Leaky Hatch: Part II

[Thoughtful_One]

I've tried taking the *majority* of my rear interior to try to find the source of leaking water, but I couldn't find much of anything. I did find a small rust spot where water sat near the headliner, but I couldn't find a hole or anything where the water was coming from. I checked the hinges and they seemed fine. I also checked the rubber grommets connected by the rubber tubing to the hatch and body, but it was fine. Lastly, I sealed up the area where the hatch struts meet the body, but this did not help.

The other day I was driving down the expressway and I could feel a really strong breeze (all windows were shut). It could be felt at 50 MPH and just became stronger (obviously) as I increased speed. Any ideas?

[180fan]

got a ball park idea where it could be leaking in from? Please don't tell me vents or doors...

[Thoughtful_One]

got a ball park idea where it could be leaking in from? Please don't tell me vents or doors...

Yes I have an idea where it is leaking from. On the hatchback, stand facing the rear of the car with the hatch open. Now, after you take the large plastic trim on the sides near the rear, which also travel up to the roof (the plastic which has a ractangular hole cut out for the rear seat belts, what you have left will be a long thin strip of trim that is covered in some type of vinyl, which makes it soft to touch. To get that off, you have to pull that towards you (you are standing directly behind the car). I think the leak is somewhere there, but maybe on the passenger side. I checked the hinges and rubber grommets for the wiring, but I couldn't see any leaks. When you are driving you can fell trongly a gust coming from the rear to the front of the car.

[udunnawme]

it seems to me if you were feeling a breeze there would have to be a large hole. just because you are finding water in the back of the car that doesnt mean the leak is there. because of the shape of the car a leak in the center of the roof would cause water to pool in the back.

[crash n burn]

after i switched my hatch..it leaked though the bolts..i took hem out..put a thick bead of silicone around the hole and the bolt..and a little on the nut so it would seal up tight..works from then on

you might be in need of pulling down your headliner

[zer0c123]

Take a look at where the quarter panel window meets the trunk (the area where there is an incline for water to flow out of the trunk). See if there are any gaps between the weather seal and the trunk body. Also has there been any damage to the rear area, or already repaired damage?

[Thoughtful_One]

Take a look at where the quarter panel window meets the trunk (the area where there is an incline for water to flow out of the trunk). See if there are any gaps between the weather seal and the trunk body. Also has there been any damage to the rear area, or already repaired damage?

I checked this area first and found no leaks at all. Everything was fine here. The slope isn't the problem; the problem is close to the top of the hatch where the hinges are, but their are no holes or places for water to leak in from there. When I take the hatch off to repair rust damage, I will re-apply sealant and see what happens I suppose.

[Warped161]

not sure how this turned out for you but, i recently founs the same problem i was getting water in the trunk but it was actually leaking in at the top of the hatch. If you take off the trim in the car you will find water marks from the water coming down. I found the water was coming in through a cracked in the seal that nissan puts on when there is a seam from two metal plates. use a cup of water and slowly pour it to watch for the leak.

[blingbling777]

^^^that is exactly where mine leaked

[Warped161]

yeah i think im gonna use jb weld on it, what is the material that nissan originally used anyone know?

[pr240sx]

You need to use something flexible there. NEVER use silicone to seal metal to metal unless you want rust to be everywhere.Use urethane or polyurethane.I had the same problem, cleaned with brake cleaner, blow some air thru there and used some heated window weld but with a trick....i used a high powered vaccum cleaner from the inside in order to "suck" the sealant thru the crack.After that, I painted the area with those dupli color crap paint.Looks OEM and sealed perfectly

[Thoughtful_One]

I'll have to check this out. This sounds like something I overlooked, and could very well be the cause of all my problems. I'll try it this weekend.