E30 325i 1987 M Tech Passenger foot well soaked all the time

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Stevieabz
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Post Tue Jan 14, 2014 2:10 pm

325i Sport built in 1986, the M Technic 1 version has a very wet passenger foot well pretty much all of the time. Could anyone tell me what might be causing this, first place to look ect. My first thought is the door seals as they certainly don't look brand new and the previous owner told me the floor has just been welded up. So it can't be there. Any help is appreciated, thanks.
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BenHar
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Post Tue Jan 14, 2014 3:43 pm

Heater valve leaking.
Heater matrix leaking.
Sunroof drains leaking.
Bulkhead rusted away.

You can tell if it's the heater by checking if the water has antifreeze in it.

Ben
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Brianmoooore
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Post Tue Jan 14, 2014 11:25 pm

Check the condition of the two studs that the glovebox hinge bolts to, especially the RH one. If it twists off, then this is very bad news - it means water is getting between the two skins of the bulkhead from the scuttle box, and has rusted away the bulkhead from the inside.
Stevieabz
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Post Wed Jan 15, 2014 2:53 am

I see, I will check that and Ben's suggestions tomorrow. Why would that be such a bad thing? Is a bulkhead not easily or cheaply replaceable? Thanks
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Brianmoooore
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Post Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:22 am

Stevieabz wrote:Is a bulkhead not easily or cheaply replaceable? Thanks
It's the main structural, central element of the bodyshell. To replace it properly, the car would need to be virtually cut into two halves.