BMW 3-Series E46 (1998 - 2005) - 2000 Touring - Rain Water Leaking In

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Tue 4 Mar 2008 08:47
2000 Touring - Rain Water Leaking In - welshpear
Hi, guys. I've got a BMW e46 touring (2000). The passenger side front carpet is always wet after rain. It does seem like the leaking come from the door seal as only half of carpte is wet (top right) and the other side (top left) is completely dry.

Has anyone got ideas what happened on my BMW? Thanks

{tweak to subject line to remove shouting}

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 04/03/2008 at 10:13

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Tue 4 Mar 2008 19:27
2000 Touring - Rain Water Leaking In - welshpear
anyone?

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 04/03/2008 at 20:56

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Thu 10 Apr 2008 15:50
2000 Touring - Rain Water Leaking In - Rich320d
Footwell leaks on the E46 are often caused by a detatched weather membrane behind the interior door trim.

Its a grey foam sheet that is glued to the door frame with butyl rubber sealant, it allows access into the door, to the locks, window regulator etc, but needs to be sealed or any water entering the door might leak out into the interior rather than out through the drain holes in the door bottom.

The sealant often dries out over the years allowing the sheet to detatch and then water in. The telltale is water sitting on top of the door seal rubber, its coming from under the door card/trim.

Get the door card off to fix it. The sealant is on sale in Aquatic centres/ebay etc.
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Thu 10 Apr 2008 16:06
2000 Touring - Rain Water Leaking In - Optimist
Rich is probably right. I had a car that did the same thing. Same reason. added wrinkle in that it was only when parked nose downhill so took longer to trace. May be worth replacing the door card too.
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Thu 10 Apr 2008 18:05
2000 Touring - Rain Water Leaking In - Rich320d
Dont need to replace the door card.

Just replace or you can usually reseal the membrane/sheeting behind it.
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Thu 10 Apr 2008 19:40
2000 Touring - Rain Water Leaking In - Bill Payer
half of carpte is wet (top right) and the other side (top left)
is completely dry.

I'm not familiar with BMW's but that sounds more like water running in through the heater vents, which is common on some cars.

Caused by the scuttle (where the air intake is) drain being blocked.
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Fri 11 Apr 2008 11:54
2000 Touring - Rain Water Leaking In - Rich320d
Certainly could be that, Bill.

The owner needs to check the drains under the pollen filter are clear and not draining out on to the bulkhead, you can turn them to adjust the flow I beleive.

Here are some pics:

www.bmw325i.net/maint_microfilter_replmt.shtml
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