Serious water leak on '99 323i

David · David's Garage

After the 323 sat outside in heavy rain this weekend there was about an inch of water in the passenger side floor boad. I can't find any damage around the windshield, door, or sunroof where water could get through. Has anyone had any similar problems.

I also thought maybe the sunroof drains were clogged up but I couldn't find any details on checking them in the Bentley manual.

David · David's Garage

Since I haven't gotten any replies I thought I add an update.

I poured water into the sunroof trough around the opening and the water ran through the drain hole and out the bottom of the car, there didn't appear to be any getting into the passenger compartment. I felt around the windshield and couldn't feel any water.

Still hoping someone out there has seen this problem.

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Here's what I do when I have problems like these (they could be anywhere). Have a friend sit inside the car, and then spray it down with water. Concentrate on a particular section with the hose, until your friend shouts at you.

This helps narrow it down, and also works for roofs on houses too (although you really need a walkie-talkie or cell phone when you're on the roof...)

-Wayne

Jared at Pelican Parts · 10-29-2002, 09:14 AM

It's even possible that rain might have netered via the bventilation ducts and overwhelmed the drain system in the climate control, thus spilling over into the footwell.

I've seen A/C systems do some crazy stuff. One time, I saw an A/C where the reciever drier had gone bad, and started dripping water all over the floorboards. (Imagine a ice-cold beer can in the hot sun... water beads up on the outside...) Except this thing was literally pouring water rathert than beading up.

David · David's Garage

Still haven't been able to find it by just poring water around the door, windshield, and sunroof. I should have some time to try a full water hose soaking this weekend. I'll let everyone know what I find.

As for the A/C, even in the very humid Houston area, I don't think the A/C could generate the inch or so of water found in the passenger footwell.

P.S. Wayne, why to you have the E46 list as 2000 and newer, when they came out in '99?

David · David's Garage

Well, I think I found the water leak. I noticed the passenger door was pulled out about a 1/4" at the top. I think someone tried to jimmy the door open although there aren't any scratches. I rolled down the window, put my knee on the door panel and pulled the window frame in until it lined up with the door from. I then pushed the door molding back into the correct position where they must have pushed in a crowbar. So far so good.

Jared at Pelican Parts · 12-18-2002, 03:28 PM

Hey, you might also want to check the door hinge bolts. It's possible they may be loose dur to the tampering.

20PSI 240SX · 01-13-2003, 05:23 PM

i bet you will find the leak to be at the vapor barrier behind the door panel. have you had that window regulator replaced before? its common for the sticky substance that seals it to fail at the bottom.

2nd thing is the sunroof drains...but you checked that.

David · David's Garage

The leak seams to be fixed after bending the frame back.

They did replace the window switch on the rear door, but the water only seemed to be in the front.

Jared at Pelican Parts · 01-14-2003, 08:26 AM

I argee with 20psi,

Check the water barrier, I'llbet its not even there.

Nanners · 03-14-2003, 09:13 AM

Water leaking into my footwells. I just noticed that the leak is happening with all four footwells to varying extent. I just talked to the guy I bought it from and sure enough he had problems with it when it owned it. He took it to the dealership to get it looked at and was told that it had something to do with the rubber lining around the door and the adhesive that was used. The dealership replaced it, but he said that it persisted.

Now I'm the lucky new owner and have to deal with this problem. Luckily I live a place with Mediterranean climate so it's dry for 8 months out of the year. Of course, when it rains, it pours.

This scale of this problem is beginning to worry me and looks like I will have to consult a BMW shop on what to do. My car is no longer under warranty.

Thoughts?

Salvator · 05-22-2003, 09:47 AM

We have had the same problem on-going for a number of months on our 323iT. Car has been in 6 times, 5 times they tried to repair the vapor barrier, and most recently, the tech discovered that seam sealer was missing in the seams in the front bulkhead. He filled them, but the leak persists...

Jared at Pelican Parts · 05-29-2003, 01:35 PM

Has anyone heard anything about a recall on this? Javier?

David · David's Garage

While I do stick to the Pelican Parts Porshce forum almost religiously I do stray a bit on the Bimmer stuff, sorry Wayne. I checked www.bimmerforums.com and couldn't find any significant hits on this. I posted a thread there, maybe it will turn up something.

Salvator · 05-30-2003, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Has anyone heard anything about a recall on this? Javier?

No recall that I am aware of... my wife's 323iT is in the shop right now (for the 7th or 8th time) for them to address this issue. We have involved BMWNA and they sent someone out to look at it, and they are under the impression that it can be fixed... My wife told them "I'll beleive it when I see it"... The defect areas keep popping up everytime someone else looks at it (First it was the vapor barriers, then it was the seam seals in the front, now they say there is an issue in the rear... In addition, we took it through a car wash and watched as water leaked over the door seal at the bottom of the front passenger door)... As her car is almost out of warranty, we are also requesting that they provide a warranty in writing that states that they will continue to repair this fault if it reoccurs even after the warranty period is over... Additionally, we are requesting that the carpeting be replaced in the vehicle, and a number of rattles and defects introduced by the numerous repair attempts be addressed. (Such as the gearshift knob that pops off during "spirited" shifting... it comes off easily with just a quick tug now...) As you can imagine, we are getting quite frustrated (to our local dealers credit, when she now brings her car in, they loan her a brand new 5 series sedan, which helps placate her frustration)... but we are still getting tired of the hassle.... Wish us luck!

Jared at Pelican Parts · 05-30-2003, 08:53 AM

I have begun to notice that my own 325 leaks in the rain. I spent a good part of the weekend a while back removing mildew from under my carpets. Not a fun job..

Salvator · 05-30-2003, 11:42 AM

Quote:

I spent a good part of the weekend a while back removing mildew from under my carpets. Not a fun job..

And unhealthy too... Our daughter (3 yrs old) has had a variety of respiratory illnesses... can't correlate it to any possible mold or mildew, but she rides in the back of the car, right over where the water gathers... so.... that's why we are asking to have the carpet replaced, just in case...