outside water leak from dash

[robsanab]

this was the first major rain I'd driven in since the seal and window was replaced (oem seal and pinkerton windshield). I was driving along on the freeway when I felt water dripping on my left foot.

I did have an occasional leak there before the restoration from my horribly dried out windshield seal. It would typically stop once the seal had swelled a bit from being wet. All the seals on the car are now new... the car was repainted with all seals off... so i know the lip around the windshield was rust free and in good shape.

The only thing I can think of is maybe the radio antenna mount???? That seal is not new and I'm not so sure how well it's attached (i think the top screw is stripped... i have to look at it closer). But I can't imagine that letting in so much water. After driving 20 minutes it was a rather steady drip coming off of some future speaker wire I have coiled up there... hence making it hard to determine just where it was coming from... it didn't soak into the new carpet but I did soak a few thick paper towels once I noticed it and pulled over to investigate.

If any of you experienced leaks from the antenna mount... how did you fix it?

Any other nooks and crannies to look in to?? (didn't notice any water coming from the hood cable opening, so that's clear)

[JackBennett]

Well, I have no leak like you describe but my antenna upper does have good threads and a small rubber washer on it so I imagine that could be your spot. I'm pretty sure I have a spare upper antenna mount with good threads that you can have if you need it. No charge. Let me know.

[c.d.iesel]

not just my experience from installations - but also

stated in the BMW Repair Manual:

you must inject window sealent between the glass and seal,

and inject sealant between the seal and body - at the lower corners,

and upper corners.

Even with new 'correct' BMW seals, and clean body openings,

the glass and seal do not fit tightly into the 4 corners.

Sure many might say they never inject additional sealent

into the corners of a new seal - but thats fine ONLY for cars

that no longer operate out in the rain.

If you want proof?, lay a garden hose running on the roof,

and lay inside the car under the dash with a flash light.

Also look closely at the INSIDE corners of the dash, and rear deck.

You might see the water coming in between the glass and seal.

It's missed sometimes because of poor light, and the water flow

blends in with the black rubber. After months of this, you eventually

see a lighter dirt streaking inside the seal corners, also from

the sun causing water streaking staining

and sure - your antenna mount will also dump lots of water

[Guest Anonymous]

I have no antenna and have the same problem, It must be the lack of sealant in the corners. Thanks for the info!

Max

[bob02]

I had a very similar experience, after i had the original windshield replaced with a Pinkerton. To my eye, the pinkerton is too radically curved in the lower corners and is not the same size as the original, causing the seal to 'shrink' inward 3+mm. The result was a lot of water in the drivers footwell.

My fix was to remove the lock bead and silicone the crap out of the lower corners on both sides(inner and outer). Still disappointed about the windshield though. Should have bought BMW glass! CD is right about the sealant! Good luck!