broken weather stripping around windows. Leaking?

lordshin808 · #1 05-04-2016, 02:54 PM

anyone else having this problem on their older E70? mine is a 2007 and the rubber pieces are so brittle they just fall off. Is this reason why there's water in my rear carpet during heavy rain? I've already replaced the butyl tape on the door vapor barriers.

bmrboi2 · #2 05-05-2016, 08:22 AM

Could be but doubtful. 99.9% of my BMW water leaks have been because of a sunroof leak or a roof antenna leak. Have you ever waxed the vehicle? Every time I do which is almost every 1-3 months using a heavy, generous coat of carnuba wax (mothers) I give all of the rubber gaskets including the windscreen and sunroof a good once over. This keeps my seals soft and pliable. I had this problem with the seals cracking on my E36 and E46. But not on my newer ones. I am assuming this is around the back door windows? Sorry if that is or isnt helpful.

Arby1028 · #3 05-05-2016, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmrboi2

I give all of the rubber gaskets including the windscreen and sunroof a good once over.

What are you using on the gaskets? NAPA Sil-Glyde or something similar?

bmrboi2 · #4 05-06-2016, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arby1028

What are you using on the gaskets? NAPA Sil-Glyde or something similar?

I use the regular carnuba wax on the seals with a separate applicator (the black gets on the applicator). Over time they will take on a nice low gloss luster and IMHO will last longer and not crack. Through years of doing this on all my vehicles, I have never had an issue and my seals look new. The one seal around the rearmost window is a different rubber material and has proven more resilient to waxing but with clever wiping skills it all looks consistent.

lordshin808 · #5 05-05-2016, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmrboi2

Could be but doubtful. 99.9% of my BMW water leaks have been because of a sunroof leak or a roof antenna leak. Have you ever waxed the vehicle? Every time I do which is almost every 1-3 months using a heavy, generous coat of carnuba wax (mothers) I give all of the rubber gaskets including the windscreen and sunroof a good once over. This keeps my seals soft and pliable. I had this problem with the seals cracking on my E36 and E46. But not on my newer ones. I am assuming this is around the back door windows? Sorry if that is or isnt helpful.

if you don't think it's causing the leaks, what is the purpose of these window strips? noise dampers? They're definitely broken and i'm wondering if i should fix it.