Z3 A Pillar Leak Repair Advice Please

[MikeP]

Hi,
I have the dreaded leak around the plug in the top of the nearside A pillar .
I have read a number of posts here on sealing up the plug with silicone which all seems straightforward but I have a number of queries .......

There are numerous comments on making sure that the drain is clear - is any water that collects in the top gutter "A" supposed to drain out via the hole "B" and then down the outside of the window or is there an actual drain running down the inside of the door seal "C"?

I have tried poking around with a length of plastic cord from a garden strimmer but don't seem to be able to find any route down in the direction of "C"

If there is a drain running down inside the door seal "C" would I be better removing the top plug altogether to clean out this area and if so are replacement plugs still available as I suspect I will have to resort to using long nosed pliers to extract the existing plug?

Whilst looking for my leak I also noticed that I have a very small gap (less than 1mm) between the top of the A pillar seal and the end of the front seal on the hood.
Any suggestions on solving this?

I can see that it is possible to adjust the tension on the hooks that pull the hood down but I am a little reluctant to do this as the clamps already feel pretty tight.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[2025Z3]

I had a gap between the roof and the top of the A pillar like you described. It was most noticable from the inside of the car, as you could see light from outside through it. The solution I've seen online and what I ended up doing was to use black RTV to build up a layer over the sunken in plug below where you marked B on your first picture, and it has sealed up the car nicely.

 

[Harris]

Hi,
I have the dreaded leak around the plug in the top of the nearside A pillar .
I have read a number of posts here on sealing up the plug with silicone which all seems straightforward but I have a number of queries .......

There are numerous comments on making sure that the drain is clear - is any water that collects in the top gutter "A" supposed to drain out via the hole "B" and then down the outside of the window or is there an actual drain running down the inside of the door seal "C"?

I have tried poking around with a length of plastic cord from a garden strimmer but don't seem to be able to find any route down in the direction of "C"

If there is a drain running down inside the door seal "C" would I be better removing the top plug altogether to clean out this area and if so are replacement plugs still available as I suspect I will have to resort to using long nosed pliers to extract the existing plug?

View attachment 364263

Whilst looking for my leak I also noticed that I have a very small gap (less than 1mm) between the top of the A pillar seal and the end of the front seal on the hood.
Any suggestions on solving this?

View attachment 364265

I can see that it is possible to adjust the tension on the hooks that pull the hood down but I am a little reluctant to do this as the clamps already feel pretty tight.

View attachment 364267

Any advice would be much appreciated.

My understanding is that A and B drain down C which comes out of the plastic near the door hinges.