Anyone here? Anyone driving E21s?

[BG]

Autumn is here with cool dry weather. My 1981 is running really nicely. I think the thermo time switch, warm-up regulator, and other weird Bosch engine control devices don't function properly in 90+ deg. F Mississippi summers. They think the engine is already warm.

Does anyone have blasted leaks in the trunk when it rains? I can't figure out where the water is getting in.

[glotman]

yeah, I'm still driving one. with a leaky trunk. the rubber seal is dry rotted, and has some chunks missing. Thats one source of leaks. A bad seal around the rear window, likewise. A less likely but also possible cause is if the drains for the sun-roof are leaky.
Geoff

[gofast88635]

Still driving........havent checked this post for awhile. Wish I knew how to post pictures as my 1981 received new paint with everything off the car cept engine! My frickin trunk finally quit leaking. I had tried everything, new trunk seal, new tail light seals, re adhesived everything, was so frustrated I took a can of that black tar stuff and sprayed trunk sides, wheel well, flooring.........so anyway, the new paint job solved it. Could never figure out where it was coming from. Had a new seal in rear glass also.

[jrlltmb2003]

yes my trunk leaks i think its the crappy seal thay used,i have a 81 320 and it does run better in the cold,i also drive a 84 528e and a 95 840ci so thay all have wierd things that happen to um

[TJ]

Old trunk seals shrink and then the water gets under the seal and runs over the steel lip since it isn't as high as the seal itself. As a quick fix I cut a strip out of my seal at the side to make a channel for the water to run down. Taillight gaskets can also leak but as long as the gasket is still in one piece some silicone should take care of it.

[BG]

Thanks everyone. It looks like old BMWs leak in the trunk! I've already tried all the normal suspects:
1. New rear window gasket
2. New gaskets around the tail lights and the side marker lights
3. New trunk gasket.
The latter is trouble because I've had rust trouble under the gasket. I've had to pull up sections, scrape the rust, use phosphate primer, paint, and then reseal the gasket. I'm probably just not gluing it down right. I'll keep checking.

[Joe Ira]

Here is a solution to water in the trunk. When My '82 died 3 years ago the tow truck guy tore a hole in the spare tire well by trying to tow the whole care by that little loop welded to the bottom! I'm putting the new engine in and painting it this winter, most likely will fix the hole then have water probs again, But for now it is dry/drained.