Seals - leaks - solutions

[DrGonzoPOW]

Just pulling up the carpets now the seats are out and im greeted once again by the swimming pools that are my footwells. The boot doesnt seem to have faired much better either and the rear seats are piss wet through too Usually have it under a car cover but the mega winds that have been battering us have ripped it up. Its leaked ever since i got it but things have got much worse it would seem.
Is there any kind of specialist that deal in weatherstripping and seals ? Or is it just best to buy them for stupid BMW prices and fit them myself ?
Im at the point now where i just want to get it sorted in one go and stop stressing about the thing being out in the rain.

[e21-Mark]

Do you know exactly where its leaking?

It wasn't till I stripped the whole interior out and sat in the car while it was raining that I finally found the leaks and cured them.

I have a good offside rear lamp rubber you can have gratis. Every little helps.

[DrGonzoPOW]

That would help alot i think mate, one of my rear lenses is cracked and the seals dont look in great condition. It appears to be leaking from everywhere it can leak from at the mo!

[e21-Mark]

PM your address and I'll post it tomorrow - or when my car comes back anyway.

[DrGonzoPOW]

PM'd Mark, thankyou
Ive never used Walloth for anything but are their prices generally cheaper than main dealers?

[DrGonzoPOW]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-E21-315-318-3 ... 3cb091decd
Has anyone ever bought seals from ze Germans? Wondering if its worth a go for that price?

[nas80]

I've got a good door seal u can have.

Make sure the sunroof drain pipes ain't broke n take your wings off n make surethe big drain hole isn't bloked with leaves.

[DrGonzoPOW]

I replaced the passenger door one maybe 2 years ago, if you have a drivers door one spare ill buy that from you please mate!
The problem i have with the sunroof is, as far as i know its not factory fitted. Im told the factory ones go up and slide back. Mine just goes up and down. Ive tried locating the drain holes before and even removing it but i just cant figure it out. Never knew they had big drain holes behind the wings ? Is it an easy job taking them off ?
I need to get it sorted cuz i can spend loads of money, time and effort on this engine swap but i still wont be able to drive the dam thing in the rain!

[murran]

you've got a glass after market sun roof if i remember right? wont have the drain holes of the factory roof.

do what mark said and strip all the shit out of it then sit in it while its raining till you spot it.

[nas80]

on that breaker I had I took a wing off there's a big hole there that looked like it was supposed to be there. u can take one of the front speakers out there should be a big hose pipe there.

I have a sunroof n its tilt n slide like.

I have a door seal sadly can't remember which side.

u can have it free dude no worries.

[DrGonzoPOW]

Cheers Nas thats very good of you!
Its a metal aftermarket sunroof. If it doesnt have drain holes aint having a sunroof a problem!!? The main parts that get wet are the glovebox and the footwells so im guessing it runs down the back of the firewall somewhere. As for the boot, thats always been ok until i looked in today and there was about an inch of water collected at the back. Are are the light seals the main cause of this ?

[nas80]

sit in car n get someone to pour some water in the gutter where the wiper mech lives. see if it comes through.

[drjim]

If it's in your glovebox I would suspect the windscreen seal and possibly the dreaded rust in the windscreen surround.

I have a box with a pair of door seals in, so far as I know they were OK, or I could take the one off the slug and swap it for your knackered one, bit of a leak isn't a problem on a stripped track car.

[DrGonzoPOW]

Rust under the windscreen is what im dreading! Thanks Jim, but dont worry about getting rid of good gear if your using it. The door seals dont look too bad. I replaced the passenger door a while back and the drivers only has a small tear in the bottom.
Not sure what the best route to take is. Maybe i should order a new windsreen and boot seal and just take it to a body shop?? I need to get those dirty mud guards off and probably repair and spray the arches at the same time.

[DrGonzoPOW]

I got hold of a windscreen seal. Has anyone ever fit one themselves and have a write up or is it best to get it done at a shop with proper glues ?