Weather stripping replacement?

[ZX-Ken]

Hello guys,

My passenger rear carpet has been getting wet whenever it rains. I searched the forum and figured it was a vapor barrier causing the problem. I took the inner door panel off and sprayed the outside window with a hose and saw water getting into the inner shell of the door and running down the gray foam (vapor barrier) in the door.

My question is this: Is water suppose to be dripping into the inner shell of the door? This made me think that the outer weather stripping below the window is faulty? Final question does anyone know a good way to remove the weather stripping? I tried prying it up the chrome trim to get to weather stripping below but it was pretty tough and I didn't want to break the piece or scratch the paint.

Anyone experience this? Thanks Ken

[bowin]

Ken,

I had a same problem too.
I read through some articles and it could be from the harden weather stripping from hot weather. They are out of shape or came out from tracks. There is a original BMW product called "Gummi Pflege",which will soften the rubber and recondition to original softness according to its description.(dealers do not carry this anymore) I bought it through Internet and I will try this to see it will stop leaking into the door panel.
While I am waiting for this product to arrive, I was looking very very closely at the bottom window weather stripping yesterday afternoon and i found in very surprise that some area of the stripping came out of its track and creates a tiny gap in between a glass and a liner. I just use my finger to realign and it seems Ok at this moment. I will test with the hose this weekend and I will let you know the result.

[jst2878]

if the vapor barrier is torn than that could be it. also the outside window trim that touches the bottom of the window could be broken. look at those two things first.

[ZX-Ken]

Originally Posted by bowin

Ken,

I had a same problem too.
I read through some articles and it could be from the harden weather stripping from hot weather. They are out of shape or came out from tracks. There is a original BMW product called "Gummi Pflege",which will soften the rubber and recondition to original softness according to its description.(dealers do not carry this anymore) I bought it through Internet and I will try this to see it will stop leaking into the door panel.
While I am waiting for this product to arrive, I was looking very very closely at the bottom window weather stripping yesterday afternoon and i found in very surprise that some area of the stripping came out of its track and creates a tiny gap in between a glass and a liner. I just use my finger to realign and it seems Ok at this moment. I will test with the hose this weekend and I will let you know the result.

Thanks Bowin, please let me know how this turns out.

Ken

[ZX-Ken]

Originally Posted by jst2878

if the vapor barrier is torn than that could be it. also the outside window trim that touches the bottom of the window could be broken. look at those two things first.

Part of the problem is definately the vapor barrier coming loose. But I'm wondering what the normal flow of water should be. Is it suppose to get into the inner door shell? (the space where the window sits when its in the down position) My gut says No because it would rust out the door, but this fancy german engineering could think otherwise

[o. l. t.]

I'd be skeptical of the sunroof drains as well, even though you say you see water coming from other areas it can travel.

[ZX-Ken]

Does anyone know the best way to remove the exterior window trim? Ie the chrome or black depending on your model? I would love to take the rubber molding out below it to be replaced.

Thanks guys
Ken

[ZX-Ken]

Originally Posted by ZX-Ken

Does anyone know the best way to remove the exterior window trim? Ie the chrome or black depending on your model? I would love to take the rubber molding out below it to be replaced.

Thanks guys
Ken

In case anyone else is having this problem, there are fastners at both ends of the trim. If you start from the edge and work it free by prying up you can go down the line lifting off the trim. Its snug but you only need to pull up.