Pesky Truck Leak...

[318idol]

Hello, all...

Living in Portland, OR means rain. And rain mixed with e30s usually causes a leaky trunk. Like mine.

Water pools in the jack well. Now before everyone suggests antenna gasket, taillight seals, trunk seal, truck lid closing adjuster bumpers,and/or sunroof drain tube, let me say I've checked them all, and all are perfect.

Where else could the water come from? I park the car on the level and it rains for several hours, there will be a couple tablespoons of water in the jack well.

The only thing I haven't done is pull out the trunk carpet/lining and pour water on and see where it's leaking. The car is a really nice 1991 318i 4-door.

Thoughts?

Gary

[restoration]

mine seeps around trunk gasket and taillights

[jlevie]

One can find the source of a water leak with ordinary blackboard chalk. Liberally apply it around the trunk lip, taillight housings, etc. The next time you find water in the trunk look to see where the chalk has been washed away.

[dlmpsy]

Mine did the same thing, never quite figured-out exactly where the water was coming from. I had sealer put around the rear window and the side window. It's not as bad now. Some people on the boards have a body seam that is separated a bit. The chalk idea is a good suggestion, the next step is to spray different areas with a water hose to try to localize the problem.

[Car Addict]

i had the exact issue with mine turned out to be two culprits one near where the jack holder is that is screwed in to. closed that one with rubberized undercoat sealant. then another was the vent thing on the side i maneuvered it just right and that set it perfect no more leaks ftw.