Leek into n/s footwell

[yetta]

I have water leeking into the n/s footwell mainly when I wash the car. It is coming in from the external air vent above the wiper motor.Where does the water drain out from this compartment, as there may be a blocked drain pipe. 1990 E30 2 door

[Contours]

A known area for passenger footwell leaks is where the wiring enters the cabin from the engine compartment just behind the glovebox. There is a grommet here that the wiring protrudes through and water can get behind this and rot out that section. You will have to remove the glovebox to check this.

[Brianmoooore]

Check out the condition of the area where the stud that bolts the RH side of the glovebox hinge in place is located. Apply pressure to the stud and see if it breaks off.

[yetta]

Thanks for replies. The water is leaking between the grummet and the bulkhead, I have removed glove box no sign of rust. Have checked inside of area under windscreen wiper motor all looks ok. So how can water get down to the grummet ? Next job romove grummet for a better look

[Brianmoooore]

The bulkhead above the grommet/glove box hinge area is double skinned. The two sheets of steel go up, and then spread one each way, to form the bottom of the scuttle box where the wiper motor lives. Eventually the sealant used to cover the seam between the two sheets fails, and water, which enters via the scuttle grills, finds its way between the two skins of the bulkhead, which rots from the inside, often resulting in the stud that holds the glovebox hinge falling off.
The water can also affect the metal around the bukhead grommet, but rust holes here are more often the result of the grommet not being fitted properly,or rust spreading inwards from the rear of the wheel arch.