Boot Water Ingress - The journey of roof motors, hydro pump and seals

[warmasice]

I know that gut-wrenching feeling which is why I replied straight away last night! I couldn't find this information anywhere, but now that we have all this one place it will help others in the future.

I'd recommend you purchase 5 or 6 of these Poundland dehumidifiers to soak up any residual moisture and to speed up the drying process over the course of a week or two. Do this before you button all the trim pieces back up:


On another note, I made some adjustments to the roof (in addition to a few other things) and now have zero squeaks or rattles. The car feels solid and an absolute pleasure to drive! I've went from feeling dejected about the whole thing to being absolutely over the moon! I'm so pleased the end in sight for you now.

By the way, the two rubber gaskets on the nearside boot floor (by the vent) can be removed to help water drainage while you're driving around trying to shift the water (although you probably haven't got much left now, so tissue is fine). They're safely above the exhaust heatshield and can be removed to aid water drainage - I did contemplate leaving this off as a preventative measure for the future, but left them in place in the end. There's no way water can come up through there either.

 

[Webless]

Thanks so much, yes I felt completely at the end of my tether and going rapidly from a car I have enjoyed for years to thinking that’s it now.... apart from very occasionally wishing I had more boot space or roof rack (not sure i trust the boot lid suction cup racks) it’s been the perfect car all these years.

I really do appreciate the help and likewise want to do all I can to share as it can be tough going when things like this happen.

Good call on the damp absorbers, I was thinking the same and have two of these at the moment, they can be reused so I intend to leave one permanently between the battery and red terminal box. The other maybe in the shelf behind the seats or even in the long storage/cabbie tray.

We should be getting plenty of rain over the coming week so I will check for any other signs, the main boot seal is def one to check although no signs of it feeling brittle despite the age.

A couple of weeks back I also ordered a custom fit cover from specialised covers, will post on here when it arrives and is fitted, this will also keep the barrage of tree pieces the car is subjected to on the driveway when it’s windy.

Thanks again, one thing this experience and forum has taught me is there are a lot of good people out there, willing to give up their time just to help out

 

[clarker63]

Webless, for clarity, its not the rubber seal that goes brittle, it's the sealer underneath. then water starts coming in around it as.my picture shows. Just keep an eye out in case. Both my 2009 and 2014 z4s had that problem...Once you know where to look its easy to spot. It drips directly onto the electronics on the offside which is expensive to fix. Looking in the boot for water ingress is something we all should do on regular intervals.. just as we do for tyre pressure or oil levels. Unfortunately it hides under the trim and mostly its out of sight, out of mind.. but the number of people on the forum with similar problems shows its a common issue.

 

[Chippie]

I had the same issue with the sealant under the rubber seal above the boot, I removed the rubber and cleaned all the old sealant off and replaced with black silicone between the rubber and the body, luckily I found the water in the storage box well away from the electrics and the roof motor, I would definitely recommend checking around the battery and pump every month or so

 

[Webless]

Ah I think I follow, so when the glue goes off water can then find it’s way underneath and then routes round to the ends, only to fall into the boot corners ?

So perhaps it’s best I strip this and refit with the non setting sealant - just to be sure as the odds of this 2010 being ok are remote by the sounds of it.

 

[Webless]

One question, do you guys have a gap here? I replaced all the seals, boot was in maintenance mode but being stupid I didn’t take a before shot.

 

[Chippie]

I’m bedridden at the moment with a bad knee so can’t check but it does look odd

 

[warmasice]

One question, do you guys have a gap here? I replaced all the seals, boot was in maintenance mode but being stupid I didn’t take a before shot.

Perfectly normal. Water runs into the gap then along boot seal channel. It then drains behind the rear lamps.

 

[Webless]

Ah ok thank you, I thought I had fitted it correctly, it’s a sponge like seal which wedges into the hole so not the snap-fit like the others.

 

[Webless]

So update after some more rain today. Drove car in short route and hardly any water on the tissue this time when I got back it hammered down with rain for a couple of hours. Just checked (now rain has stopped) no signs of any leaks, the main boot seal with the glue issues I cannot see or feel any water anywhere so that seems to be ok at the moment, will continue to check and of course after a decent drive in the rain.

Now I did find a small pool of water here and you can see a little corrosion in this area

 

[flybobbie]

I've learnt something, that black thing should have a cap on it, mine hasn't.

 

[Webless]

Load up a photo of you can, be good to see what it is

 

[Chippie]

One question, do you guys have a gap here? I replaced all the seals, boot was in maintenance mode but being stupid I didn’t take a before shot.

Just checked mine and there’s definitely no gap, looks like a soft rubber/foam piece that’s there.

 

[Webless]

Ah ok thanks, so I need to pull it back a little. Thanks for photo, much appreciated

 

[RobbiZ4]

One question, do you guys have a gap here? I replaced all the seals, boot was in maintenance mode but being stupid I didn’t take a before shot.

I'd say, that is ok on your car.

Have a look at the following example:


There are indeed constructive gaps.

 

[Webless]

Ah ok thanks, I messed up by not taking good enough before photos (or just doing one at a time) but I think I have this right...

Massive downpour of rain yesterday, checked last night an no signs of any leaks - will check again this morning but looks like no water getting in when stationary. Will continue checking the “frame-drain” over next week or two.

When I found a little water (most recent photo) I have put some tissue to see if perhaps it’s coming up through the grommet.

 

[Webless]

Ok folks - cover arrived today from Specialised Covers. Another layer in the strategy to ensure I’m keeping water out but more importantly for me are the gazzilion pieces of tree and leaves the car gets dumped with when it’s wet and windy.

Gotta say I’m pretty chuffed with it, perfect fit and comes with straps with covered connectors. I’m still monitoring the for any signs of water getting into the boot. Next job is to remove the main boot seal, clean up the old glue and refit with non-setting sealant. Pics will follow when time and weather line up.

 

[Anonymous]

I use one of those too..FAB..just make sure your car is dust n dirt free before putting it on!

 

[Webless]

Thanks yep just did a snowfoam, wash and light touch dry before it hammered down with rain - again !!

Might need to trade in the Z for a boat at this rate

I had a cover like this years ago for a Lotus, this one seems a notch up so materials have improved a bit.

 

[Webless]

Hi Folks, Just an update. I am still (some weeks later) getting water out of the frame rails. The kitchen towel placed in each corner is still soaking it up. So as expected, it takes time but I'm in no major rush. I will post on here when it seems to dry up as this may help others get a feel for the timeline it takes.

Just a side note, I went to ARP Auto Rust Prevention and posted a thread here....

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=129633