How to Diagnose a Leaking Trunk?
2 Answers
Diagnosis and solutions for a leaking trunk are as follows: A trunk leak is usually caused by a faulty seal or damage/deformation to the trunk itself, or possibly a blocked drainage hole. The solutions include: 1. First, drain the water. There is a rubber plug at the bottom of the spare tire compartment in the trunk; remove it to allow drainage. 2. Locate the leak. Check if the trunk lid is deformed or if the surrounding rubber seals have aged. Close the trunk and observe where light comes through, then mark those spots. 3. Purchase a bottle of silicone sealant, open the trunk, remove the interior trim panel, and apply the sealant to the marked areas. The rear bumper may also need to be removed. 4. For aged or damaged rubber seals, visit an auto repair shop to have them replaced.
Diagnosing trunk leaks isn't difficult—I've encountered this issue myself. First, inspect the trunk's sealing strip, especially checking if the rubber strip has aged, deformed, or has gaps; you can feel for loose spots with your hand. Next, simulate rainfall by having a friend gently spray the trunk lid and rear window area with a garden hose while you lie inside observing the leak points—common spots include the gaps around rear lights, edges of the sealing strip, or antenna base. Then, check the drainage holes at the bottom of the trunk; they're often clogged by leaves or mud, which can be cleared with a small wire hook. If the leak persists, it might be due to improperly adjusted trunk latches or gaps in the body welds; if DIY fixes don't work, get it repaired promptly to prevent water accumulation from corroding metal or damaging the spare tire. Regularly cleaning these areas after car washes can prevent minor issues, saving you future headaches.
