interior leak, passenger door area.

[ben g]

Had this problem a while now. Noticed the car smelling funky after rain, so did some investigative work and couldn't find the leak.

Drive home today after leaving the car at work in torrential rain and upon pulling onto my drive, I looked over to see a dark patch on the door seal and water dripping into the cabin.

Has anyone else had the same issue? If so, any ideas how to cure it? This has been going on for a couple of years, so you can imagine how annoyed I am by it

Here's a couple of pic's to show exactly where it's dripping onto:

[The Badger]

Hiya ! yep had the very same problem the guys at my local BMW garage (not the main dealers) replaced the door membrane !

Membrane was about £30 and I think the labour was about £45/£50 sounds expensive but well worth every penny !
Because like you I was at the end of my tether !

Now its bone dry !!

Good luck

The Badger
x

[ben g]

Cheers Badger. Seems a few people have had the same issue.

I'm going to replace both door membranes first and see if that cures it. Do you have a part number?

Whats the reason for the leak then? Does water drain through the door? I thought it'd be a sealed unit.

[The Badger]

sorry I don't have a part number and please do not mix me up with somebody who knows anything about cars !!!!!!!!!! I just had the same problem as you however the guys at the garage told me that what happens is the rain runs down inside the door from the window and then the membrane stops the water entering the cabin as the car gets older the membrane breaks down or if it has had any repairs where the door card has to come off the membrane gets damaged easily (its made of weird stuff like carpet underlay) mine stopped straight away and has been bone dry ever since apart from last week when I left the window open !!!!! hope this helps - I'm going know before I sound like someone who knows what they are doing ha ha ha !!!!!! good luck

The Badger
x

[ben g]

cheers mate, honestly that's a great help! Managed to find the part numbers so i'll get those ordered and update this thread if it stops the leak and smell!

[dans6490]

Had the exact same problem recently. I removed the door card and the membrane had come away from the sealant, mine was intact so I just re-attached it. After searching on here, I also added some extra holes in the rubber seal (where you have highlighted in red) as it seems to leak water at the lowest part of the rubber, where, bizarrely there's no hole. Must admit, it felt a bit of a bodge job but someone else had done it (cant remember who) and I wanted it fixed.

[ben g]

Managed to get the door panel off. Only 4 bolts so an easy job. You can see the membrane here. It's foam and stuck down with butyl Tape? Not sure that's what it's called but someone else said it was that.



Checked it was stuck down properly and it wasn't in some area's. Mainly the area where the leak is.





Got the missus to spray the hose around the edge of the door and window and sure enough, when she got to the wing mirror area, water started to come through. There was quite a lot tbh.

Hoping a new membrane and some of that butyl will sort it. Not sure I could get away with re-using the current membrane. It seems to be pretty weak and may tear.

[sw4nny]

Had exactly the same issue. resealed membrane using bathroom sealant,
Let it dry for 48hrs before using window to ensure no residue is spread around,
Not had a drop inside in last 2 months,it appears to have really done the trick,

[ChrisZ4]

I've got this exact problem . passenger side carpet is sodden. Couple of questions.
Do BMW sell the butyl tape and is there a guide on where to put it? The membrane seems intact but is it possible to remove it without damage to refit?
If I renew the membrane do I need to disconnect the airbag?
Am I going to have to take the carpet and seat out to dry it out? If you put your hand under the carpet its like a wet sponge.
Gutted

UPDATE: I've lifted the carpet by the door and stuffed 4 socks full of silica under the carpet. I've also taped a plastic sheet to the membrane and tucked it under the door so if it rains anymore it won't flow in. I reckon it'll take days to dry out but will see how it goes. If anyone has any tips for my questions above I'd be very grateful.
Thanks
Chris

[ChrisZ4]

Update No.2. I've removed the drivers seat. Lifted the carpet and it's a complete swamp under there. I''ve wet vac'd it but it doesn't seem to have removed much so now I've propped the carpet up and set a fan dryer on it. Nightmare. Not a good experience with this car so far....

[ChrisZ4]

Ps what happens if I try to drive the car without the passenger side seat in? I guess I'll get an airbag light?

[BrianD]

Ps what happens if I try to drive the car without the passenger side seat in? I guess I'll get an airbag light?

Correct don't do it

[ChrisZ4]

Ta. Significantly dryer now anyway. I've put it back together and am taking it to the dealer I bought it from who've agreed to have a look under warranty

[PerryGunn]

If you, or anyone else, needs butyl tape it's available through Amazon, alternatively phoning around some parts departments should find some without problems - for some reason, Volvo parts depts always used to have stock of it

Someone mentioned bathroom sealant - not really a good idea, it'll work for a while as an emergency repair but it doesn't remain flexible/sticky enough over time. Butyl remains flexible and very sticky for years - you can even slice through the middle of it (lengthways) to peel back the membrane and then push it back together and it will stick to itself like sh1t to a blanket

[ben g]

My airbag light was already on so wasn't an issue for me to drive without the seat in. It felt pretty cool driving around in a 1 seater and far more practical for my carpet material collecting

Basically, my carpet was so wet that it took about 6 hours of drying it with a good quality hairdryer. Been fine since though.

Butyl Tape is on ebay for about a tenner. You get loads so one roll is enough. If you can pull the membrane away from the door without damaging it, it should be ok to re-use. I personally bought new ones though just for peace of mind.