HELP! Water in my Wells WHY?

[Jay07]

Hi People!

I keep getting water in my boot wells? Mainly on the right side. From the trails it seems to be coming through the rear light gasket but after replacing it - the water returns? I know this must be a common fault - Its a real pain!? I was told that the gasket wasnt supposed to be put on too tight and with a brand new one theres no need for any bond! so i didnt yet the same problem! Any Ideas? Much appreciated

Jason

[Jay07]

come on guys i know its a crap question but i dont have an answers?

Jason

[stranter]

I'd try replacing the boot seal next. Have you checked the aerial area too? Definitely no rot anywhere letting water in?

Stewart

[Jay07]

Hey Stewart! Thanks for the reply mate!

I remember replacing the boot seal sometime ago but i cant remember if i had got a second hand one or new (i expect second hand at the time) I will try that next. Have you had the same problem?
The arial seems ok! But there is definately some rot up and behind the rear light cluster!!

Guess i'll have to get my bucket out and run some more tests!!

Cheers!

[Brianmoooore]

Pull the boot seal off, and see what rust horrors are underneath.
Rot in the right hand wheel arch lets water into here as well.

[telski789]

take rear lights out,put a bead of silicon over the rubber seal,then put back on,voila!! i do this immediately every time i buy an e30!

Tel

[kevin316i]

If its the drivers side then it could be due to the rubber boot on the petrol flap solenoid being perished. Water can get into the wheel well this way.

[Jay07]

Cheers Guys! - I was trying to avoid the silicon over the seal as the peeps at BMW said it wasn't neccessary, so long as you bolt it on evenly!! Guess i'll have to back there if i dont find another obvious problem!

Brain, cheers for that i'll check out the arch 2moro hopefully there won't be a shock waiting for me!

[Jay07]

Cheers Kevin! Though i'm not quite sure of the part your talking about (cant visualise it at the mo) I have a look in the morning and hopefully it'll be obvious... most of the water is in the drivers side well. Its such a pain, sometimes i just feel like chucking goldfish in there and making it a feature!!!

[bigkev]

had the same problem on mine turned out to be the drain for the electric aerial was blocked and all the rain waterc was draining into the boot cleared all the drains and no problem since

[Jay07]

Alrite B-Kev!
Thanks for the look out mate! The thing is ive only just bought an electric arial as it wasn't an original feature. Most of the water is in the driver side well. I'm glad you mentioned the drain for it though, because i haven't addressed that yet! - To be honest as a newbie I know theres a draining tube in the well but i couldn't tell you exactly where i send the drain from the arial, so that the water head out?
hmm..

[Brianmoooore]

! - To be honest as a newbie I know theres a draining tube in the well but i couldn't tell you exactly where i send the drain from the arial, so that the water head out?
hmm..

If you look at the side of the rear side wells at bumper level you will see a rectangular air vent each side with a rubber flap in it. On the ends of this structure there are blanked off drain holes. Route the aerial drain to one of these.
If you have a sunroof, the rear drains from that will already be connected to one of them.

[kevin316i]

Jay07,

To see the rubber boot on the petrol flap solenoid, you need to remove two small screws on the little bracket around the tip of the locking pin you see in the petrol flap area. Inside the boot, you can them remove the solenoid and the rubber boot is on the end of the solenoid. Its a small rubber accordian shaped tube, and perishes over time. Easy to get a new one from the dealers and very cheap. When you put new one on, make sure to put a bit of sealant on the end of it before it you reattach it so water doesn't leak in through the gap.

Regards,
Kevin.