New 83 320i - and a leak!

[kdevitt]

I picked this up for my brother a fortnight ago. Its an 83 320i auto, in need of some loving!



Its running fine, paint is dull but comes up fine (drivers wing has been pc'd). Bottom of wing needs to be welded or wing replaced, and front panel needs replacing.

Anyway - first main issue - the carpet in the drivers side is soaked.

With the use of some talcum powder and a few gallons of water I tracked down the leak to behind the accelerator - right in the corner.

Is this a common enough area for leaks? I know I could just patch it from inside and stop the leak - but don't want it causing an issue somewhere else. Is this the jacking point which requires a bit of attention?

[Blitz]

Get the carpet out quick! It could be rusty in the drivers foot well.

[Speedtouch]

Could indeed be holes in the front of the footwell(s), a common problem area which I had on my 1989 Tech 2 Sport. You can quite easily partially lift the carpet corners to check underneath, but be prepared for a fright

Nice looking car otherwise

[hennabm]

Also the screen could be leaking as the earlier bodies have a tendency to rust under the rubber alng the top of the scuttle panel.

[kdevitt]

Just to clarify - I have the carpets out! And the sponge. Theres definitely a hole - no sign of rust other than around the accelerator pedal, and that wire brushed off.

The water is coming in front the very bottom corner - I've circled the area on a picture of someone elses car!! The water is coming through where the red circle is - theres no visible hole at such, and its resistant to a bit of screwdriver prodding!

As I said - this picture is not my car, just wanted to make it a bit clearer!

[cirrusloon]

You'll find there's either rust in the scuttle panel (remove the grille under the wiper arm and have a good nosey) of there's rust in the bulkhead/wheelarch area.

I had exactly the same in my 325. I found a hole about the size of a 50p which meant I could check my off side front tyre tread depth without getting out of the car...

[kdevitt]

I found a hole about the size of a 50p which meant I could check my off side front tyre tread depth without getting out of the car...

I guess that had its benefits

[Ollie_bwoii]

Stunning chromie you have got there!

What is happening with the 323i?????

[kdevitt]

Stunning chromie you have got there!

What is happening with the 323i?????

Its getting picked up for a full respray in a week or two and having its brake lines replaced too! Have a black sports leather interior sitting in the garage for it too.

Have done quite a few bits and pieces, but nothing major at the moment!