BMW rear passenger footwell soaked

Elessar

Wondering if anyone can help me out.

I've a BMW 330e 2017 mSport model. Recently I've found the drivers side rear passenger footwell soaked after it rains. After a bit of investigating it seems that water is getting onto the carpet via the door at the bottom, where the light is. It's coming from inside the door paneling, so I am assuming a seal somewhere inside the door is gone, maybe the vapour barrier but it's hard to tell.

I've been onto the dealer but the closest they can get me in is the end of the month, 4 weeks away (don't even want to think about what they are gonna charge me!). I've been putting down towels to try to soak up the water but only today after last nights heavy rain the carpet in that section is absolutely drowned - there was a massive puddle. Obviously this is getting urgent and I'm worried it will start to smell with another months worth of rain to go.

Does anyone know any decent garages who would have knowledge of this issue I could contact? I would be useless with this stuff so would prefer someone who knows what they're doing. Also any tips for getting me through the next few weeks would be appreciated! The car has a FBMWSH and is perfect except for this!

sumo12

I'd guess most garages will run a mile from water leaks. Everything needs to be stripped out of the interior to dry it. Lads will take shortcuts and put dehumidifiers in them but the only way to dry the thick foam insulation under the carpets is to remove seats, consoles, carpets everything.

Once stripped out to the metal, then you need to go find the leak.... is there a sunroof fitted? Blocked drains is a common suspect.

All of this takes time and very difficult to charge the customer for all the hours that need to be spent on it. Sorry, I realise none of this helps....

Hyperbollix

From my experience with older Beemers (and since it's not near the windscreen), I'd say it is indeed the vapour barrier come loose. The last time I had this I just removed the door card, heated up the black mastic glue that sticks the barrier to the metal and then pressed it back down in place. That stopped it.

If there are rubber drain plugs on the bottom of the door you should remove them too as door could have water standing in it which is seeping into the footwell.

bazz26

You could try bringing it to a crash repair shop, they might look at it for you. They are taking panels/trim/seals apart and putting them back together all the time. Rather than the smell I'd be more concerned about corrosion to wiring looms and exposed metal.

mikeecho

I had a similar issue with a VW, rear passenger footwell was like a swimming pool.

Turns out a drain by the windscreen was blocked.

Elessar

Thanks all.

Thanks for this especially - I decided to take matters into my own hands and after watching a few YouTube vids, I took apart the door panel myself. The vapor barrier/membrane was actually torn in a few places, and there were a couple of holes in it, at the bottom, which were wet so I suspect these were the culprits. I've sealed them up with some superglue and once set I'll put some black masking tape over the affected areas. I notice the clips that attach the door panel to the frame also have seals on them - but a few are broken now and a few didn't have any seals. I'm gonna order a pack for delivery hopefully next week and replace them before putting the door back together. Hopefully that will sort it!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120942929#Comment_120942929

Hyperbollix

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120943598#Comment_120943598

Nice one.

If you're going to use a tape, don't use one that will dissolve like toilet paper in wet conditions. I'd be thinking maybe that orange gorilla tape. Strong and very sticky. You could use something like silicone to re-stick it either if the original black adhesive can't be re-used.

Either way it sounds like the barrier IS the culprit, so you should be able to sort it without alot of hassle.