[Mmangone]

I've pinpointed the cause of my water egress: the bottom left fastener hole on the inner door skin. Typically, water egress is a failed vapor barrier, but, in my case, it's that hole which is never covered by any barrier-- just the fastener's foam washer.

I replaced the fastener with a new fastener with the new type of foam washer, but water sprayed against the bottom section of the window frame causes the water to trickle out of the same spot.

I made a ring of butyl tape, and I used that instead of the washer, and it is holding back the water.

However, now that I can monitor the amount of water leaving the leading drain hole, I'm shocked. It's a lot.

I've never heard of the door window weather seals failing, but it's either that or the routing for the water is wrong-- I assume it should be traveling along the inside portion of the exterior metal skin, but for it to have been exiting the fastener hole, it must have been washing down the inside portion of the interior metal skin.

So: has anyone heard of the bottom section of door window seals failing? Does anyone know the normal rate of water flow through the drain holes? Does anyone know if the water that enters the door frame should travel along the interior or exterior skin?

Thanks.

[buckhorn7]

Yes, l had that happen on my 06 330i. Prior to my ownership in 2016, some body work was done on the LF door. Discovered the carpet was wet around the pedals and traced it to the interior door panel and seals. Resealed it and stopped the leak. The car is a spare car and mostly sits in the garage now out of the rain with 67k on it.

[Mmangone]

Buckhorn7, you're saying that body work that may have messed with the foam vapor barrier and foam washers caused your leak?

I think mine has more to do with the lower piece of weather stripping on the window. It just seems like a lot of water gets into the door, and it'll eventually wash out any amount of butyl.

[whyzee125]

Originally Posted by Mmangone

Buckhorn7, you're saying that body work that may have messed with the foam vapor barrier and foam washers caused your leak?

I think mine has more to do with the lower piece of weather stripping on the window. It just seems like a lot of water gets into the door, and it'll eventually wash out any amount of butyl.

I think someone just had this the other day though IIRC it might've been the detaildomain 7 series resto on here.

If the rubber seal doesn't appear physically deteriorated, my guess is that it's normal. I've always been surprised by how quickly water can flow and build up when entering a small space but the drains at the bottom of the door should be dumping it outside of the lower door seal and essentially onto the kick panels if I'm not mistaken.