318ti.org forum

Go Back   318ti.org forum > Technical, Maintenance and Modifications > Exterior

Notices

Exterior From spoilers, lights to body kits and window problems.

.
» Recent Threads
1999 M-Sport For Sale
12-31-2023 05:10 PM
Last post by Coop540iT
03-23-2024 06:39 PM
1 Replies, 100,124 Views
Once again 318ti owner...
03-20-2024 12:39 PM
Last post by two30grain
03-22-2024 02:04 PM
1 Replies, 63,036 Views
What brakes do I...
03-20-2024 03:27 PM
Last post by huirtera
03-20-2024 03:27 PM
0 Replies, 60,270 Views
Reply Share/Bookmark
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-20-2010, 06:43 PM   #1
jac_buffalo
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: boston, ma
Posts: 15
iTrader: (0)
Default Water Leak in Roof on California Top

I Have a '97 ti with the California top. Just this past year there's been a leak when it rains and I'm not sure where it is coming from. The post in between the windshield and driver's side window gets damp. Lately, the water has been dripping from the bottom of the post near the dash. It's been frustrating to say the least.

I've looked at the seal to the windshield. Everything looks good, the same as the other side that is not leaking. I've checked the seal around the door. Nothing stood out as out of place there. There is a channel that runs around the California top that I can't tell where it drains to. Maybe the drain on the driver's side is plugged, but I don;t know where to check.

Any ideas? Has anyone else had a leak in this area?
jac_buffalo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2010, 11:31 PM   #2
96cali
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Saint Paul, MN
Posts: 3,244
iTrader: (1)
Default

short answer- yes, lots of discussions on this. Search and you will find lots of info. Its likely plugged drains or the seal is leaking around the top itself.
__________________
My Former Rides
1999 318ti Alpine White, Cali Roof, Dinan goodies
1996 318ti Hellrot California Edition

96cali is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2010, 06:17 PM   #3
street_fighter
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Bulgaria
Posts: 17
iTrader: (0)
Default

hi jac,so i will tell you what you can do...
FIRST: you have to remove side trims...be very careful because they have a very thin lugs and you can brake them very easy.
SECOND: you have to remove the sun visors and the center lapm( just pull it down,it's easy)
THIRD: Remove the front left and the front right panels ( for the hand).Just unskrew
this should be enough to pull down just a litlle bit down the back side of the roof and to see if the drains are not in the proper place.
It's not so dificult as it seems try it
street_fighter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2013, 02:45 AM   #4
bmwallday
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 37
iTrader: (0)
Default

Sorry for reviving this old tread but I'm getting this same problem, would I see the drain coming from the drain hole of the california top railing? (i.e. I pour water and it should stream out somewhere visually?)

I haven't had time to look it into this... it just started raining and I'm getting leaks at both front A-pillars going down to the footwell (more leak on the driver side compared to the passenger).

AND I have 2 additional leaks from the rear where the back seats A pillar connects to the headliner roof top. (not sure if this is due to the cali top tho)

Quote:
Originally Posted by street_fighter View Post
hi jac,so i will tell you what you can do...
FIRST: you have to remove side trims...be very careful because they have a very thin lugs and you can brake them very easy.
SECOND: you have to remove the sun visors and the center lapm( just pull it down,it's easy)
THIRD: Remove the front left and the front right panels ( for the hand).Just unskrew
this should be enough to pull down just a litlle bit down the back side of the roof and to see if the drains are not in the proper place.
It's not so dificult as it seems try it
bmwallday is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2013, 05:33 PM   #5
1996 328ti
Senior Member
 
1996 328ti's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 9,356
Vehicles
iTrader: (1)
Default

The drains go down to the chassis.
You should see some louvered holes in the chassis rails from what I remember.
They get clogged with leaves.
__________________
...steven
BMW CCA #146825
1996 BMW 328ti • 2003 MINI Cooper S • 2016 M235i
www.bmwcca.org
1996 328ti is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Help: water leak! PapayaSF Engine 13 11-11-2009 03:32 AM
Water leak... 713bmw318ti Interior and ICE 3 03-16-2009 11:40 PM
Water leak 95TiClubSport Exterior 4 02-03-2006 04:46 PM
Roof Rack on California Roof 318ti? neatspeed Miscellaneous 11 01-12-2005 10:26 PM
california sunroof water leak james tracy Exterior 7 09-15-2004 01:16 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:20 PM.


.
Powered by site supporters
vBulletin Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©1999 - 2024, 318ti.org
© vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2
[page compression: 75.94 k/88.47 k (14.16%)]

318ti.org does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information or products discussed.