My rear bumper is letting in the floodwaters!!?!?! (Pics)

[sweetride01]

So, since I'm doing an audio install, I decided that I really do have to worry about water in the trunk. It seems the jack well has been letting in water for quite some time - there was a large mud deposit there. Not sure how long for the battery side, but there is also water there.
The 4th wettest day in Tampa history left behind a small pond:


2 other pics of the problem:



When I pour water on each side of the bumper, the water starts to come in, apparently just above the plastic vent thingy. It may also come through the metal strip things you can see in the middle pic.
I can only wonder how much water is in between the two panels. :(

Who can feed me with more info/provide me with a solution???

[sweetride01]

Please can someone give me answers?
Thanks

[AndrewBird]

Is it leaking around the outside of the vents? If so, just dry it out and put a bead of silicone sealant around it. Problem solved. If it is leaking through the "door", just replace the whole vent.

[sweetride01]

It is both through the "door" and around the vent. I am worried though also about the water that will be getting b/w the quarterpanel and the trunk wall.
Any ideas on how it is entering through or near the bumper?

[jht3]

there should be a gasket between the sheet metal and vent. also look closely at the vent tube. mine leaked on the drivers side, but has been better since fiddling with it (previous owner siliconed it up and made a big mess)

and there isn't any water getting between the fender and trunk, becuase that's not how it works. the bumper covers the vent. by spraying water at teh bumper crack, you are shooting water directly at the vent

[sweetride01]

there should be a gasket between the sheet metal and vent. also look closely at the vent tube. mine leaked on the drivers side, but has been better since fiddling with it (previous owner siliconed it up and made a big mess)

and there isn't any water getting between the fender and trunk, becuase that's not how it works. the bumper covers the vent. by spraying water at teh bumper crack, you are shooting water directly at the vent

Ahh, sweet, thanks. So all I have to do is fix the gasket/silicone it?
Also, is the tube leading to the vent a water channel for roof water?

[e30Matt]

I just drilled a drain hole in the bottom of those two sheet metal "tubs" and dabbed it with rustproofing compound. Water collection problem solved.