water leaking into hatch (no spoiler) - where is it coming from??

[dwadia]

Since i've owned my car (2 yrs now) i've lived with this issue but i would like to do something about it if it's not too big a deal...

The first thing i noticed was that the interior carpet liner on the inside of the hatch was wet after heavy rain. There is also dampness on the trunk floor carpet, particularly under where the hatch seals against the body on each side (left and right, not the rear). I removed the liner inside the hatch and found that it tends to be more wet on the right side, inside the hatch itself (meaning the hollow space between the inner and outer layers of steel). I am not getting huge pools in my car or anything of that nature, but still, something is leaking or not draining properly and it can be a nuisance in heavy rain.

In general, all the weatherstripping on my car is dry-rotted (it was from FL for most of its life). My car has a manual sunroof if it matters, and the hatch has a wiper. Any ideas where the water could be coming from?

[g6civcx]

First thing to check is the taillight seal. It may not be the only source of leak but it's a common one.

You can use a garden hose and run water in particular spots and then check for leaks.

[LongGrain]

Any ideas where the water could be coming from?

outside.

msglngth

[NiSilS14]

Try running a strip of duct tape above the taillights under the weather stripping. I've noticed water run down between taillights and the body.

[lazysk8er2]

tail lights are common due to the seals getting old.

also check out the antennae

[PinkPanther]

taillights like everybody else said, go to autoparts store and buy butyl rubber weatherstrip, remove taillights and reseal. done

[dwadia]

I will check the tail lights first. Would this also account for the water extending further forward on the carpet to near where the front of the hatch meets the roof?

The impression i got from looking at it was that the water was somehow dripping down from inside the hatch... although i'm not 100% sure. Is it possible? Andh ow could water get in there?

[lazysk8er2]

anything is possible...if you just believe

[Bushido]

like everyone else said.

the taillights are the culprit.

I replaced the butyl with fresh stuff from nissan.

i also found water leaking in from around the bolts that hold the taillights to the body. I put a dab of aquarium silicone on each of the bolts. no leaks anymore.

[X2daC]

You need to put more blinker fluid in. It's leaking out from the turn signals and into the cabin.

[dwadia]

ok cool thanks everyone for the suggestions. i will replace the tail light butyle, i'm quite sure it can use it by now even if there is some other issue (hopefully not).

X2daC, thanks for the suggestion about the blinker fluid, i was gonna try that first but i wasn't sure what viscosity to use :rolleyes:

[Tom25666]

check taillights, rear side markers, and antenna. there is a rubber plug underneath the spare in the trunk, you can pop that out to drain the water until you solve the problem

[dwadia]

check taillights, rear side markers, and antenna. there is a rubber plug underneath the spare in the trunk, you can pop that out to drain the water until you solve the problem

will do... and good to know about the plug in the trunk, thanks

[hOngsterr]

tail lights for the rear, and as for the front ish, im going to ask if you have your rear seatbelts still mounteD?

[shiftdrift]

also, check the quarter panel where the hatch sits on (where the water runs down) and it may be rusted/have a hole in it, that's what mine had and i fixed it with some sweet silicone.

[dwadia]

tail lights for the rear, and as for the front ish, im going to ask if you have your rear seatbelts still mounteD?

I do still have rear seatbelts.

And, i am happy to say, no rust holes... anywhere :D

[dwadia]

ok i tried to test for leaks using both a watering can and a hose (not under high pressure), and i could not find anything. I tried opening the hatch and pouring/spraying it just above the tail lights so it would run down into them, for at least a couple minutes straight, and all the water just drained right out the bottom of the tail lights (on the outside of the car, as i'm sure it is supposed to). i did the same thing with the little open space between the hatch and roof, and quarter panels, and all the water runs down and out from under the tail lights. Just for kicks i even checked my sunroof and that water seems to drain properly and unobstructed.

I've never experienced the water come pouring in... it's more like if i leave it parked overnight or at least for a few hours in heavy rain, there will be dampness inside. not a puddle, but definitely wet.

so can anyone explain to me what i have to do to find exactly where the problem is? do you guys still think it's the tail lights after i checked them and couldn't find any problems? is there a way to determine for sure that it's not the tail lights?

[!Zar!]

Just take the tail lights out and seal them up. That way you can rule it out for sure.