've sorted leaks and carpets are dry. It's going to be fun driving with half the dash cable tied up and switches hanging that should be in centre consol, but I'm not putting it back only to have to take it out for again to refit carpet when dry.
Roger.

 

[yocky z3 2.0]

Hi Rodger if you can get your hands on a dehumidifier hang it up and the dehumidifier will pull the water out used this method on my mates car worked a treat cheers Tony

 

[mrscalex]

If the quarter light windows have been out and not put back properly they are also a source of leaks. They need to be pre-loaded by pushing inwards as the bottom bolt is done up. Easy job to check. Undo bolt, push glass panel in and do up under tension.

Get yourself a role of butyl tape to reseal the membrane.

Water in the bottom of the door is normal. Just ensure drainage holes are clear.

Also found a small wear hole in the lower section of the door aperture seal was letting in water.

 

[Gremlin]

Never used one, and I only have a shed would it not just pull in all the damp air if I used one in there. If I thought it would work I'd buy one I suppose I could bring front half in and stick it in bath and put dehumidifier in there not sure what my other half would say about it though.
Thanks for the suggestion Tony.

 

[mrscalex]

Think about a decent dehumidifier such as an eco air for about £125.

Over a lifetime it will be more useful than you can imagine.

Just position the carpet near. No need to form a 'shelter'. The carpet yields moisture to the air. The dehumidifier takes it out of the air.

People use these things for drying laundry. They do even have a laundry mode.

One of these sucks the cr*p out of my double garage conversion and even leaves it feeling warm. It will remove several litres of water over 24 hours in a damp environment.

I've used mine to dry the interior of my Alhambra after some d*ck of a valeter drenched it. Job done in 24 hours.

It's dealt with burst pipe and spilt water bucket issues with hours.

http://ecoair.org/Dehumidifier.html

 

[Gremlin]

Hi mr scalex
Just seen your post thanks, I've had the quarter light out on drivers door as I had to do a door repair, I take it you mean push the window in so when door shuts the quarter light comes in tight on seal.
I will be taking both doors apart this week while on holiday and sorting the membrane out I got some of that sticky stuff that some one on here suggested same sticky stuff as originally stuck on with, and I have just been local DIY shop and got some water proof duck tape to go over the edges.
Once again thanks for all suggestions it really all helps.
Roger

 

[mrscalex]

Hi mr scalex
Just seen your post thanks, I've had the quarter light out on drivers door as I had to do a door repair, I take it you mean push the window in so when door shuts the quarter light comes in tight on seal.

You got it

Took me ages working out that was the problem on my car. Doesn't seem to be a very common piece of knowledge! Plus I'd already done had them out on another car with no issues. Common thing to remove them when servicing innards of door, sliders etc.

 

[Gremlin]

You got it

Took me ages working out that was the problem on my car. Doesn't seem to be a very common piece of knowledge! Plus I'd already done had them out on another car with no issues. Common thing to remove them when servicing innards of door, sliders etc.

Just bought a dehumidifier on Argos express delivery a Dimplex will be delivered tonight.

 

[mrscalex]

This is mine. Well the latest version of it.

http://www.ecoair.org/DD122FW-MK5-Classic.html

The receptacle will fill up quickly, maybe 24-48 hours. So keep an eye on it. Or just plug in the plastic tubing and route it into a sink/drain so it goes out directly.

 

[Gremlin]

More advice if poss please, I have replaced the door membrane and used butyl sealer to attach it.
With door open I have poored water down glass to check it this now seems ok and the water comes out of door drains.
The problem I have now is this ref pictures. If you see the joint in the seal which is glued together the water from above that joint runs down when it gets to there it seems to track across to the inside of seal run down into the bottom corner and then down the inside of door seal into the foot well.
Is that joint normal or should it be a complete one length from top all way round to top of rear wing.
Or has any one any ideas as to how to cure this problem HELP I'm out of ideas.

 

[hard top]

Or has any one any ideas as to how to cure this problem HELP I'm out of ideas.

Just throwing something in here, don't know if it will work, glue a piece of bicycle inner tube over it?

 

[Gremlin]

Just throwing something in here, don't know if it will work, glue a piece of bicycle inner tube over it?

I was working along that idea myself, I've just been out pulled it apart and rejoined it dried everything around door shut and all seals pored around half gallon of water all around door seals window seals. I then dried all out side of door before I opened it to stop water dropping in and not a drip any where in there, I've done this 3 times now and still dry. Fingers crossed wait for some more rain now and see.

 

[hard top]

Fingers crossed wait for some more rain now and see.

Have a drive over here then, its been pishing it down all day....
I only thought about the bicycle inner tube as I remember someone posting years ago that they stuck half of one right along the top of the windscreen rubber and it worked a treat......

 

[Ianmc]

More advice if poss please, I have replaced the door membrane and used butyl sealer nod with door open poored water down glass o check it this now seems ok.
The problem I have now is this ref pictures. If you see the joint in the sealwhich is glued together the water from above that joint runs down when it gets to there it seems to track across to the insid of seal run down into the bottom corner and then down the inside of door seal into the foot well.
Is that joint normal or should it be a complete one length from top all way round to top of rear wing.
Or has any one any ideas as to how to cure this problem HELP I'm out of ideas.

On my car the door seal fits under the rubber moulding above it. The end of the seal is therefore not open to water ingress. Caution though as I have a fixed roof so could be different.