E30 Bulkhead foam gasket replacement

[e30fanaticz]

NEED HELP..

can anyone please tell me how to properly replace the bulkhead foam gasket. the dash is currently out. i am replacing both gaskets on the bulkhead but i am nervous about the one that goes to the outside of the car because if done wrong it can cause the car to leak water and i would have to pull everything off again. i cannot find any tips about replacing it or making sure it will not leak after being replaced. thanks in advance.

[BlackSpeed66]

By bulkhead do you mean the metal cover for the blower motor opening near the back of the engine? On mine, I cleaned all the dry rotted gasket off and found a roll of adhesive-backed foam in the HVAC section at Lowe's/Home Depot. I cut it to fit and it seems to have been fine since. I vaguely remember seeing it available on realoem with a factory part number. Might want to search there and see if you can order it.

[TimeMachinE30]

Yes, visit your local hardware store for a similar item.

[jeffnhiscars]

I'm not sure about the hvac to firewall gasket but the dash to hvac gasket seems to be nla. I've been waiting months for 2'so will go the Home Depot route. I suggest using epdm which will far outlast your basic foam

[Jordan]

Do you mean the large foam gasket that seals the IHKS to the firewall? It and the IHKA to dash duct gasket are perfectly available, I just ordered both for my car...

#2 and #3

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=64_1719




I would not cheap out and go the Home Depot route, maybe with the duct gasket but certainly not with the one that seals the IHKS to the firewall. It is routinely under water in the rain and you want an assured seal.

[agent]

It's been a while but I got one for Klaus too, either from Blunt or BMW Schererville.

[jeffnhiscars]

I'll kick my parts guy in the butt. Thanks

[jeffnhiscars]

Once the dash is out, how much more work is it to drop the hvac unit and replace the bulkhead foam ?

Can it just be loosened and work in a new gasket (which would require a cut and reglue I'm sure) ?

[fitswell]

Once the dash is out, how much more work is it to drop the hvac unit and replace the bulkhead foam ?

Can it just be loosened and work in a new gasket (which would require a cut and reglue I'm sure) ?

not to revive a dead thread but this is a good question

[Rev Run D]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3736tFNsjuo&t=8m46s

looks like it.

[jeffnhiscars]

You don't need to remove the hvac unit to replace the foam. Once the dash is out it just sitting there. It's also a good idea to refoam the flaps. You can use a roll of weather stripping...just be careful not to break any of the flaps as they are brittle.