'93 Roadmaster Wagon Rear Quarter Water Leak

[bocoogto]

I posted this sometime ago under a different title, but still don't have a solution. When it rains, water collects in the area behind the rear wheels and does not drain out. Rust is beginning to show similar to what I've seen on many other Roadmaster Wagons.

Someone on this board must have had this problem and determined where the leak is. There is no visible drain for this area, nor is there an obvious place to drill one.

Please share your experience/knowledge on this issue.

[bocoogto]

I looked under the car again. There is plastic hole plug about 1 1/2" in diameter on the inside panel of the driver's side quarter panel. It has undercoat over it that looks like factory. Has anyone removed this plug to allow water drainage?

['97ventureowner]

Does the vehicle have a roof rack? There have been instances where on the wagon a leak has developed and it was traced to the roof rack.

[bocoogto]

After two years, the left rear quarter still gets water in it when it rains or when I wash the car. I tightened the roof rack screws and have fixed the rust hole just behind the rear wheel that developed due to the water leak--water trapped inside the quarter panel.

Has anyone found another source of water leaking into this area? I can't see water entering when I go inside the car while my wife squirts the hose at that side of the car and roof. If I can't find the source of the water leak, all the work fixing the rust will have been wasted.

[52mercury]

Try sealing the roof rack screws from the interior with silicone, meaning you have to drop the headliner for access to the thread nuts. Pull out the trim panels for the spare tire and storage box for access to the side window inner trim nuts, Tighten those nuts and silicone accross the whole bottom of the window frame. You may have some success.

Also, no drain plug exists for the left side well area, I drilled a drain hole in the
bottom panel for water flow. Make sure that if you have to drill a hole in the panel, it is drilled at the deepest part that the water pools in place.

Good luck

[bocoogto]

Maybe found the problem. The driver's side rear vent window hinge was no longer attached to the window. I removed the assembly and used Loctite Super Glue to reattach it. I believe the water was getting in here and running down into the quarter panel. Also found the upper tailgate hinge was not sealed and was leaking. I loosened it and caulked the backside of the hinge.

I really don't want to take down the headliner. If these screws are leaking, can't you seal from the topside?

[52mercury]

I attempted to seal the roof rack screws from topside without success,forcing me to lower the headliner. You can try, every situation is different.

One other area of water leakage could be coming from the rubber window
(molded on two side) seal upper part of the tailgate assembly. Tailgate/widow compression and age of the seal flatens the seal out over time. This caused water to trickle down into the rear facing seat well area of my wagon and may have found its way to the wheelwell areas to.I replaced the seal, never had a problem again in the rear facing seat area or the passenger side wheelwell. Water could also trickle down into the wheelwell on both sides from that seal to.

I hope the vent window and hinge sealing issues work. Keep us posted.

[bocoogto]

So far, so good!! Heavy rainstorm and no water in either quarter panel. First time in years without leaks!!

Sealing the upper tailgate hinge where it bolts to the body and fixing the rear vent window hinge may have done the trick. Tightened the roof rack screws, also--they all took more than a turn.