Trunk leak

[Craig-o]

Here in (usually) sunny California, I have an interesting problem that I discovered last winter, but didn't identify the source until today. I have had water entering the trunk area of my 2001 convertible, and accumulating in the driver's side storage compartment. I finally tracked the source to the area around the driver's side trunk hinge plate.

I keep the car in the garage, but with winter coming, it won't be long before I have to leave the car out in the weather. Has anyone else ever run into this problem? It looks like I should be able to remove the hinge plate, and put some calking-like material around that surface. Can anyone confirm an appropriate fix for my leak?

Thanks...Craig

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
Normally, a body seam sealer would be used.
You can usually obtain this from any auto parts store.
There are seam tapes, but I dont know your exact part where the leak is, so this may not be the best way.
Usually, there are 2 types, flow grade sealant which will run into the leak area and seal it. Or there is a very heavy, Drip check sealant, which you place on the leak area and work into the gap.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[Craig-o]

c4c5specialist,

Thanks for the reply; the leak appears to be coming through the area where the hinge plate is mounted to the inside of the chanel that surrounds the trunk (outside the weatherstriping.) There are 2 pop-rivets, and the drip comes down the rearward rivet, but it seems to be coming through somewhere else. Since there are 2 bolts in addition to the 2 pop-rivets all in the vicinity, I can't pinpoint the leak any more precisely without removing the hinge plate.

Would you suggest removing the hinge plate that is mounted to the body (and the trunk lid), or are you suggesting a liquid sealer, allowing it to flow around the mounting plate?

Craig