[s-cars] Wet Trunk??

[Kent McLean]

Harold McComas wrote:
> Investigated and I have a leak in my trunk area. It seems to be 
> coming from the rear deck (below/underneath the rear window), 
> dripping on the carpet and collecting in the spare wheel well.

Three guesses:

1) The seal around the back window has failed.  Water runs
down the window, collects at the bottom of the window, finds
its way past the seal, then leaks into the trunk.

2) It could be the rubber seal for the trunk is not sealing.
Check that it is not brittle, loose, torn, etc.  But since
the trunk is protected by a channel/lip that directs water way
from it, I'd say #1 is more likely.

3) Another typical source is the seals around the rear lights.
But you feel the leak is up under the rear window, so this is
least likely in your case.

When this rain stops (in NH, forecasted for next Tuesday!), dry
the area out real good, sprinkle talcum powder (or spray a foot
powder) around the suspected areas inside the trunk, then pour
water around the suspected areas from outside.  Try to keep the
water contained to the area being tested. Try the seals around
the rear lights first, keeping water off the trunk as much as
possible. Let the water drain off, open the trunk, and check the
talc/powder for traces of water.  If it's dry, move on up to test
the trunk seal. If it's dry, test the seal around the rear window.

--
Kent McLean
'94 100 S Avant, "Moody"
'89 200 TQ, "Bad Puppy" up in smoke
'56 Austin-Healey 100 BN2, for sale