[Jason F]

I have had my 1999 3dr hardback for just over 6 months now and although i think it's great, there is a leak in the back somewhere that seems to be getting worse. It is now at the point that after heavy rain(which is not uncommon on the South coast!) there's a pool of water in the boot security box. I've spent over £200 on 2 new seals and am fast running out of money and ideas! I do like water features, but when they are starting to make my car smell rather mouldy I have to draw the line!!! I've talked to a view dealers who said it's not uncommon, and changing these seals would solve it, but when I informed them that they've taken my money but the problems still there, they ran out of ideas! PLEASE can anyone help me cause my kids complain about the smell each time they get in the car.
Look forward to any help. Jase.

 

[Rovin4life]

Jason, what you need to do is diagnose the problem.

I doubt they did anything and just threw in a seal.

What you need to do is test it with a hose to see where the water intrusion is.

Start in the front and leave the water on it for a while and then work your way back to the back. Finally spraying water directly on the door. It will give you an idea of where to start. IF your still not sure or narrowed it down to say the front then take off the headliner and spray it again to see exactly where the leak is coming from. Does it have a sun roof. because they have four drains two in the front and two in the back.

 

[Jason F]

Jason, what you need to do is diagnose the problem.

I doubt they did anything and just threw in a seal.

What you need to do is test it with a hose to see where the water intrusion is.

Start in the front and leave the water on it for a while and then work your way back to the back. Finally spraying water directly on the door. It will give you an idea of where to start. IF your still not sure or narrowed it down to say the front then take off the headliner and spray it again to see exactly where the leak is coming from. Does it have a sun roof. because they have four drains two in the front and two in the back.

Thanks for that beezel.
I've managed to narrow it down to the right hand side of the rear door. It seems like the water it running down the seal and into the boot, but I've no idea how it ends up getting inside the seal! Could it be that the door hinges have got loose so it's not tight onto the seals or something? By the way, I think you're right about the dealers just putting new seals on and not doing anything else, because it was the top two seals that were changed, when the leak is below them anyway!

 

[Rovin4life]

you might try readjusting the door if possible.

 

[TerryS]

Wipe both the seal and the door dry. Then take some petroleum jelly and put a thin coating on the seal. Now, close the door. reopen the door and inspect the portion of the door on which the seal is 'supposed' to contact. If it is not making a good tight seal, at any spot along the sealing surface, there wont be any sign of the petroleum jellu on the door. Also, see if the width of the transfered jelley is a uniform thickness, any spot which is narrower than others is getting less seal compression, and not leaving as much petroleum jelly on the door.

 

[Jason F]

Quick update! Have done the petrolium jelly bit and there is contact around the whole seal!!! Decided to refit the seals myself as I am at a total loss of what to do next. Looks to me as if the top seal was in a slightly different position on the right hand side to the left, so maybe (or should I say hopefully) that'll be it. Well I might as well look on the bright side!! Just got to wait for the rain now to see if it was something so simple!