Author Topic: water leak (Read 4286 times)

ClassicSkril · « **on:** December 09, 2010, 06:53:29 PM »

I recently replaced my trunk seal because it had some rips in it. Bought a replacement one off of pelican parts. Now it leaks. there is actually water between the trunk lid and seal. anyone had this issue? normally a new seal doesnt do this so idk

monty23psk · « **Reply #1 on:** December 09, 2010, 10:17:55 PM »

The seal has an inside and outside side to it. Make sure it is not installed backwards. The seal is offset a little so that the seal makes contact with the trunk lid. Look at it at eye level and you will see the difference. Hope that helps.

ClassicSkril · « **Reply #2 on:** December 09, 2010, 11:15:34 PM »

ok I will give that a try, remove it and try putting it on reverse from how it is now. thanks for the tip I will post my findings here

monty23psk · « **Reply #3 on:** December 10, 2010, 05:29:04 PM »

Quote from: ClassicSkril;99479

ok I will give that a try, remove it and try putting it on reverse from how it is now. thanks for the tip I will post my findings here

Anytime, hope it works. It got me the first time.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2010, 12:21:48 PM »

I'd check the little weld seam at the upper corners right behind the rear window. If it gets a bit rusty it'll twist open up the bottom lip of the trunk seal and let water drip in. Or get a flashlight and a GF/buddy/ex-wife...have them close you in the trunk & hose the car down. You'll see the leak & go from there. Hopefully they'll let you back out...

If the seam is leaking the water usually fills the driver's storage pocket & rusts both the pocket and the wheel jack. Then the jack collapses when you really need it. I pulled a rusty one from an old parts car and cranked it up just so my son could watch it collapse, he was amazed that solid steel could bend like a wet noodle.

That makes me think of some advice too. On every e30 I buy, one of the first things I do is to carefully cut the sealant out of the drains on both trunk pockets. If the seal fails, water will fill the pockets up for months on end. Then it'll rust from the inside out with little evidence from the outside of the car.

littleboyblues · « **Reply #5 on:** December 11, 2010, 02:36:40 PM »

Looks like i have some of that going on. Didn't notice where it was coming from. Just that everything in both the pockets was rusted all the way through.

Thanks

monty23psk · « **Reply #6 on:** December 11, 2010, 06:04:04 PM »

The only real way to detect the leak is to get inside and have someone with a hose like Dave stated. But there is a right and wrong way to install the seal.

ClassicSkril · « **Reply #7 on:** December 13, 2010, 02:44:17 PM »

Quote from: monty23psk;99534

The only real way to detect the leak is to get inside and have someone with a hose like Dave stated. But there is a right and wrong way to install the seal.

as I stated the water was between the seal and the trunk lid. I am positive that I installed it wrong because the 2 little holes in the seal should face the trunk lid and I never made note of this. So I reversed it and am keeping my fingers crossed that this was the issue and the new seal I bought is not defective

monty23psk · « **Reply #8 on:** December 13, 2010, 10:40:02 PM »

If you get down to eye level to the seal and lid you can see the P shave of the gasket and how it seals. Hope it works out. You might need to adjust the bump stop at the end of the lid to get it tighter and maybe even the hinge portion.

Gerta318is · « **Reply #9 on:** December 14, 2010, 12:03:35 PM »

Dave - how do you fix that little weld seam? Without welding of course ...

DesktopDave · « **Reply #10 on:** December 14, 2010, 12:17:20 PM »

First I tried a few coats of rust converter (Permatex?), then a bit of black primer and some touch-up paint. That made it look better but it still leaked a little.

Finally I ran a small bead of black silicon sealant under the gasket. That did it. I'm not sure what I'll do if I have to remove the trunk gasket down the road, but it works short-term.

rjcaptsean · « **Reply #11 on:** December 14, 2010, 06:22:16 PM »

Quote from: DesktopDave;99618

First I tried a few coats of rust converter (Permatex?), then a bit of black primer and some touch-up paint. That made it look better but it still leaked a little.

Finally I ran a small bead of black silicon sealant under the gasket. That did it. I'm not sure what I'll do if I have to remove the trunk gasket down the road, but it works short-term.

Rust Converter = Naval Jelly. Just another name for it.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #12 on:** December 14, 2010, 08:04:23 PM »

Likely right. It was far more convenient in a spray can than jelly, that's for sure. Maybe just a different formulation of phosphoric acid?. Or possibly Coca-Cola?

ClassicSkril · « **Reply #13 on:** December 16, 2010, 07:12:25 PM »

flipped the seal and it still gets water in between the seal and trunk lid. I adjusted the bumper things but i doubt it will help

monty23psk · « **Reply #14 on:** December 16, 2010, 10:26:51 PM »

If you have the seal the correct way, and it stilll leaks, then your lid is bent or you need to adjust the closing of it. This requires, the bump stops, and hinges themselves. That was the last thing I did on mine to get it bone dry. Also, the catch for the lid needs a little adjustment. See if you can see another e30 to make sure you have the seal the right way. Also, if you close the lid and are inside the trunk, you should not see any light, but if the seal was backwards you would.