[Allan Gibbs]

I know there were threads about the rear trunk getting wet after a rain storm or car wash. But does has this happened to everyone or just a few owners?

I pulls some images from Symbolic's site. I think the problem maybe that the rubber to prevent water from seaping into the trunk is too thin, or maybe there's not enough weight on the hood to make a water tight seal, or the rubber seals get bent out of shape (like in the second image).

Also, are there any water chanels in the engine area that aren't shown by the images?

Images from:
http://www.symbolicmotors.com/mainpages/inventory.php

 

[zvezdah1]

Allan,
For me, water ingress into the trunk only occurred when the car was tail down on a hill and while washing it. It's never leaked at all either parked or driving in the rain. I looked at the seals and lips, it seems that it's a combo of a lid that weighs next to nothing. and the drain channels being overwhelmed by the water from a hose which causes water to overwhelm the trunk seals. I've only had a tiny bit of water even with washing, about the same amount as drips in when the car is wet and you open the lid.

Chris

 

[Allan Gibbs]

Thanks Chris. I think I see the water chanels along the edges of the trunk.

I'm also thinking that if the locking mechanism is in the front of the trunk, there may not be enough weight towards the rear of the trunk to effectively keep make a water tight seal. Maybe replacing the rubber with something larger may help.

 

[cerven]

There's a small threaded rod with a white rubber tip on it to hold the top or limit vibration when closed - maybe this needs to be threaded down a bit to tighten onto the rubber? I don't have a car but am DAMN anxious to offer my advice!! LOL

 

[Stan]

>>>There's a small threaded rod with a white rubber tip on it to hold the top or limit vibration when closed - maybe this needs to be threaded down a bit to tighten onto the rubber? I don't have a car but am DAMN anxious to offer my advice!! LOL<<<

I don't think that is the problem, but it should be easy to check out. Not shown in the PICs above is that the water that lands in the channel around the perimeter of the lid can esit through some drains. The drains are a bit in front of the trunk firewall in a depression in the channel, and are on both sides. If the car is parked tail down, the channel that surrounds the trunk fills up and cannot drain since the drain holes are uphill near the trunk firewall. You can't drill more drain holes in this trunk perimeter area since the water would then directly enter the trunk. But you could hook up some drain tubes! This is done on almost all car sunroofs - open one and look in the front corners or along the sides. My trunk seem to stay dry. I guess it hasn't been wet and on an angle or washed on a hill or whatever.

 

[MikeAR303]

I've washed my car a few times already and haven't noticed any water in the trunk at all.

 

[zvezdah1]

Yep,
As I said the water ingress is insignificant for me, I always keep a towel in the trunk just in case I need it for something. I think most of you guys will find we're talking about tiny amounts of water.

Chris

 

[xxxotic]

I hope Pimp My Ride doesnt find out about this.

They will probably seal up the drain hole, fill the trunk with water, cover it with plexiglass and turn into into an aquarium, or even worse, a kiddie pool. That yellow liquid isnt gasoline!

 

[bentasm1]

I just pressure washed it looking for leaks, none apparent. Usually it's just the molding being loose or not sealing properly and is an easy fix.

-Ben

 

[Allan Gibbs]

I hope Pimp My Ride doesnt find out about this.

They will probably seal up the drain hole, fill the trunk with water, cover it with plexiglass and turn into into an aquarium, or even worse, a kiddie pool. That yellow liquid isnt gasoline!

Or in MW's case, it would make a perfect see-through Red Bull storage tank/dispenser.

From the sounds of it, the leaking issue doesn't seem to be very major. It's probably just going to be a matter of making sure the rubber lining is not bent or folded.

 

[Rawr]

These guys will tell you that there's not much you can do about a wet trunk...

 

[brgelise]

Never thought about the drain holes in front not working when parked uphill. Humm Guess I'll try parking car facing downhill next time I wash it. When parked uphill and washing, water may also curl back from last vent. searches actually work on this site!! Gasket is pretty stiff and non-compliant though