Miata Mailing List: November 1997, Message #173
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From: 	David Okamoto <davo@lsil.com>

Subject: Re: trunk leaking

Date: 	Sun, 2 Nov 1997 16:49:14 +0000



John Freas wrote:

> 

> Previously on trunk leaking, Tom Downey <bluem.m@worldnet.att.net> said...

> 

> > everytime it rains harder then just a sprinkle i'm getting a trunk full

> of

> > water.     not the whole trunk getting wet....just the lower indent.

> the

> > deeper side pockets and behind the donut are dry.     i've replaced the

> > taillight gaskets, the center brakelight gasket and the rubber trunk lid

> > seal.    i've checked for moisture around the antenna and the gastank

> neck.

> > i would think that if it was the top i would be getting water inside the

> > passenger compartment as well.    rear shelf is as dry as it should be.

> > after it rained mostly all night i had about 3" of water sitting in the

> > lower part of the trunk this morning.....and i am at a total loss.

> 

> I'd like to hear the answer to this one as well.  My attempts at a solution

> have been somewhat less energetic, but I replaced the taillight gaskets

> with only a partial improvement.  I plan on getting a new CHMSL gasket soon

> 'cause it needs it, but unless you took a fire hose to that thing I can't

> see much water getting in.  My trunklid gasket is in good condition, and

> after a washing it shows a distinct dry line all the way around, indicating

> that nothing is getting in that way.

> 

> One of the most frustrating aspects is that the problem isn't consistent.

> On what I would expect to be a 'no problem' rain (light, no wind), the

> carpet in the bottom of the trunk will be wet.  Today, after over 24 hours

> of rain, some of it quite hard, I checked and it's dry as a bone :P

> 

> Someone suggested to me that maybe the rain rail is cracked and letting

> water into the trunk that way.  Maybe, but whatever way it's getting in,

> it's very inconsistent.

> 

> Anyone?  Anyone...

> 

>         -John

> 

> ------------------------------------------------

> John Freas (jfreas@gte.net)

> Red '90 Base-ish #7690 "Bueller?"

> Deer Park, Long Island

> Team PBC

> Team Roebuck

> Team Voodoo

> Team "I have no idea what those dimple things on the windshield frame are

> for."

> ------------------------------------------------



Fortunately, I don't have this problem, but if I did, I'd get the

largest, brightest battery operated lamp (with an omnidirectional

"head", or dome as used by campers for lighting within tents, etc.,) and

enclose it in the trunk in the dark and look for escaping light.



Actually, in a full sized sedan, I'd get in the trunk and close the lid

during the day to look for light leaks, with a really trustworthy friend

standing by to open it when ready, but I can't fold myself up small

enough for the Miata trunk.  



If the tail light assembly isn't leaking and the trunk lid isn't

leaking, I'd look at the gas filler tube area, although that should be

sealed up pretty well at the filler itself.  One final possibility is

from under the car.  There is a removable panel behind the carpet on the

driver's side (either side?) against the back that racer's often remove

for access to the tops of their shocks for adjustment at the top of the

shocks (Konis and Tokico Illuminas, anyway).  Is/are this/these panel(s)

secure?



Can't think of anywhere else rain might be entering your trunk.



Dave

-- 

Dave Okamoto

LSI Logic Corporation

mailto:davo@lsil.com