Suspect water's leaking into your hatchback?

[StockerThanStock]

I don't think I've seen a writeup on this yet, but it was a very annoying problem for me.

Spent almost $1,000-$1,500 by now trying to figure out leaks and I still think I have some on this hatchback. To save any of you some time and frustration:

Around the hatch itself:Check the main seal around the hatch. It's expensive but worth it depending on the condition of yours.At the bottom of the main seal, look at where the body panels are welded together. Poor welds tend to rust through and let water go in. Mine had a hole between the two panels at the bottom left of this seal.Taillights. That black gooey stuff wears out after roughly 8-11 years. This stuff can be picked up from a Nissan dealership. Make sure the old stuff is thoroughly removed before applying the new.At the top of the hatch, check the rubber stoppers that cover the wires from the car to the hatch (For the windshield wiper, defroster, brake light). This spot makes for a nasty leak and lets water run down to your taillights and gives you the impression the leak is at the taillights...If you have a busted plastic roof panel in the top, water can drip straight onto the back seat! Not a pleasant smell if you don't check this spot when you're looking for leaks.Check the base of the struts that hold up the hatch itself. Not likely to be a problem but wouldn't hurt to check. If you get the interior panel taken off underneath this piece, you can check for leaks a lot easier here.

On the hatch itself:It might be possible for a leak around the base of the rear wiper. I'll have to check that out sooner or later.The window itself. Shouldn't be much of a problem there unless you've had to have a shop remove/replace glass for whatever reason. Same applies to the quarter panel windows too.

Doors:As for the doors, I haven't looked into how water drains in there but there's some kind of drainage system. After a nice rain if I open the door, sometimes water will drip out of the drain holes towards the base of it at the bottom.Aside from that, I had to replace every seal on and around the door. I could fit 3 fingers inbetween the seal and window at the base before I replaced those.The seals around the the rear view mirrors are very important! These seals run up against the window and around the base of the rear view mirror. If yours are cracked or breaking, water can rush in very easily. This can rust the metal where you attach the rear view mirror and the seal itself.

Sunroof:Oddly enough, never had any problems with the sunroof. Check the seals and drainage pipes on it to make sure water can run out easily. The drainage pipes should be near the 4 corners of the sunroof. Run a little water through each one and it should start dripping from the bottom of the vehicle. The only thing I can think of to clear out a stopped up one would be compressed air.

That's all that I can think of at the moment. Hope this could help someone out. Mold/mildew on cloth seats is worse than a lot of engine problems.Haven't had any noticable problems with water leaking in or anything lately.Also, febreeze works great on cloth seats!

It's probably worth it to take something apart (like the taillight fixture or trunk panels on the interior) even if you don't think there's a problem. LOT'S of grime and crap build up around those taillights.

[EDIT] Added a thing or two I thought of.
Modified by StockerThanStock at 6:10 PM 7/15/2005

[240DRFT]

you spent 1500 on trying fix leaks

i took off my wing and put some jdm tyte tape over the holes and i know some of the weathering stripping is bad but i dont care cuz the rear hatch is gutted

[StreetDreamin]

wow. GJ with the write-up. sounds like u had a hell of a time with those leaks.