Water leak into footwell - dodgy seal info and DIY repair guide (Image links dead)

ajmally100

Active Member
Oct 11, 2009
55
0
Edinburgh
I've used the silicon approach to sealing the door panels, but it has not done the trick. To be fair, it did the trick for a good while but water is coming in again. With mine, it's mainly the front. What other alternative sealants are available and how much roughly?

Cheers
 

jogo78

Guest
Last year I attempted adding the sealing cord to one of my doors as i had a nice puddle in the rear footwells.
I removed all the bolts from the carrier panel and pulled it a bit too far and snapped some clips that attached
to the window so it no longer worked. I had it fixed eventually after a couple of months (all over winter) and
gave up on doing the other doors after that bad experience.

A couple of weeks ago my car was frosted on the inside and outside and i decided to give the other doors a go.
On Saturday I did both front doors and had no problems and most importantly no floods of water after it rains
when i open the doors.

I just need to get the carpet up and dry out the sodden underlay/soundproofing now to remove the musty smell
and fingers crossed winter will be less of a nightmare for me.
 

ajmally100

Active Member
Oct 11, 2009
55
0
Edinburgh
Go for the sealant cord fix, I reckon that should last for a loooong time if fitted correctly. How long did your sealant fix last for BTW ?

Approximately a year, ish. To be fair it was going from the spring so the weather was getting better. I think I used mediocre sealant :doh:, so it is going to be fun removing it all now! hopefully it is in horrible condition and it will just come off without a fight. I think I'm going to invest in the cord. What is it like? is it sticky or rubbery? Similar to the stuff that came off?

Cheers
 

LEE69

Stage 2 Revo'd
Dec 10, 2004
21,262
74
C\UK\Devon\Torquay
The sealant will probably peel off mine did with ease.
It's on a roll and it's sticky, so make sue you get it right first time ;) it's not a foam it's an upgraded part.
 

ajmally100

Active Member
Oct 11, 2009
55
0
Edinburgh
That's what I want to hear. It was nice not having a smelly car with a frosted windscreen (on the inside) for a few months! I can't wait to have that again :funk:. Hopefully get it done this week.
 

dvance

Active Member
Mar 23, 2010
273
0
Had mine done with silicone -- lasted about 6 months. Got it done with the cord now -- seems dry for the time being, hope it stays that way! :)

Sometimes the cord can get quite sticky -- just pop it in the freezer for a wee bit, much easier to work with afterwards :)
 

ajmally100

Active Member
Oct 11, 2009
55
0
Edinburgh
I've got the sealing cord and took a few photos for reference...

e2e8a2d5.jpg


6432a180.jpg
 
Last edited:

ajmally100

Active Member
Oct 11, 2009
55
0
Edinburgh
Yeah. Its consistency is similar to blue tack, but a bit softer and stickier. I haven't had a chance to get it on the door yet but looks like it will do the part.
 

ajmally100

Active Member
Oct 11, 2009
55
0
Edinburgh
No, the panel is just bolted on from memory, but there may be some plastic rivets attached to the locking mechanism I think, but we don't need to take the whole think off so that isn't a problem. I replaced an electric window motor clip on my sisters golf and something rings a bell of that rivet.... :confused: I'll try and point it out when doing the seals again.

Page 1 of this discussion shows the door panel and all of the bolts. I can take a load of photos when I'm doing it again sure and put it on here. The info on hear is pretty good though! especially the initial post!!!
 

Kedge

Active Member
Dec 3, 2008
16
0
Need to do mine pretty sharpish. Now i've only read the guide on the 1st page and not all the subsiquent pages, what tips do people have for getting up the carpet and drying out the car?

In the past on my E30's i've used massive bags full of silicone crystals but they've not had to dry up a soaked carpet.
 

d3m0niTe

LCR 225
Jun 21, 2010
542
1
Bromley, Kent
Are you doing a new guide with lots of pictures?? :D Just reading through this thread it seems the inner panel you need to take off to fully replace the cord is riveted on? (or have I picked up incorrectly?)

A step by step guide with pictures would be amazing, my diy skills could be described as 'rudementary' at best :)
 

LEE69

Stage 2 Revo'd
Dec 10, 2004
21,262
74
C\UK\Devon\Torquay
All the info is in this thread on what to do seriously don't make it harder than it is.
The carrier panel is bolted on you remove them all except the two at the top which you just loosen.
This gives enough clearance to re-new the cord or sealant whichever route you take.

It's that easy.
 
Chris Knott Insurance - Competitive quotes for forum members