III. Trunk Compartment Area

Locating Source of Water Leak

1. At least 12 minutes should be spent during the initial hose testing, as the water may have to move through several body seams before being detected.

2. Turn water pressure on hose so that a 12" - 18" stream of water is present while hose is vertical.

3. Carpet and side panels may have to be removed to locate source of leaks.

4. Lower rear seat backs. From inside the vehicle, close the door. Using a flashlight, watch for water leaks during the hose test.






5. Slowly direct the water stream up from the deck lid to the quarter panel seam, then continue up each "C" pillar over the entire rear of vehicle. Figure 14.









6. Have assistant direct water along inner wheel well-to-quarter panel seam and spray complete underside of wheel well. Figure 15 and 16.






7. Note which area water enters the vehicle. Refer to the appropriate Inspection and Repair: A, B or C. Figure 17.
A - Rear Trunk Area
B - Weatherstrip at Deck Lid/ Flange
C - Side/Wheel Wells

8. If water is collecting in storage wells, check drain holes for debris or undercoating.

NOTE:
Do not seal up drain holes at bottom of area C.


Inspection & Repair

Area A: Inspect the rear trunk area.





1. Direct a heavy stream of water on rear combination lamps. Check to see if water is running down trunk end-panel trim or behind trim panels. Figure 18.






2. If water is running down trunk end-panel trim, pull up trunk weatherstrip and check gray sealer material. Make sure gray sealer covers the top of flange in one solid strip. Figure 19.

3. If not, add non-hardening gray body seam sealer to fill in empty spots and reinstall trunk weatherstrip. Make sure trunk weatherstrip is routed under latch striker and pressed firmly in place. Retest for water leaks.





4. If water leaks are coming from center of trim panel, remove trim panel. Direct a stream of water at rear of vehicle and pinpoint location of leak. Check for any pinholes or missing sealer. Figure 20.

5. If leak is from combination light(s) area, make sure the mounting studs are tight and assemblies are not cracked. If necessary, remove combination light(s).

6. Inspect end panel-to-quarter panel seams for missing sealer or pinholes. Also check for any perforated spot welds. Figure 20.



Area B: Inspect for water leak at deck lid weatherstrip and weatherstrip flange areas.






1. If water leaks into forward area of trunk, make sure weatherstrip is properly sealed and not leaking. Figure 21.

2. If no problems are found, check all trunk opening seams for missing sealer or pinholes. Seal any suspected areas and retest for leaks. If no problems are found, go to next step.






3. If necessary, remove rear-shoulder seatbelt mounts and inside "C" pillar trim panel(s). Remove mounting nuts. Remove rear window glass side molding. Figure 28.





4. Check condition of the rear windshield sealer in this area. Use a flashlight to find small pinholes. Check extractor side molding mounting hardware for missing or damaged sealer or gaskets. Apply sealer to all mounting points as necessary. Figure 22.


Area C: Inspect side/wheel wells.





1. Direct a stream of water along wheel well-to-floor panel seam, at bumper plug and interior of wheel well-to-quarter panel seam. Figure 23.

2. If water is collecting in storage wells, check drain holes for dirt or under coating.

NOTE:
Do not seal up drain holes at bottom of storage wells.





3. Check for any leaks at grommet and plug between the quarter panel and bumper. Examine seams for missing sealer or pinholes. Seal any suspected defects. Figures 23 and 24.