Water in boot

[mudmonkey]

Currently trying to trace the dreaded water in boot problem.

So it started when I checked the battery and found it sat in an inch of water. The sponge holding the roof hydraulics was also sopping. After drying it all out I proceeded to remove the trim panels in the boot to try and trace the leak.

I've read through a bunch of associated threads and checked the common culprits - the air vents, the light seals and the boot seal.

The light seal on the right side was definitely a problem - clearly the light had been removed at some point and carelessly been replaced without even attempting to seat the seal.

The left side wasn't as bad, although it wasn't sat correctly either.

I removed and reseated both light seals correctly.

I placed a bunch of chalk around all the common problem areas, dried everything out and left the trim out to monitor.

Now the weird thing is, related to the left compartment below the light, I checked this morning before going to work - completely dry. Drive to work, it wasn't raining at all, and when I got to work it was full of water.

None of the chalk marks around the lights, vents or boot seal have been disturbed.

So it seems water is being trapped somewhere and getting shifted into this area when I drive.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Any ideas?

 

[Pondrew]

I have seen mention of excess water getting into the 'rails' below the boot floor, then sloshing back and into the boot.

I had an inch of water in my latest E89's boot floor when I got it. Dried it all out and it has been dry since. I put mine down to over-zealous use of a pressure washer when cleaning by previous owner. I also noticed that the soft close on the boot sometimes doesn't 'catch' if the boot is closed too heavily, as it 'bounces'. I have educated the wife on that (with threats of domestic abuse).

A good dose of silicone-based stuff on all the rubber seals can help aswell. If they dry out too much, they become stiff and can let water by. Lichen will also grow on the seals if not maintained regularly, this can push the seals out by enough to let water in IMO.

 

[mudmonkey]

Interesting about water collecting in the rails below, how could it make it's way into the boot from there?

Do you have a link to a thread where this is discussed please?

 

[Chippie]

I think there’s a few points in the link below
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1911310&hilit=Water+chassis#p1911310

 

[mudmonkey]

Thank you, much appreciated