Water leaking in, any advice for fix?

[mkIIIman089]

Hi everone, I have a question for those experienced with water leaking in through the back of the car. It's been raining for the past week here and recently I noticed some water coming in from the back of the car, as well as water pooling up in the plastic interior trim piece on the bottom of the hatch.

I have tail light seals ready to go in which hopefully will fix some of the water coming in from there, I pulled off the inspection door near each headlight and the studs that hold the housing to the body look fine, however the stud just benieth them looks heavily rusted on both sides. Is this the tail light or some kind of trim leak?

As far as the hatch goes, the water is clearly coming from the center of the plastic indicating the wing would be leaking. When I looked up in to the hatch though the studs and surrounding metal looked dry and the only trace of water was in front of them. (towards the front of the car) If this a wing leak or something different? Is it possible for the window trim to leak?

Also, can someone link me to the EPC page that includes the tail lights? I can't seem to find it, only the one with the center piece.

Thanks!

 

[mkIIIman089]

hmm... maybe I should have named it "WaTeR LeaKY?????????????" would have gotten more attention...

 

[Sl1dewaysSupra]

I would say check your seals for the wing, see if the hatch is aligned right and chech the trim that goes around the rear windows.

 

[Mr.PFloyd]

that rear trim at the very bottom of the window! fo you lift up your trunk and water goes in? or what? also the taillights will leak baaad.

 

[supra90turbo]

Check the following:
Hatch seal- If it's ripped, torn, disfigured in any way, water will come in.
Wiper arm grommet- Mine was very dry and hard, and from what I can tell, would allow water past it.
I had the same effects as you, I took off the trim piece up there, and it's clearly on the hatch, not the taillights... although those may leak also.
On a rainy morning, after sitting overnight, I would back out of my driveway slowly and watch about 1 cup of water come out of the hatch mysteriously, and this was without that interior piece.

Good luck. It's a pain. I tore my car down before I solved the problem, so I didn't find the exact cause... These ideas will start you in the right direction, though.

 

[NDBoost]

Hate to be the obvious one but. http://losgutierrez.tripod.com/images/Friends & Family/Chris/Chris-&-rain-coat.jpg

 

[mkIIIman089]

My hatch seal is ripped in several different places... more like little chunks taken out of it. The inside of the seal is bone dry though so even though I will replace it when I can its not leaking right now I don't think.

When I open the hatch no water pour out since its not a very large amount... yet, I only looked because I saw the latch was wet, and since its behind the seal I figured I would check under that plastic piece. I looked as carefully as I could to see if it was coming in from the wing but the only wet components I saw appeared to be in front of where the wing rests on the hatch. Indicating to me it is more likely the window trim. My wiper arm grommet looked very healthy and was dry as a bone, so its not that either I don't think.

Looking at the EPC, that window trim interlocks at the corners, correct? Do I need to take off the corners before I can get to the main pieces? Another thing is I am totally broke (like thats something new) so is it necessary to replace the trim or can I use some silicone and seal it off? (seems it would work fine without having disassembling it yet.

The tail lights must be leaking, I checked out the gaskets and they basically looked like they were discinigrating, luckily I have new ones to replace them with. Too bad my tail lights are full of mold too though...

 

[JonoTurbo]

To get the lower trim off, undo the 4 or so nuts holding it in, then pop one end up(it has plastic tabs on the ends) and slide it out of the corner, then the other end is easy.

I ran silicone around all of the bolts on the trim, however, that along with all new seals has yet to stop my leak.

 

[mkIIIman089]

Hrm... thats kind of discouraging but I have to give it a shot anyway!

 

[Suprastic]

Actually the lower rear window trim shouldnt have anything to do with the leak. I took off all my trim when I restored my car, and notice that under that trim is just hatch. If its leaking it'll be through the window urethane, in which case you have to reseal the window. I put my old trim back on and sealed up all spoiler pieces, moulding holes, and rear wiper with window urethane. I also shaved my rear antenna, and I have no leaks anymore. I used to get a full spare tire well full after one night of rain.

 

[JonoTurbo]

Actually the lower rear window trim shouldnt have anything to do with the leak. I took off all my trim when I restored my car, and notice that under that trim is just hatch.

There is hatch under the trim, but there are bolts which attach the trim along the bottom that go through holes in the hatch. Water can easily leak through those holes if not sealed correctly.

 

[mkIIIman089]

I'm going to resurect this a bit because I don't believe its the tail light seals any more (as far as water coming in from below the hatch) it would appear to be the "turbo" and "TOYOTA SUPRA" trim pieces since the water is coming in below the tail lights and the seal for them. Take a look and tell me what you think:

 

[Mr.PFloyd]

i think u have to take off your moudlings, because that is gonan be a PITA!

 

[mkIIIman089]

Yea, I'm linking those studs to the center lisence plate piece; kind of answers my question as to why all of the cars I looked at for my buddy were falling apart right there. They were all rotted through at the studs.