Mark, I have a 97 Z3... w similar crack in the butyl plastic seal... but i had no trouble plastic welding it in-place, no need to remove. i have a narrow pencil like iron with chiseled flat spot. i heated from the metal side and fed in filler plastic from the canvas side. this filled in the gap. i also heat-inserted stainless steel reinforcement bars across the break so the repair is stronger than original. when done, i wiped across surface w RTV for good measure. zero leaks since repaired..... no need to remove - removal will make for more repair work. cheers! DocV
Mark, what @j6sph said. My prior toy was a 1982 Honda CBX that often needed hard to find parts. Members of the community who had access to a custom fix (much like you and your buddy) would guage interest, get deposits, then make a supply and split the cost. The risk-takers (you and your buddy) keep any profits you build in. Take a pole and see what the interest is.
Fantastic video! It is such a shame the sealing frame has been discontinued. I am VERY interested in the solution you alluded to for creating a new one. If I can help in any way, let me know. Also, thank you so much for the extremely kind shout-out. I'm humbled by your words... Very much looking forward to the next video!
A hybrid approach would be to remove the frame and fully laminate it in fresh fiberglass and resin. Coat the entire thing to reinforce and seal it with just some thin layers. I just got a junky Z3 and found a ton of water in my rear trunk shelf after some rain too! My top is also in decent condition but is not waterproof anymore. Good luck. And love the channel now that I'm a Z3 owner ha.
Great video. The entire series is great and as someone who has just bought one, these have been invaluable (especially the seat bushings). If you are open to video suggestions, there are 3 big tasks linked to your engine which I know are common issues - the 2 plastic coolant flanges and the DISA valve.
Was going to do the disa rebuild. Found out mine wasn't broken. I may buy a junkyard one just to do the vid. The entire coolant system is in future plans definitely. Thanks for watching and for the suggestions!
Good sir! I’ve done this job for this vehicle in the past, if you need assistance let me know, this job is insanely difficult. Purchasing a new frame or ordering one online has been a challenge, butyl tape and patience needed.
Find someone having a 3D printer to make a new frame??? Just thinking. 🙃 Again, with old cars, sometimes the cost and effort to repair is FAR more challenging than trying to find ways to avoid the issue --- like keeping the car out of the rain (also having to take care when washing the car). Sorry you are wrestling with this issue, like probably many Z3 owners are also dealing with.
Happy New Year, Walter ! Nice to hear from you. If mine wasn't my daily, I'd avoid rain and be done with it. Right now I'm good, dry season here. But summer's coming before I'm ready!
This is one of the Z3’s greatest flaws. Every Z3 leaks (or will eventually leak) through this seal and there is no perfect solution since it’s been NLA for years. I’ve decided the attempted repair is far more trouble than it’s worth and just do my best to avoid taking the Z3 out in the rain.
I can feel everyone’s pain I’m trying to restore a 97 it runs and drives but still requires a lot of work all new brakes new tires plastic items new top a little body work all new cooling system the only problem I have is finding the hoses
@@MomentofZedThat’s not a bad idea Mark. It would be slow to start, but once word spread, you & your buddy could have a bustling little side business. I’ll bet there are a lot of parts for older cars that aren’t available today 🤔
It’s amazing how common all of the z3’s problems are. Great video as always
@@MikeReimers thank you!
Mark,
I have a 97 Z3... w similar crack in the butyl plastic seal... but i had no trouble plastic welding it in-place, no need to remove. i have a narrow pencil like iron with chiseled flat spot. i heated from the metal side and fed in filler plastic from the canvas side. this filled in the gap. i also heat-inserted stainless steel reinforcement bars across the break so the repair is stronger than original. when done, i wiped across surface w RTV for good measure. zero leaks since repaired..... no need to remove - removal will make for more repair work. cheers! DocV
Appreciate that doc!
Mark, what @j6sph said. My prior toy was a 1982 Honda CBX that often needed hard to find parts. Members of the community who had access to a custom fix (much like you and your buddy) would guage interest, get deposits, then make a supply and split the cost. The risk-takers (you and your buddy) keep any profits you build in. Take a pole and see what the interest is.
Good way to go! There does seem to be interest.
1997 Z3 owner here. I have the exact same problem glad I found you. Looking forward to the solution.
Me too! 😁
Good to know you found the issue. What an insight!
Thanks! Hard part to come!
Fantastic video! It is such a shame the sealing frame has been discontinued. I am VERY interested in the solution you alluded to for creating a new one. If I can help in any way, let me know.
Also, thank you so much for the extremely kind shout-out. I'm humbled by your words...
Very much looking forward to the next video!
Thank you so much! Looking forward to your next as well!
A hybrid approach would be to remove the frame and fully laminate it in fresh fiberglass and resin. Coat the entire thing to reinforce and seal it with just some thin layers.
I just got a junky Z3 and found a ton of water in my rear trunk shelf after some rain too! My top is also in decent condition but is not waterproof anymore.
Good luck. And love the channel now that I'm a Z3 owner ha.
Thanks! Hadn't thought about that. Congrats on the new purchase and thanks for watching!
I love the Mr T part. Perfect for so many projects. 😂
I use that at my regular job too when I give the kids tests !
@@MomentofZed love it. There’s always Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer) suggesting a spelling contest.
Great video. The entire series is great and as someone who has just bought one, these have been invaluable (especially the seat bushings). If you are open to video suggestions, there are 3 big tasks linked to your engine which I know are common issues - the 2 plastic coolant flanges and the DISA valve.
Was going to do the disa rebuild. Found out mine wasn't broken. I may buy a junkyard one just to do the vid. The entire coolant system is in future plans definitely. Thanks for watching and for the suggestions!
There s a fix wich consist to ad a profile under the frame to collect the water and send it to the drain holes on the side
Aha! If you have pics/ details please send to momentofzed@gmail.com
Comments like these are why I have the best community on UA-cam!
Sounds like the best solution!
Yes i'm looking for pics but don't have it yet . I think i read they do that on later z3 .
I've sent a picture on your mail
@@Nico-pb9lq thank you so much!
Hope it goes well. Good luck. Thanks as always for the info
My pleasure! Thanks for watching!
1:38 wow i like that cupholder!
I noticed that as well!
Good sir! I’ve done this job for this vehicle in the past, if you need assistance let me know, this job is insanely difficult. Purchasing a new frame or ordering one online has been a challenge, butyl tape and patience needed.
Thank you so much!! If you know where new ones are sold, that would be huge. I can't find any!
I’ll be checking back here frequently hoping for an update! this rain in SoCal has been ruining my 97 Z3’s interior 😓 anyway thanks for the videos !
@@Ayerawn appreciate it! I'll make a decision soon. I know you folks are in your rainy season now.
Find someone having a 3D printer to make a new frame??? Just thinking. 🙃 Again, with old cars, sometimes the cost and effort to repair is FAR more challenging than trying to find ways to avoid the issue --- like keeping the car out of the rain (also having to take care when washing the car). Sorry you are wrestling with this issue, like probably many Z3 owners are also dealing with.
Happy New Year, Walter ! Nice to hear from you. If mine wasn't my daily, I'd avoid rain and be done with it. Right now I'm good, dry season here. But summer's coming before I'm ready!
I need to go looking. When I pulled out the battery to put my 98 away for the winter there was water in the trunk.
5 minutes to look; hope you find better things than I did! Thanks for watching!
This is one of the Z3’s greatest flaws. Every Z3 leaks (or will eventually leak) through this seal and there is no perfect solution since it’s been NLA for years. I’ve decided the attempted repair is far more trouble than it’s worth and just do my best to avoid taking the Z3 out in the rain.
I agree! Unfortunately as my daily I will have to deal with it sooner or later.
I can feel everyone’s pain I’m trying to restore a 97 it runs and drives but still requires a lot of work all new brakes new tires plastic items new top a little body work all new cooling system the only problem I have is finding the hoses
Radiator hoses?
@@MomentofZed all of them i have replacement plastic water pipes all of them. It’s just all the hoses.
@@Fathertimesgarage3981 which engine?
@@MomentofZed 1.9 4 banger
Awaiting your next move on this issue. Great detective work at finding the leak. Add me to the leaky fan club 😂
Obligated to make a product review vid next week, then I'll get back to it. Thank you for the kind words!
Good luck 👍
Where can I get one of those awesome shirts? :)
Coming soon!
@@MomentofZed 🔥🔥🔥
Very nice! thanks man!
Thanks for watching!
Duct tape fixes most things Mark. This, I don’t know about.
Actually, there is a guy out there in a UA-cam short who uses gorilla tape, but he's in the middle of a full top replacement, so he has better access.
PLEASE make that mold!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mark's manufacturing. Has a nice ring to it! If enough people ask, might have to.
@@MomentofZed That would be so sick! So many parts are discontinued now, sounds like a great business idea and a massive help for the community 😉
@@MomentofZedThat’s not a bad idea Mark. It would be slow to start, but once word spread, you & your buddy could have a bustling little side business. I’ll bet there are a lot of parts for older cars that aren’t available today 🤔
@earthcandleco definitely thinking about it. Not lack of desire but lack of time holding me back.