E30 External Air vent leak

[juicee187]

Hi Guys,

new to the forum and need a hand bought an e30 4 weeks ago it has a leak and ive realised the water is going in from the external air vent on the passenger side, ive checked the surrounding scuttle panel and cant see any rust arund it, after removing the grill i see alot of debris and muck in there any idea how i can illeminate further please.

Thanks

[Rtaylor2208]

Are you sure the leak is water and not coolant? The heater matrix leaking into the passenger footwell can be a common problem on these cars.

[juicee187]

defo sure because ive pulled up the carpets and poured water over the vent and it tricked straight into the footwell

[Brianmoooore]

Water is supposed to get into the scuttle box, but it is supposed to find its way out again via three drains, not flow into the passenger compartment.
There is a triangular hole at each end of the box, that exits at the rear of the wheel arches, above the arch liners. The third drain is near the inner end of the front battery tray, on the bulkhead, and is commonly known as the 'elephant's trunk' because of its shape. If this one blocks (it frequently does), water will overflow into the heater air intake, and leak out into the cabin from the lower heater outlets.
If this isn't the problem, then unfortunately you have a serious rust problem.