Damp passenger footwell !!

Post Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:22 am

I know this question has been asked before but .. as title says slightly damp and havent pulled the carpets yet any ideas where i should start. Ive checked the elephants trunk and that is clear. read some where about sunroof drains blocking!!

cheers

lee

Post Mon Dec 12, 2005 7:15 am

Check the rubber gasket around your door opening. Mine was old and lifeless and crushed flat from years of use. We did a hose test and surprisingly, when the door was closed, water was able to get up and over the gasket at the lower front corner.

Also, if you've got side repeaters, water could be coming in along the wire and into the speaker kick panels. Less likely, though.

Post Mon Dec 12, 2005 9:07 am

Water could be getting in loads of places.
Only way to find out for sure is to take the carpet out, have a good look around, and do the hosepipe test.
Worst scenario is rust around the big bulkhead grommet at the front of the fusebox, where the fusebox wires come through.

Post Mon Dec 12, 2005 1:51 pm

ok guys carpets out it is if i dont find anything obvious. On the sunroof question. does anyone know where the drains are situated and how to check if they are blocked ??

cheers

lee

Post Mon Dec 12, 2005 1:59 pm

OK here's what greeted me with the carpet removed

Look at the rust stains dripping down. this is from a hole under the fusebox area, but also coming through from the innner front wheel arch area, so water getting thrown up from the front tyre also entering the cabin. Dashboard out and fusebox/electrics under the bonnet/ soundproofing needs removing to weld this up

Post Mon Dec 12, 2005 11:23 pm

f#ck, i have the same problem but seems to be worse at the back pasenger footwell. i am scared to take the carpet up now for what i might find

does the carpet come up easily, i presume the passenger seat has to come out?

Post Mon Dec 12, 2005 11:26 pm

i did accidently leave the sunroof slighty ajar a while ago and i am hoping its that that caused it! condensation is becoming anoying

Post Tue Dec 13, 2005 12:06 am

oguz3001 wrote:f#ck, i have the same problem but seems to be worse at the back pasenger footwell. i am scared to take the carpet up now for what i might find
does the carpet come up easily, i presume the passenger seat has to come out?

There are two round metal plates about 100mm diameter, clipped into the rear footwells, one directly under the base of each front seat.
These either come loose or the fixing lugs rust off. Either replace them or weld a plate across the hole.

Post Thu Dec 15, 2005 5:52 pm

thanks brian, will give that a go

Post Thu Dec 15, 2005 6:21 pm

Hi,

Have a look on my site (see www logo at the bottom) as there are a few photos on the front footwells on my 1988 E30 325 when I took the carpet out. In both corners there was rust and with a bit of 'prodding' (nice) I soon saw light

. It seems from the outside the front wheel arches hold mud where the mud flaps attach and if they are not cleaned out properly then the wet mud & dirt starts doing it's stuff...It had to be cut out and new plate welded in for Ãƒ”šÃ‚£240.00 but it was worth it as it's being used as a track day sl@g with a cage in it.

Otherwise it's wellie boots fella!
Cheers
Ian