dash/bulkhead query

[scurran83]

I'm after getting some small holes welded in the passenger footwell to stop the water coming in. The carpet is currently out of the car and i am proceeding with the dreaded water test!!!!
I have a minor leak under the steering column which i am going to investigate and sort out.
I'm just beginning to think it would be a better job if i could see everything a bit more clearer. My thoughts are to somehow drop the dash if possible to enable me to see all the hidden areas behind and assess the situation.
Does this sound like sense or should i be going about it a different way?
how big a job is dropping the dash and how much more access will it provide? will i need to remove it completely?
any comments welcome!!!

[bimanut]

Regarding the water coming in near the steering coloumn have you checked the "elephant trunk" to see if its blocked?

[scurran83]

the elephant trunk is not there any more so the water is flowing out of the hole where the elephant trunk goes. i dont think not having the rubber elephant truck will matter too much, but i may be wrong!!!

[bimanut]

With the trunk missing theres a fair chance that the water could running down the panel till it finds the coloumn.With the trunk fitted the water will run off away from the body

[scurran83]

So it may be my first port of call then!!! Cheers mate. Can you pick up new elephant trunks? Dealer? or no chance??

[Duke137]

The leak could be a rotten battery tray area and also behind the pedal box. It has become apparent recently that the majority of E30's can hide rot in and around the bulkhead.

Ideally you want to look at the whole are from both sides but to be honest the only real way to assess the bulkhead situation is to do a complete dashboard and engine and box removal....

Have a look at my project thread: However, most of my grot is passenger side but the battery tray has started to go through above the pedal box also. It's pretty grim.

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ght=dechav

[bimanut]

Not got a clue about availability,give em a visit
Or the tat yard?

[scurran83]

Cheers Duke,
Just had a look at your thread. Think i may be following in your footsteps in the winter then. Building a garage at the minute so once thats up ill be following your thread even closer.
Im not afraid of work like yourself but i must say the sight of that wiring loom coming out absolutely scares the shit out of me!!!! lol

[scurran83]

ill give Bmw a call se if they have any elephant trunks too!! Is there another name for them or a part number? Dont expect to be taken seriously asking for one over the phone!!!

[daimlerman]

Dashboard out is time consuming rather than difficult.

You need to remove both parts of the centre console first,glovebox and it's liners,instrument cluster,heater control panel.
The shell it's self is held by just 4 10mm bolts.Dash loom plugs in behind the glovebox,but the column loom is attached to the underside of the dash,and stays behind!
I find it easier to lower the steering column,but it's held as standard by security bolts,and remove the steery wheel.

[scurran83]

Yeah sounds like i need a bit of time to do it right. I have the photo guide for how to remove the dash so i should be ok. Fingers crossed.
Ill have a look and see what i can do in the mean time until i attack it big time in the winter.
Thanks for all the help.

[Duke137]

I've just been to see DanThe in this morning and a car he just reshelled had been fibre glassed all round the steering column..... It just depends how lucky you are I guess!

Good luck, PM me when you start I'll watch your with interest as well