Boot Leaking

[S - Type Driver 2022]

Hi all,

I have recently picked up another S Type with only 14,000 miles on the clock.

I have had it parked outside the last few days and have noticed the spare wheel well is filling up with water and getting under the battery tray, i believe it is coming from the main boot seal.

I have poured water all around the boot seal with a watering can but I can’t see any obvious signs of water ingress, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cameron

[N6 JMX]

Hi S-type Driver, are you sure the water ingress is "new", i.e. since you have had it standing outside in your ownership and not water that was already in the well when you acquired the car?

Dry out the well and surrounding area and leave it to stand as before, but this time coat the whole of the boot seal with a light dusting of chalk powder. Alternatively, try a smoke generator placed inside the boot with the boot lid closed. It may simply be a case of the boot seal has lost some of its elasticity and needs a bit of packing. Ed China fixed a poor seal on the door of an Aston Martin by packing a new piece of rubber inside the existing door seal.

N6 JMX

[S - Type Driver 2022]

15 hours ago, N6 JMX said:

Hi S-type Driver, are you sure the water ingress is "new", i.e. since you have had it standing outside in your ownership and not water that was already in the well when you acquired the car?

Dry out the well and surrounding area and leave it to stand as before, but this time coat the whole of the boot seal with a light dusting of chalk powder. Alternatively, try a smoke generator placed inside the boot with the boot lid closed. It may simply be a case of the boot seal has lost some of its elasticity and needs a bit of packing. Ed China fixed a poor seal on the door of an Aston Martin by packing a new piece of rubber inside the existing door seal.

N6 JMX

Hi N6JMX,

Thanks for getting back to me, there was a small amount of water in the boot when I got the car but over the last few days it has filled up considerably about and inch worth of water in the wheel well.

The smoke machine is a good shout, never thought of that, I knew there was a reason for having one 😆

I have heard that the boot seals can get dirt underneath them which creates a wicking effect and can lead to water ingress although having pulled the seal back there’s evidence of previous silicone which would suggest a different issue. 

I think I’ll remove the seal and soak it in the bath, and refit it with some silicone sealant after treating the rust that’s forming on the pinch welds and see if that makes any difference.

Cameron 

[JOE-DOT-COM]

Hi

common place for water in the boot on S-types is above the rear lights, there a infill piece of rubber across the top of the lights, its very common leak.

usually fix is remove the lights and clean it all up, then reseal the upper rubber seal on the light with some silicone and that cures it

cheers

Joe