General E30 related discussions -
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bedumon
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Sat Jan 30, 2010 1:58 pm
I've opened the boot and had a look in the wells to get the jack out and there's alot of water in both sides....BUT the cars been sitting on the drive for the last month. I'm quite confused cause I've read before the water comes from holes in the arches when the car has been driven.
Maybe new boot rubbers would do the trick?
Cheers.
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Nay
- Channel Island Crew

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Sat Jan 30, 2010 2:03 pm
We found a leak in the spoiler holes on mine. Otherwise boot seals are a possible cause.
Urm, have you tried waiting for it all to dry (not necessarily the water in the wells) and running water over it, then quickly opening the boot to catch the culprit red handed?
Uni is killing the project.
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capri_rob
- Married to the E30 Zone

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Sat Jan 30, 2010 2:36 pm
Boot seal, Rear light seals and spoiler holes are the usual culprits.
If you can't find the leak and you want a proper bodge just drill a small hole at the lowest point of each well, and then paint the bare metal where you've drilled with hammerite or similar to stop it rusting - that way the water can't collect there and will simply drain away.

e30topless said : Proper BMW's have 4 headlights, last of the run was the E30 and E34/E32 anything after that is just complete shite
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oakey
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Sat Jan 30, 2010 3:06 pm
I'd guess at rear light seals. Mine were letting through water that was collecting in the boot wells. Easy and cheap to replace. Bootlid seal is less likely to drip water into the wells.
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DaveD
- E30Zone Wiki Specialist
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Sat Jan 30, 2010 6:24 pm
capri_rob wrote:Boot seal, Rear light seals and spoiler holes are the usual culprits.
If you can't find the leak and you want a proper bodge just drill a small hole at the lowest point of each well, and then paint the bare metal where you've drilled with hammerite or similar to stop it rusting - that way the water can't collect there and will simply drain away.

there is a factory drain hole there already ...just needs clearing out
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shimsheemer
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Sat Jan 30, 2010 6:42 pm
Sometimes the rear sunroof drains (which run out of the vent ellipses) allow water out. If I remember rightly they are held on with single position jubilee type clips. I have also had trouble with the rear light seals and boot seal. The holes in the wells is a quick fix that an independent technician did for me, but I'd leave it until you've done the other fixes and checked the original drains. Worth checking under the rear seat bench too as the sunroof and rear quarter-lights love sending water under there too...
Open the boot after a spot of rain and hunt for water traces/trickles - they do show up sometimes...
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mc_hawkings24
- E30 Zone Regular

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Sun Jan 31, 2010 11:00 am
best thing to do is get in the boot and have a (trusting) friend use a hose over the boot.
I had to do this to find out where water was coming in. I'd replaced the boot sill but not the rear light sills which were buggered.
£10 for two at your dealer
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bedumon
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Sun Jan 31, 2010 1:45 pm
Cheers guys. Now for some detective work to try an hunt down the leaky bit.

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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

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Sun Jan 31, 2010 4:39 pm
Talcum powder is the way to track down the point of entry!
Sprinkle it around, and the water will wash a track in it where it comes in.
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bedumon
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Mon Feb 01, 2010 1:43 pm
Should I remove the carpet in the boot and then try talcum powder because I don't think its running over the carpet?

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ade36
- E30 Zone Newbie

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Mon Feb 01, 2010 1:50 pm
If you can't find the leak and you want a proper bodge just drill a small hole at the lowest point of each well, and then paint the bare metal where you've drilled with hammerite or similar to stop it rusting - that way the water can't collect there and will simply drain away.
This worked for me last year!
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Kos
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Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:03 pm
rear boot seal and rear light seals are the usual culprate , however new ones may not cure the problem.
the lip of metal the boot seal goes on to can rust away, and water can still seep in and collect into the boot.
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safedave
- E30 Zone Regular

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Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:06 pm
i had same problem, then noticed i had condensation on my rear passenger lights, now sorted with new seal for light!!!
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

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Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:35 pm
bedumon wrote:Should I remove the carpet in the boot and then try talcum powder because I don't think its running over the carpet?

Take the carpet and the side liners out. Be very suspicious of any slight orange stains anywhere on the inner wheel arches, however small - they are probably rust holes!
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kdevitt
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Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:54 pm
Brianmoooore wrote:Talcum powder is the way to track down the point of entry!
Sprinkle it around, and the water will wash a track in it where it comes in.
+1 - used this successfully myself, worked a treat
Mine was drenched at the weekend - rear lights hadn't been tightened up by the guys who did my respray, its fine since - including after a power washing.