96 SL-2 Water Leak in Trunk
 

Having a problem with my 96 SL-2 with water leaking into the trunk. The water appears near each of the rear quarter panels in the little v-shaped part of the trunk. Everything else stays dry. Liner is dry, no water in the spare tire well. I did re-caulk every body seam from the wheel housing back to the bumper with GE black silicone, sealed around the air vent edges on the drivers side, and all the gromets. I did notice that the factory had skipped some seam sealer near each of the tail lights from about half way up all the way to the top of the quarter panel. I poured water over the trunk water channel afterwards....stayed dry. Next time it rained, it leaked. Had some paper towels in the area to test it and they were damp. At a loss as to where this is coming from. I read where the seam sealer begins to fail on these cars. Saw where a guy took the plastic panels off to reseal the seams, but that was on an SC-1 model. Rubber gasket around trunk is in good shape and seals tight. My car does NOT have a sunroof so that eliminates a drain problem. Anyone have any ideas?????:(

I have no idea what the "V shaped" part of the trunk is but if you are talking about the center of the trunk under the forward part of the lid, then it could be the back window at the corners.

The v-shaped area I am talking about is the area directly behind the tail lights near the quarter panels. On the drivers side there is a vent directly above the area. There is also a wire harness gromet and a cable gromet in the area. The passenger side has no vent or gromets. The area where the water lays is at the bottom and is kind of V shaped. If it were the rear window, I think it might be wet a little farther back in the trunk. That area is dry.

Your talking about that little cubby hole the carpet dips into just forward of the taillights. Both sides leak? Does it leak if you don't drive it?

If it doesn't, try throwing a little flour up against the underside of the trunk, then run a lot of water over the area. Open the trunk lid and the flour should show you the water trail.

That's a great idea, Keith. I'll have to try to remember that if I ever have that problem!

Spray foot powder also works and is a little easier to get onto the bottom side of horizontal surfaces.

Dude, you're a veritable fountain of information. I'm glad you're on the forum!