Water leak in Jack area.

[BMWLOCO]

Yup, rainy season here in the Gulf Coast.

I'm seeing some water coming into the Jack area of the E30. I reset the seals around the rail lights and they are good now. After a few showers, I'm seeing the water in there. I have a drain hole, but I still am getting some CC's of water.

I suspect the over the door trim (Item 4) that is loose and water might be coming in from the little plugs that hold it in place.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

[blacksport325]

Check your antenna seal as well.

[jlevie]

The antenna seal is a good possibility. You can draw some lines with blackboard chalk below suspect areas and check later to see if the chalk has been washed off to find the source of leaks.

[phenobarb1]

Damn, that chalk idea is brilliant in its simplicity. I've never heard that trick before.

[CabrioPunk]

Antenna seal, trunk and tail light gaskets.

[BMWLOCO]

The antennae is out of the car, I've since covered the hole up with masking tape. I'll do the chalk test to see where the water is dripping from.. (Brilliant!)... Next is the trunk gasket, but my main concern is the "Air Moulding" over the door. Part #4 above. It doesn't settle in that flush..

Thanks in advance...

[CabrioPunk]

That is not a commonly seen/known leak spot. While water in the jack spot is common and typically the seals mentioned earlier. Just go down the list from least expensive seals and see what fixes it.

[jdt10768]

on a '91 318iS: I am seeing a small amount of h2o in the jack area as well - after heavy rains. I replaced the driver's side rear tail light gasket, but still have the leak. Trunk gasket looks fine - in good shape. Is there a sunroof drain tube over there? Antenna gasket looks fine, and I can't imagine that teaspoonsful of water could leak in there. What else can I check? The molding mentioned above seems fine, but I have never attempted to remove it . . . thanks in advance

[goldenbb]

The part #4 in that diagram creates a rain gutter, I don't think it is supposed to fit flush to the car. At least, mine doesn't.

[vpilarrt]

Remove the side trunk carpet/panel.
Get in the trunk with a flasklight.
Close trunk lid.
Have someone spray the car with a water hose on full blast.
Look for leaks inside.

[jdt10768]

great idea vp - will report back

[audiquattrot]

The part #4 in that diagram creates a rain gutter, I don't think it is supposed to fit flush to the car. At least, mine doesn't.

there are 3 plastic grommets/gaskets (#8/#9) that hold part #4.....if they aren't 100% flush mounted into the hole of the body...it will leak. I took a hammer and had to lightly tap these in when i replaced the grommets.

Also check the gasket of those air vent flaps (hidden behind the side of the rear bumper). you can see the backside of them on either side of the interior trunk (jack areas). Mine was recently leaking from there as well.

Remove the side trunk carpet/panel.
Get in the trunk with a flasklight.
Close trunk lid.
Have someone spray the car with a water hose on full blast.
Look for leaks inside.

bingo!

best way of tracking down the leaks.

[Gerta]

JDT - you can add the seals to the drains for the sunroof as potential weak spots. Items 9 & 10: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...36&hg=51&fg=15

This is what Audiquattrot is talking about: "Also check the gasket of those air vent flaps (hidden behind the side of the rear bumper). you can see the backside of them on either side of the interior trunk (jack areas). Mine was recently leaking from there as well."

[TobyB]

tail light gaskets.

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