Interior leaks - question on window seal / vapor barrier and window tracks+motor

[mike87]

Hey r3v,

I'm chasing some nasty water leaks in my 1990 E30, primarily around the interior front foot wells. I currently have my door cards off and vapor barriers off (i.e., the door seals held on by butyl tape). If I run a stream of water on the outside window, it POURS into the inside cabin. I'm guessing this is normal because I have the door cards and vapor barriers off, but just wondering if:
1. This gap between the window and the exterior seal is normal and supposed to let in a bunch of water? (see red line in this photo)
2. Is it normal for water to get the window tracks+motor wet since it's inside the door on the "wet" side of the vapor barrier?





Thanks!

[tomstin]

Those rubber seals are there to keep the majority of the rain water out of the door but do not "seal" the door. Which is why there are large drains in the bottom of the door. After chasing multiple leaks here is my list:

[mike87]

Those rubber seals are there to keep the majority of the rain water out of the door but do not "seal" the door. Which is why there are large drains in the bottom of the door. After chasing multiple leaks here is my list:

This attachment is super helpful! Wish it had detailed pics.

Any chance you know where the drain holes in the rocker panels are? I am having a super tough time finding them.

[ADEN]

It seems that your door has a hole (lower part)from the interior side that attaches to the door card .when the water comes from the red line in your pic should pile in the door body the door body can hold like 6 to 10 inches of water in it, if the door drains can't release that water (clogged) then it will start to flood from the door card area to interior.

Yesterday i discovered that my door has like more than 4 liters trapped due to clogged drains with no drop in the interior.

Check your lower door body for holes or cracks. Pour water in it and seal the drain hole and see where the water leaks.

Water will not go in from the window even if the rubber seal is not there unless the window is rolled down.

[mike87]

It seems that your door has a hole (lower part)from the interior side that attaches to the door card .when the water comes from the red line in your pic should pile in the door body the door body can hold like 6 to 10 inches of water in it, if the door drains can't release that water (clogged) then it will start to flood from the door card area to interior.

Yesterday i discovered that my door has like more than 4 liters trapped due to clogged drains with no drop in the interior.

Check your lower door body for holes or cracks. Pour water in it and seal the drain hole and see where the water leaks.

Water will not go in from the window even if the rubber seal is not there unless the window is rolled down.

Thanks for the tip! I noticed the hole last week and made sure to clear it with a stiff wire (it wasn't clogged). There's actually 2 holes, one on the lower front and lower rear ends of the door. If the vapor barrier is off, it appears that water will get inside.

Does anyone know if the window motors are supposed to get wet, in other words, are they robust enough to stand up against outside rain water trickling down the window tracks?

[ADEN]

Thanks for the tip! I noticed the hole last week and made sure to clear it with a stiff wire (it wasn't clogged). There's actually 2 holes, one on the lower front and lower rear ends of the door. If the vapor barrier is off, it appears that water will get inside.

Does anyone know if the window motors are supposed to get wet, in other words, are they robust enough to stand up against outside rain water trickling down the window tracks?

Yes they are, Never had a problem with the motors since i bought the car 14 years ago and living in a city where 3 months in year raining.

[mike87]

Yes they are, Never had a problem with the motors since i bought the car 14 years ago and living in a city where 3 months in year raining.

Thank you sir