Wet Trunk, not seal

[happydog500]

I thought I asked this question before, but I went back and did a search and didn't turn up anything.

My trunk is wet. Seems not in just a specific area, but the whole trunk carpet is wet. Everything in the trunk is very damp. Anything that's cardboard, like a package or box, is soaked. I thought it was obviously from the seal around the trunk lid.
I went on a trip, sunny here, but I hit a torrential downpour. I remembered I had my suitcase and laptop in the trunk, so I pulled over, under an overpass. When I opened the trunk, I noticed the channel around the seal was bone dry. Watter doesn't even get to the seal.

On this trip the trunk was dry (since it was dry for a long time at hometown). Anytime I open the trunk in the winter, its very damp, any paper or cardboard is falling apart wet, carpet is soaked.

One time I couldn't get the spare out, since the spare wheel compartment nut/bolt was rusted. Didn't see anyplace there where watter was coming in.

I don't see anyplace obviously where watter is coming in the trunk. If it was coming in through the wheel well, one side would be wet more, but it seems to be all over the place. Where can it be coming from?

Thank you,
Chris.

[DVSNCYNIKL]

If this is a frequent and longstanding problem, your best bet is to go in your trunk with a flash light and look for the water trail. Chances are there is going to be some paint that will be faded or discolored from the water constantly coming in. It won't be blatantly obvious so you have to take your time and find it. I don't know too much about these cars to question the build.

[pcmos]

Most importantly, do you have a moon roof on this car? If so, you should start immediately by checking the drain tube connections behind the rigid felt trim panels in the trunk.

Same thing happened on my 2000 (no moon roof), turned out that most of the glued seams that form the trunk pan were leaking. If you strip out all of the trim components in the trunk (rigid side panels, carpet, plastic seat back trim, etc.) and take a high pressure hose to it, you'll probably see that the water comes in through the glued joints. You'll want to spray water up from underneath the trunk pan under the car to test those seams. I went to an autobody supply shop and bought a couple tubes of the OE adhesive by 3M. I went over each seam with a layer of body adhesive and covered the seam with fiberglass tape. I wouldn't waste your time trying to seal the body work with anything from a home improvement store, the adhesive used on body panels is unlike anything you can buy at home depot.

I would also check the threaded studs that are used to secure the trim panels, they protrude through the sheet metal and they often come loose. Water will leak around anything that is penetrating sheet metal and loose. A little flux and solder with a torch will solve that problem.

Inspect the trunk vent which is used to relieve cabin pressure. I believe it is located on the passenger side rear wheel well. The vent is nothing more than a little hanging rubber flap and some vanes. If the rubber has dried out, go to lowes or home depot and pick up some silicon plumbers grease to revive it.

[danielsatur]

1) Use a garden hose with a little water pressure, and set it in the middle of rear window.
2) Open trunk and watch the water roll.
3) Focus on the rear tail lights, the water likes to roll behind them.

Also see, Similar Threads @ the bottom of Ads by Google.

[happydog500]

Originally Posted by danielsatur

1) Use a garden hose with a little water pressure, and set it in the middle of rear window.
2) Open trunk and watch the water roll.
3) Focus on the rear tail lights, the water likes to roll behind them.

Also see, Similar Threads @ the bottom of Ads by Google.

Thank you for the replies, but I don't have adds at the bottom. I use "addblock Plus." You see all web pages just the same but none have adds. Kind of distracting when I use another computer. I'm shocked at how much stuff others have on there screen. I haven't had any adds for years.

Chris.

[ecartman]

Had a similar issue with a 95 Lesabre a few years ago, turns out a hole had rotted through the top of the passenger side rear wheel well. Since then I've encountered numerous 92-99 C and H bodies with similar rust issues ranging from pin holes to fist sized ones.