CA rain- help!

[Bmwdeven]

As my SoCal folks know it’s been raining quite a bit. I had my car outside for work, naturally. Timeframe was a few hours. This evening I hopped in to run some errands and noticed water had pooled in the driver side footwell, and rear section driver side…. I vacuumed the water up with the shop vac, absorbed the rest with a towel and repeated the process. Crisis averted… for now.
My question is has anyone dealt with something like this? It’s obviously not normal. For context, I do have a sunroof but did not observe water or feel moisture from the sunroof itself.

[spammysammich]

Most likely is your sunroof drains are clogged. You'll probably have to fish something down them to clear the obstruction. there are youtube videos on how to clear them.

[Bmwdeven]

Originally Posted by spammysammich

Most likely is your sunroof drains are clogged. You'll probably have to fish something down them to clear the obstruction. there are youtube videos on how to clear them.

Didn’t occur to me there were drains there. I checked the drains and the driver side was completely obstructed… thank you 🤦‍♂️

[spammysammich]

They can be obstructed up high AND down near the exit, be thorough. You're welcome. glad you have a handle on the situation.

[Bmwdeven]

Originally Posted by spammysammich

They can be obstructed up high AND down near the exit, be thorough. You're welcome. glad you have a handle on the situation.

Going to pick up some wire in the morning! Thanks for the expeditious help.

[BP709]

Sunroof drains clogged or Vapor barrier is leaking. Super easy to water test the doors. Open the door, window up, pour water with a hose down the glass for a couple minutes. If water is coming out between you’re door panel and the door you’re vapor barrier has failed (likely the buytl seal). Get a new vapor barrier, fresh buytl, remove all old buytl and install the new stuff. If this isn’t the case check sunroof drains and clean them out as others said.

[Bmwdeven]

Originally Posted by BP709

Sunroof drains clogged or Vapor barrier is leaking. Super easy to water test the doors. Open the door, window up, pour water with a hose down the glass for a couple minutes. If water is coming out between you’re door panel and the door you’re vapor barrier has failed (likely the buytl seal). Get a new vapor barrier, fresh buytl, remove all old buytl and install the new stuff. If this isn’t the case check sunroof drains and clean them out as others said.

Great addition. I’ll check that out asap. Thanks for the valuable input

[spammysammich]

3M makes butyl strips in a long roll or in a tube like caulk. Window weld

[Bmwdeven]

Update: it’s much worse than first suspected.. driver seat is out, carpet is pulled up, foam is soaked but I’ve since dried it by hand and vacuum. Have a dehumidifier going. Check those seals fellas smh.

[chief]

I changed out my door seals last year - the old ones were dried out and causing excessive wind noise (and yes, I did try the rubber conditioner over a period of time to no avail). The job is rather straight forward, as the new seals are one piece. Start in a corner and set it in by hand so that you can adjust as needed as you go all the way around the door frame. Once you like the placement, push it all down firmly and use a rubber mallet to firmly secure the corners and any tight fitting spots.

Also, I did watch a Youtube video (so now I'm an expert ) about cleaning out the sunroof drains and the guy used weed whacker plastic cord to clean out the drains from the bottom (under the car) and top (in the well for the sunroof). I liked the idea - flexible but stiff enough with no sharp ends (that's what she said ).

Good luck on getting everything dried out!

[Three Pedal Steve]

Keep an eye on your truck area also. There are expensive electronics under the carpet piece. The amp for the sound system is particularly susceptible to the moister.

[perry_dg]

I'm not sure if underneath our cars, there are channels and drain holes placed into the frame's side rails.

I'm speaking from the same experience with all the 1st Gen Miatas I've had. They would get packed with dirt/leaves, etc. and it would hold water. I would be able to hear it slosh around when driving, and it would also get up into the footwells to the carpeting.

But as mentioned by everyone else, could be something that needs to be cleared out.

[Helmsman]

Everytime I read about this I'm thinking I want to check my drains (E90 sunroof).
Is there some shields that has to come off or is the rubber draing "plug" behind the front wheel visible straight away?
(so I know whether I need to carry tools to the garage...)

[Bmwdeven]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Everytime I read about this I'm thinking I want to check my drains (E90 sunroof).
Is there some shields that has to come off or is the rubber draing "plug" behind the front wheel visible straight away?
(so I know whether I need to carry tools to the garage...)

I would check on it, it’s something you don’t give much kind to until you’re forced to. I spent 3 days drying out my carpet insulation. I was lucky to catch it immediately and not let the water settle. Eat a heater in it and wrang it out. Check out some guides on YouTube. It’s very straight forward once you’ve removed the fender liner

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by Bmwdeven

I would check on it, it’s something you don’t give much kind to until you’re forced to. I spent 3 days drying out my carpet insulation. I was lucky to catch it immediately and not let the water settle. Eat a heater in it and wrang it out. Check out some guides on YouTube. It’s very straight forward once you’ve removed the fender liner

Car's in garage, never had issues with water but thought I check the drain outlet just for the sake it it. The videos/pics I found has been on regular E90, where it seems a plastic cover needs to be removed (not fender liner though) in order to get to the drain. Anyways, will have a check, if I remember this time...

Thanks