Water in the boot

[Claws]

Hi Guys

I know this question crops up now and again, but cant find the thread.

On Saturday, I thought ide have a go at putting the CDC in the boot (apart from it being to very cold! what a performance trying to get the boor liner out! I just gave up)

Anyway I digress, there is water, approx an inch sitting in the spare wheel well, but couldn't see any damp around the carpet / lining, now am I imagining this or have I read somewhere, the rubber seals around the boot, can be reinvigorated with hot water or something? I am presuming of course the rubber seal is the culprit?

Any tips, as always appreciated

Regards

Steve

[Old Peter]

Hi Steve,

Your assumption is correct. I used warm soapy water to get rid of any accumulated dirt, and then some WD40, which seems to do the job.  No problems at all this wet winter.

I would also check the spare wheel well [I have a proper care wheel on a matching alloy rim] and see if there is a drain hole that could be blocked as an inch of water not good. I used to have a Ford Escort in which the drivers footwell would fill up with water every time it rained.  I drilled a hole  to let it drain out and only discovered a month or so later that it was a missing rubber grommet in the wheel arch which allowed water in.

Let us know what you find.

Regards,

Peter.

[Claws]

Cheers Peter

I had a feeling ide read something about that trick. I didn't know there was a drain hole in there, i'll have a look during the Easter break (weather permitting)

Your story about the Escort, reminds me of an old mini, me and the ex-wife had as our first car, if it was raining, you had to wipe your feet before you got out! it was like a colander under the mats

[Claws]

Thanks Jim

Some very helpful pointers, never considered the lights  

The only person who could spray water over the boot would be SWMBO, I'm certainly not giving the boss a chance to have me locked in the boot of a car  i'll look for more obvious signs, if no success, go down the Talc route

"The seal near the bottom part of the trunk didn't seem to seal properly" is this the bit where the locking mechanism is?

Regards

Steve

 

[Old Peter]

Hi Steve, 

Just a quick word.  Jaguar advise not to use a spray on the car.

A piece of paper along the inner part of the seal will show where water is getting in, and some duct tape by the light seals will give an indication where water is coming in. It works, as I tried that and located exactly where water was coming in.

I would never get in an S type boot  ---  far too shallow, and I am just 5'6" tall and 12 and a half stones in weight.

Regards 

Peter.

[Claws]

Many thanks Peter

Another couple of good pointers, once again I hadn't considered that method of locating were the water is coming in. Again if the weather permits, although its suppose to be naff down here I believe.

I think what i'll do this weekend is take out the carpet / lining, and lay paper all around the boot, give the 'Old Girl' a good scrub, and see if there are any tell tale signs (This is why I love this site!  such useful help / tips / pointers, and advice)

Just to put your mind at rest, I would never get into a car boot, with a view to it being locked! (Don't try this at home folks!)

I have shrunk a bit, I'm just under 6' now and as skinny as a rake (stopped working out many, many years ago!) even with the back seats down, my knees wouldn't let me do it anyway

Regards

Steve

 

[Old Peter]

Hi Steve,

I have hardly ever worked out as such, but I can still fit into my Rugby shorts that I wore the last time I played in 1987. you get older diet become moreimgportant that working out!

Regards,

Peter.

[Claws]

I will Jim

there are a few spots of rust, in the well, ill get the water out one way or another! and dry it properly (Hmmm... where does she keep her hair dryer ) and perhaps spray around it with some WD40, I don't know what the spare looks like underneath, steel space saver type, hopefully not affected.

Am I right in presuming, the rubber seal is just simply a 'Push on' fit? no glue or sealants?

[Claws]

Hi Peter

I was a Football 'Softie?' myself, did try some boxing as a kid, but had to stop 'People kept hitting me!'  

[Simjag]

Boot lid seal????

I found mine had a leak then I got her, someone said pull off boot seat and spin 90 deg and refit, it worked for me!

[Claws]

Thanks Chaps

Lots of great suggestions, if I cant find the leak or a solution after this then I do have a problem!

regards

Steve

 

[Claws]

Will do Jim

If i can capture anything on a photograph I'll post on here 

Regards Steve 

[red-z]

I've heard that another source of leaking in the boot can be where a wire goes out towards the rear bumper on the RH side near the battery.  There should be a grommet there but sometimes it's come out or is missing.  Worth a check, although it sounds like your leak is too big for that.

[Scalded Cat]

  Hi Steve.

    I bought my 2006 model 4 weeks ago. Small amount of water in the spare wheel well when I looked at it. The dealer said he would sort but still had problems when it rained all day at the start of March. I read all I could find about it and decided to have a go myself rather than take it back.

    I put a little silicon around the seals on the light clusters,then looked under the seal. Slight dampness along the top of the lip that the seal pushes onto at its lowest point. I read that this happens after a prolonged period of rain as the water creeps up the lip.This is not apparent if you hose it or car wash it as needs a long soak to happen. A bit of silicon along the top of the metal lip and refit the rubber seal before silicon dries seems to have cured this. I looked this morning after all that rain yesterday and dry as a bone.

    Hope this helps

   David

[Claws]

Many thanks David 

For the tip, and welcome to the JOC.

I can't picture the exact area you refer to? If you could take a photo and pop on here that would be appreciated.

I know the guy's would love to see pics of the car as well 

Thanks again

Regards

Steve

[Scalded Cat]

  Hi Steve.

   Thanks for the welcome. I will take some pics when I can and put in the intro section.

 Sorry to take a while to get back to you. i am new to forums in general, didn't realise it was that quick! here is a photo of the area I sealed.Just a 2-3 mm bead of silicone and put the seal back just before it dries. Saw something on YouTube like this but can't find the link now. Still dry after more rain :)

  Cheers 

   David

 

[Scalded Cat]

  Hi Steve.

   Thanks for the welcome. I will take some pics when I can and put in the intro section.

 Sorry to take a while to get back to you. i am new to forums in general, didn't realise it was that quick! here is a photo of the area I sealed.Just a 2-3 mm bead of silicone and put the seal back just before it dries. Saw something on YouTube like this but can't find the link now. Still dry after more rain :)

  Cheers 

   David

 

[Claws]

Cheers David

much appreciated 

Regards

Steve