Leaking Hatch: NOT the Taillights

[Thoughtful_One]

I've had this problem for a while. A few months ago I decided to tackle it by carefully resealing the taillights and such. I removed all interior in the rear of my hatchback as well just to make sure there were no leaks. A few days later when it rained, I checked the spare tire well and found that a good deal of water was there.

Now that finals are over, I went in and really tried to find the source of the new leak. Everything checked out. Inside, I found a small patch of rust and continued tracing it up below where the weather stripping is on the highest point on the car. I continued removing stuff and found water in between a gap of about 1 mm between two pieces of metal running along the lenght of the hatch.

I have no clue where this leak is, I took everything apart and I know it's not my lights and weatherstripping. I would really like it stop raining in my car. Has anybody ever had this problem?

[vancouverbc]

"I continued removing stuff and found water in between a gap of about 1 mm between two pieces of metal running along the lenght of the hatch."

the seams are not welded and leak. Im using silicone.

You really need to observe with a flashlight when it is raining/sprayed to see where the leak is. It is quite subtle. Small drip can accumulate lot of water. Mine seems to be from the bolts that hold the air foil on. The seams in the hatch are not welded and cause a lot of problems, also.

[240sxdominos]

I have the exact same problem. There was about 3 inches of water in the spare tire area, so I removed my entire rear seat/fabric assembly.I have no idea how long the water was in there, luckily i caught it and drained the hub immediately.

[180fan]

did you check the 3rd brake light?

[Thoughtful_One]

Yesterday I continued removing interior until there was almost nothing left trying to trace the leak. I've traced it all the way up to where two body panels meet towards the roof of the car, near where you can pull the headliner down. The two panels meet in the hatch area on the inside toward the top. I really don't think any portion of the hatch is leaking.

I am still completely stumped as to where the water is leaking in from. I don't see any visible holes or rust spots where water can leak in from. The weather stripping is still intact too. Water is in between the two panels, but I don't want to just seal that up since I'm sure that it really isn't the source.

[pr240sx]

Could be via the hatch hinges.Remore them and add some polyurethane sealer (NOT SILICONE) there.Silicone sealer is way too acidAlso check the hatch strut bolts and the rear wiper nozzle.

[Thoughtful_One]

Good idea, I'll try that.