Water ingress into sub boot

[spon88]

I've been checking the sub boot of my M3P periodically for moisture and no issues so far.

However I got caught in some serious rain and flooding after a mountain bike session in north Derbyshire this afternoon and the sub boot was soaking, not just the material liner but a positive puddle in the space below. I've removed the liner and it's currently indoors drying out.

I think that the flood water pushed against the under side of the car and forced its way in there. Some of the sealing looks dodgy so I'l have a go at renewing it.

So just worth checking the sub boot area if you end up navigating through flood water at any point. All other floor areas of the car seem OK

 

[Durzel]

Stupid question but by sub boot do you mean the compartment where the UMC is normally stored?

 

[spon88]

Stupid question but by sub boot do you mean the compartment where the UMC is normally stored?

Sorry, should have explained better. I meant the small compartment below the main boot. Not the frunk

 

[m3p_uk]

Sorry, should have explained better. I meant the small compartment below the main boot. Not the frunk

How do you take it out to dry it easily?

 

[spon88]

How do you take it out to dry it easily?

Velcro at the sides then there's a plastic strip next to the boot seal which unclips. Remove that. The liner is held in place under that with two plastic clips. Use a flat head screwdriver to raise the circular part of the clip and it will lift out. You can then remove the compartment liner

 

[Jeeves]

I've been checking the sub boot of my M3P periodically for moisture and no issues so far.

However I got caught in some serious rain and flooding after a mountain bike session in north Derbyshire this afternoon and the sub boot was soaking, not just the material liner but a positive puddle in the space below. I've removed the liner and it's currently indoors drying out.

I think that the flood water pushed against the under side of the car and forced its way in there. Some of the sealing looks dodgy so I'l have a go at renewing it.

So just worth checking the sub boot area if you end up navigating through flood water at any point. All other floor areas of the car seem OK

Uh, hmmm.

Whilst being most grateful for the warning, might I enquire as to the age and warranty status of your vehicle sir?

 

[elecTED]

I think that the flood water pushed against the under side of the car and forced its way in there.

So at least 6inch+ of flood water?

Or more or less?

M3s not known to cope well with deep puddles or flash flood water.

 

[davidmc]

I've been checking the sub boot of my M3P periodically for moisture and no issues so far.

However I got caught in some serious rain and flooding after a mountain bike session in north Derbyshire this afternoon and the sub boot was soaking, not just the material liner but a positive puddle in the space below. I've removed the liner and it's currently indoors drying out.

I think that the flood water pushed against the under side of the car and forced its way in there. Some of the sealing looks dodgy so I'l have a go at renewing it.

So just worth checking the sub boot area if you end up navigating through flood water at any point. All other floor areas of the car seem OK

Hi @spon88, is the compartment (Under boot area) the only area that is wet? Is there any water/wetness to the upper boot linings and sides linings of boot? The Reason is my car is in having body work carried out to the boot but for water in the boot lid itself and water getting into the main boot via the hinge bolts that hold the boot lid to the car body.

Worth a shot but my car is at Individual Specialist Cars Birmingham (0121 2362394) who are the Tesla approved body work specialist that carry out works for Tesla in birmingham. You could call them and see if they have had any M3's in the past for your type of problem? An if they have, whats the cause so you can then tell Tesla and book in for a Service Centre trip? Tesla will carry out their tests (throw a bucket of water over the back!) to see where water is getting in.

 

[spon88]

So at least 6inch+ of flood water?

Or more or less?

M3s not known to cope well with deep puddles or flash flood water.

I was near the bottom of a valley and effectively it was a flash flood. Manhole covers blowing off etc. So I got out as cautiously as I could but in places, water was possibly 6" or more. However I was out pretty quickly fortunately. I went slowly knowing the issue with the crappy rear suspension cover that disintegrates if you hit water at speed - that survived fine

 

[spon88]

Hi @spon88, is the compartment (Under boot area) the only area that is wet? Is there any water/wetness to the upper boot linings and sides linings of boot? The Reason is my car is in having body work carried out to the boot but for water in the boot lid itself and water getting into the main boot via the hinge bolts that hold the boot lid to the car body.

Worth a shot but my car is at Individual Specialist Cars Birmingham (0121 2362394) who are the Tesla approved body work specialist that carry out works for Tesla in birmingham. You could call them and see if they have had any M3's in the past for your type of problem? An if they have, whats the cause so you can then tell Tesla and book in for a Service Centre trip? Tesla will carry out their tests (throw a bucket of water over the back!) to see where water is getting in.

Hi. Thanks for that. I've never had any water ingress issues up to now (10 month old car). This event only caused problems in the compartment under the boot and all other floor areas of the car seem to be fine. It was a pretty extreme and hopefully very infrequent event. That said, water shouldn't be able to force its way in so I will raise a service request and see what they say. But my guess is that there's no way they'll be able to replicate it and hence why I might try and seal the dodgy looking seams at the base of the compartment. Build your own Tesla!

 

[Jason71]

I was near the bottom of a valley and effectively it was a flash flood. Manhole covers blowing off etc. So I got out as cautiously as I could but in places, water was possibly 6" or more. However I was out pretty quickly fortunately. I went slowly knowing the issue with the crappy rear suspension cover that disintegrates if you hit water at speed - that survived fine

same thing happened to me on Sunday. i was caught in a flash flood. me and the car in front drove though several sets of water 6" deep or more. he got away from me a bit and then I came around a corner and saw what looked like deeper water. but he was gone so figured he had gone through with no issue so I carried on. turned out he had turned off at the last minute not gone through and the water was 40-45cm (18") deep by my estimation! not something I would ever do deliberately but by the time I realised it was too late.
Got through with no issue though. no damage to report. I checked the car over very thoroughly and the only issue I found was some water in the under boot area same as you. The water was muddy so I am also convinced it came up from below the same way you reported.

 

[Jason71]

Hi. Thanks for that. I've never had any water ingress issues up to now (10 month old car). This event only caused problems in the compartment under the boot and all other floor areas of the car seem to be fine. It was a pretty extreme and hopefully very infrequent event. That said, water shouldn't be able to force its way in so I will raise a service request and see what they say. But my guess is that there's no way they'll be able to replicate it and hence why I might try and seal the dodgy looking seams at the base of the compartment. Build your own Tesla!

I don't think its the seams there are bungs in the bottom and at least one is not very tight at all. I think that is where it came in. I thought about sealing it with silicone but wondered if it is designed that way to allow moisture out. I suspect not though. I think i will seal it

 

[spon88]

I don't think its the seams there are bungs in the bottom and at least one is not very tight at all. I think that is where it came in. I thought about sealing it with silicone but wondered if it is designed that way to allow moisture out. I suspect not though. I think i will seal it

Yes, I saw your post and video before my event and it gave me some reassurance when I was navigating the floods! I saw those bungs and wondered the same. I may actually not seal anything now I'm thinking about it. These should hopefully be very infrequent events and now we have the knowledge, it's easy to check and rectify. I may however add a plastic liner in there so that any luggage doesn't get wet if it happens again

 

[Jason71]

Yes, I saw your post and video before my event and it gave me some reassurance when I was navigating the floods! I saw those bungs and wondered the same. I may actually not seal anything now I'm thinking about it. These should hopefully be very infrequent events and now we have the knowledge, it's easy to check and rectify. I may however add a plastic liner in there so that any luggage doesn't get wet if it happens again

It was intended to be a cautionary tale not an aspirational one!!!
I am hoping very infrequent. I still have PTSD from the last one
I actually lined the OUTside of that removable luggage compartment using some thick polythene and duct tape yesterday, because once that insulation on the bottom gets wet it takes days to dry out. hopefully now if I get any water in there again I can just dry it and put it straight back together. It does not look very pretty but no one will ever see it so who cares.

 

[spon88]

It was intended to be a cautionary tale not an aspirational one!!!
I am hoping very infrequent. I still have PTSD from the last one
I actually lined the OUTside of that removable luggage compartment using some thick polythene and duct tape yesterday, because once that insulation on the bottom gets wet it takes days to dry out. hopefully now if I get any water in there again I can just dry it and put it straight back together. It does not look very pretty but no one will ever see it so who cares.

Aspirational - chuckle, trust me I didn't plan it and near sh@t myself
Good point about where to apply the special Tesla plastic sheeting - only issue there is that it may not be so obvious that the bungs have passed other than it will likely get a bit mouldy and smelly. One to monitor

 

[Jason71]

Aspirational - chuckle, trust me I didn't plan it and near sh@t myself
Good point about where to apply the special Tesla plastic sheeting - only issue there is that it may not be so obvious that the bungs have passed other than it will likely get a bit mouldy and smelly. One to monitor

just to be clear I put the plastic actually on the outside of the liner bit that you remove not on the car. all it does is seal the insulation that is glued to the bottom of the liner to stop it getting wet if water does get into the well. Sounded like you thought I was lining the well itself. don't think that is a good idea for the reasons you outlined