Trunk - Water Leak Detection and Sealing
Group Ref.: BodyBulletin No.: 311504
Date: January, 1994
SUBJECT:
REAR COMPARTMENT WATER LEAKS (DETECT AND SEAL LEAKS)
MODELS:
1992-94 CADILLAC ELDORADOS AND SEVILLES
THIS BULLETIN IS BEING REVISED TO INCLUDE THE 1994 MODEL YEAR. PREVIOUS DIVISIONAL PUBLICATION NUMBERS WERE:
DIVISION BULLETIN # PUBLISH DATE
CADILLAC T-93-118 AUGUST 1993
GM OF CANADA 93-10-238 AUGUST 1993
Condition:
Some owners may experience water leaks in the rear compartment area.
Cause:
This condition may be caused by the following:
^ Distortion and/or mismatched metal on the deck lid weatherstrip flange.
^ Deck lid weatherstrip sealing voids to the weatherstrip flange.
^ Lack of compression at the deck lid weatherstrip to the leading edge of the deck lid.
^ Pin holes or skips in the sealer applications in the body seams at the following locations:
- Body seam below the back light and forward of the deck lid opening (rear shelf to quarter panel).
- Tail light opening seams.
- Tail panel seam.
Correction:
Materials needed for rear compartment leaks:
^ 3M leak detection powder, P/N 08951, or equivalent.
^ For deck lid weatherstrip sealing use 3M P/N 08302, 3M P/N 08405, or equivalent.
NOTE:
Identification of water leaks can be done by visual inspection and/or localized water test methods. In some cases it may be necessary to inspect from inside the rear compartment while water testing with a helper. Begin the water testing at the lowest possible point of water entry and work your way up to the suspected leak path. As always, water test the area again after making the repair to ensure the condition has been corrected.
1. Deck lid weatherstrip leaks (Figure 1, Views A and B)
a. The deck lid weatherstrip flange is comprised of several welded joints which are sealed with a thumb grade sealer. If these joints are not sealed properly, if they are distorted by welds (View B), or mismatched metal (View A), water leaks may result.
To correct a mismatch at the flange joint remove (by file or grinding) only the metal which stands above the adjacent flange. Apply a zinc-rich primer to the bare metal to prevent corrosion.
To correct leaks caused by weld distortion or bent flanges, straighten the metal with pliers.
Reseal the flange joints with 3M P/N 08655, or equivalent. Apply a bead of 3M P/N 08302 sealer, or equivalent, into the cavity of the deck lid weatherstrip for four to six inches on either side of the leak area and reinstall to the flange.
WARRANTY INFORMATION:
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
Labor Operation: T6740
Labor Time: 0.5 hours
NOTE:
Do not use black type sealers that remain soft or "uncured" for sealing the deck lid weatherstrip to the flange.
b. Water leaks may result due to a loss of compression to the weatherstrip at the leading edge of the deck lid. This condition sometimes occurs when the deck lid has been moved forward in the opening to achieve a better fit.
Apply 3M leak detection powder, P/N 08951 or equivalent, to the seal surface on the deck lid inner panel and close the deck lid. The transfer of powder to the weatherstrip indicates good compression; a void in the powder transfer will highlight the leak area.
To correct, detach the weatherstrip at the leading edge of the deck lid opening and reform the weatherstrip flange forward. Reseal the weatherstrip to the flange by applying a bead of 3M P/N 08302 sealer, or equivalent, into the weatherstrip cavity and reinstall to the flange.
WARRANTY INFORMATION:
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
Labor Operation: T6741
Labor Time: 0.3 hours
2. Potential body seam leak areas in the rear compartment
a. Leaks at the rear shelf to quarter panel. Refer to Figure 2.
Check the seam below the back light and forward of the deck lid opening (rear shelf to quarter panel) for pin holes or skips in the sealer. Reseal as required using 3M P/N 08302, or equivalent.
WARRANTY INFORMATION:
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
Labor Operation Labor Time
T6742 (right side) T6743 (left side)
0.9 hours 0.2 hours
b. Water leaks at the tail panel seam and around the tail light openings. Refer to Figures 3 and 4.
If a leak is detected in the tail panel seam/tail light area, refer to Section 10-8 of the Service Information Manual and remove the deck lid filler panel and tail lights. Carefully check for pin holes or skips in the sealer along the tail panel seam paying particular attention to the seal at the locating tabs. The tail light pocket on the Seville (Figure 3) and the area around the tail lights on the Eldorado (Figure 4) are potential leak areas.
Seal any detected leaks with 3M P/N 08655, or equivalent, and reinstall the filler panel and tail lights.
WARRANTY INFORMATION:
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
Labor Operation Labor Time
T6744 (right side) T6745 (left side)
0.7 hours 0.7 hours