Wet foot well, E46 tourer

[Zead]

Not the most exciting title but it's driving me crazy. The rear foot well is soaked, but I cannot find where on earth water has got in. Is it common, or even not so common problem. We haven't been flooded or driven through flood, all door seals and sunroof seem fine.

This leads me to the next problem, drying it out. The carpet is bonded to the sound deadening and is nigh on impossible to take out without removing the whole interior and then some.

Ideas, thoughts, gratefully received, cheers, Z

[phelix]

Check the bottom of the door card for dampness or water stains. May well be that the membrane underneath the door card has come loose from the door - the glue can dry out with age or the membrane can be damaged if work is done on the door.

[Sticks.]

Could also be worth checking the drains at the ottom of the door are clear and the door threshold plate is properly fixed.

[Zead]

Thanks for this, checked cards and drains, all in good order. My wife has just said the kids drink bottle may have spilt. But it is so wet I still suspect a leak.

Any ideas how to dry it other than leaving a fan in it when not in use? It's starting to smell musty

Z

[4rephill]

Only drying tips I can think of for when the cars not in use other than a fan is a dehumidifier, a wet and dry vacuum cleaner or some desiccant bags to draw out the damp.

To combat the musty smell, try a can of Dettol neutra air "fresh air" directly on the carpets.
I had to give My car a second dose a couple of weeks after the first, but since then the cars smelt great.