[Macman45]

My E90 has an issue where with heavy rainfall will be damp on the driver footwell, near the base of the dead pedal. I've tried hunting it down through the cowl and fender, blasting water from a hose all around it and can't see the water leak in.

But after the storms in the south the water is back, car reeks of mildew and the floor is damp again.

Where all should I look for this leak? Haven't pull the door panel to see about the vapor guard, but no sure that would generate water down to the dead pedal.

[feuer]

Sun roof drains clogged up.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by feuer

Sun roof drains clogged up.

This.

[Macman45]

Appreciate the ideas. Headliner is dry. I've deduced it's most likely coming from the firewall. Is there drain channels under the fender?

[ptpending]

headliner will be dry because drains are not solid, but clogged near outside
there are drains under fender near a-pillars, but their are much wider

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Macman45

Appreciate the ideas. Headliner is dry. I've deduced it's most likely coming from the firewall. Is there drain channels under the fender?

There are drains in the cowling in front of the fire wall on each side of the car under the hood (in between the base of the windshield and the fat rubber gasket that seals off the engine compartment. The drains have grates over them to catch large debris such as leaves. The grates are removable for cleaning. The sunroof drain tubes drain into these same channels, which then drain out under the front fenders near the front doors. Based on the design, I can't see water coming in through the cowling, unless the windshield was replaced and not properly sealed.

Best guess is the sunroof drains are clogged. Only other possibility is the front door drains (slots in the bottom of the door) are clogged and not draining down over the door sill.

[Meeni]

Drains from the sunroof clogged
Vapor barrier in the door not glued correctly
Drains from under the hood full of junk

Don't wait, this may cause mayhem with costly electrical parts. Needs to be fixed asap.

[Macman45]

Tore into it and found the grates clogged. Should be the ticket. Thank you!

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Macman45

Tore into it and found the grates clogged. Should be the ticket. Thank you!

Wow, I find that incredible. The depth of the drains to the level of the air intakes under the cabin air filter is several inches (I'm guessing at least 3.5 inches). The drains in your car must have been completely clogged. I'd be concerned that the air quality sensor is now ruined.