Member
So I took my 540 on a camping trip, we had storms last night and when I got up this morning the rear passengers side area carpet was soaking wet. The rest of the cabin include the rear seat and door card is completely is completely dry. There was no water on the headliner either. Anyone have any idea on where the leak might be?
Almost There
Moderator
Very common issue. Do some searching. Likely just door vapor seal.
98 540i 6, 525 whp, 120 mph 1/4, V3 Si S/C'er @16 psi, W/A I/C, Water/Meth, Supersprint Headers, HJS Cats, 3" Custom Exhaust, UUC Twin Disc, Wavetrac LSD, GC Coil Overs, Monoball TA, AEM FP, Aeromotive FPR, AEM Failsafe AFR/Boost, Style 65's w/275's, M5 Steering Box, Eibach Sways, M3 Shifter, Evans Coolant, 85 Deg Stat, PWM Fan, 10" Subs, B.A. speakers, Grom Aux/BT, Still Rolling as my DD!
Member
yep. 99% chance its rear door vapor seals. Sometimes the water ingress is worse than others due to blowing rain, car on incline.
Tip from a LOT of experience with this. Re-sealing existing original foam barrier never lasted long for me. (few months at the most) The black butyl adhesive would not stick consistently on the backside of the foam barrier, allowing the barrier to pull lose along the lower edges from the door. Reheating the original butly, using new butyl. Never lasted. Using a new replacement barrier along with a secondary line of new butyl worked the best/longest for ME.
FASTEN SEAT BELTS
I used Silicone ala E39Source.
If you ever have to go back in, a knife will do the trick.
Almost There
Moderator
I used black silicone too with good success. I clean all surfaces really good first. Not too hard to remove later if you need to.
98 540i 6, 525 whp, 120 mph 1/4, V3 Si S/C'er @16 psi, W/A I/C, Water/Meth, Supersprint Headers, HJS Cats, 3" Custom Exhaust, UUC Twin Disc, Wavetrac LSD, GC Coil Overs, Monoball TA, AEM FP, Aeromotive FPR, AEM Failsafe AFR/Boost, Style 65's w/275's, M5 Steering Box, Eibach Sways, M3 Shifter, Evans Coolant, 85 Deg Stat, PWM Fan, 10" Subs, B.A. speakers, Grom Aux/BT, Still Rolling as my DD!
Member
on other note (from experinece). A perfectly good seal will prevent mosture from getting onto the black rubber part of the rear doorsill, not just onto the carpet. If that black rubber part gets constantly wet, the rubber part will start to turn light grey, then brownish, then basically come apart from rot. So best test of a vapor barrier repair is to check for dampness on the door sill after a car wash/rain
Member
And since you said the rear passenger side was soaked, when you dry it check the fuse buss under the passenger seat that it gets dried out also.
Member
I may have to look into that, I am the 2nd owner, and the car has a rust hole in the rear passenger floor. I noticed it when I did the rear shocks, but everywhere else is dry and rust free. Only once had the door panel been removed. If it is missing, is it available or home made?
e30 325i, the mighty 4 door granma mobile....Gone
e39 528i, 4 door sports tank
Member
Permatex Black Silicone Adhesive and good to go for life.
First rule of politics - the voters don't decide the election, the counters do.
The appearance of the Law must be upheld, Especially when it's being broken.
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