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water in the trunk of a 325ic

 
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k1hb



Joined: 20 Nov 2002
Posts: 1239
Location: boston

PostPosted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 12:22 pm    Post subject: water in the trunk of a 325ic Reply with quote

ok, i think i know where it comes from:
the tools are all wet and rusty and the antenna is "loose"....

Q1:is there a "best way" to seal the third (rear) light on top of the trunk lid?
on a previous car i just gooped up the holes with silicon rubber and that seemed to do the trick....messy.

i see 4 philips screws buried in the foam rubber.
Q2: is that foam rubber avail. at bavauto?

the left side well that contains the tire tools etc is a bathtub....
Q3: isnt there a hole in the bottom for just that case? or do i have to drill a 1/4in hole at its lowest level, just above the muffler?

Q4 unrelated: i changed both front wheel bearings, but on a flat road i still have a distinct discreet vibration/hum....what are the symptoms of that driveshaft ujoint/connecter after the gearbox, made of cloth layers....had a crazy name....could that be a culprit?

Fred
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85-325e



Joined: 30 Jun 2002
Posts: 4712
Location: Southampton, NY

PostPosted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 1:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Fred...

Q1: The antenna grommet, if it's really loose, could be dropping in some water, but I would venture a guess and say that, in light of ALL of the water you have, it's probably coming from the tail light gaskets. When not sealed well, those things can dump water into the car.

I don't have one of those third lights, but I'm guess here... that gasket is probably shot... replace it. I had all of that water too... however, mine was from not only the tail light, but once that tool well rusts, a hole can develop from water careening off the tires as you drive, and it just sprays onto the tool well. Remove all of the carpeting and take a good look in there. I sealed mine before I had it repainted.

Q2: Get the part number and ask Bav Auto. If they don't have it and can't get it, as long as it's available, Pelican Parts can always get them. In terms of OEM parts, I've found Pelican to be the most reliable.

Q3: There's no hole there. Get the water out, dry it, and then see Q1 above.

Q4: Haven't got a clue Wink! The name for it is a guibo or flex-disk. Motor mounts, if worn, can generate some unpleasant vibrations.
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Cosmo - 1985 BMW 325e, Single Owner, 265,000+ ORIGINAL miles and still going strong! But now on the East Coast and the salt air corrosion is eating my beautiful car alive... Sad

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k1hb



Joined: 20 Nov 2002
Posts: 1239
Location: boston

PostPosted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 8:28 am    Post subject: fixed? Reply with quote

i recaulked all gaskets, and put a dollop of gasket caulk silicone rubber on all the 7 screws that hold down the taillght.

will see now. no rot in tool well! should i dril hole after thorough rustoleum repaint?

fred
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cjhsa



Joined: 10 Jun 2004
Posts: 325
Location: West Michigan

PostPosted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 11:40 am    Post subject: Re: fixed? Reply with quote

k1hb wrote:
i recaulked all gaskets, and put a dollop of gasket caulk silicone rubber on all the 7 screws that hold down the taillght.

will see now. no rot in tool well! should i dril hole after thorough rustoleum repaint?

fred


My car is older, but I had a similar problem, which I fixed by drilling two small holes in the bottom of each tail/brake/turn light fixture. Just make sure you drill into the "well" in them where the water collects.

I replaced the tail light gaskets without success. The trunk gasket never leaked.

I also carry a piece of 1/8" drip watering tubing in the trunk to siphon out water if it gets in there. The fixture will short out and you will get a warning about a bulb being out if water starts to collect. Sometimes the bulbs live through it, but not always.
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1984 325e 5-speed coupe
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85-325e



Joined: 30 Jun 2002
Posts: 4712
Location: Southampton, NY

PostPosted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 2:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Guys... Drilling holes isn't a solution to the problem. You have to solve the problem... then you won't need the holes.

Fred... One of the easiest ways to find out where water is coming from is to line the trunk with newspaper and hose the car down. The water that drips in will be very indicative on the newspaper.

Make sure you have the paper all over so that wherever the water's coming in, it'll stain the paper. Then address the leak properly.
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Cosmo - 1985 BMW 325e, Single Owner, 265,000+ ORIGINAL miles and still going strong! But now on the East Coast and the salt air corrosion is eating my beautiful car alive... Sad

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k1hb



Joined: 20 Nov 2002
Posts: 1239
Location: boston

PostPosted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 6:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

tks guys

my problem is not where the water comes from.
i siliconized the loose ant base and the 7 screws and gaskets on the taillight.
admit that the taillight foam gasket is useless but little water will come in from there.

so: disagree with you: drill holes in all dependent depressed areas. if you want to know how it helps, ck your mercedes UNIMOG.
the passenger footwell on my 325ic has actually rubber plugged holes that can leak water from inside-out there, provided you keep them functioning, unclogged unstuck etc!

so its fixed for now but its a pita and typically its where the e30 starts to rust out .... and die.

prevention may be knowing where it comes from but what can you do with snow covered shoes on your passengers at midnight?

=>a 1/4in hole is better than all the " prevention ", my opinion.

best

fred
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cjhsa



Joined: 10 Jun 2004
Posts: 325
Location: West Michigan

PostPosted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 8:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just know what worked after spending a lot of money on gaskets and crap.
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1984 325e 5-speed coupe
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k1hb



Joined: 20 Nov 2002
Posts: 1239
Location: boston

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 8:20 pm    Post subject: fixed Reply with quote

left my 325ic's out in heavy rain: dry trunk!
so most of the flood came in through third light on trunk. i used black rubberized glue.
now I have to rebuild the toolbox foam rubber.
the tools were really corroded but with a galvanic bath they came out pristine and with the silver wheel paint look like new.
very happy.
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m78



Joined: 14 Nov 2001
Posts: 2807
Location: In the great midwest

PostPosted: Sat Oct 06, 2012 8:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Congratulations!

water leaks can be so frustrating and so difficult to pinpoint.

I think I may have solved mine. I tested it at the car wash but still a little too nervous about leaving it out uncovered.

Did you do anything with your trunk opening gasket readjust? replace?


.
.
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