87 Accord.
I live in KY and we’ve had quite alot of precipitation lately. I noticed the carpeting in my trunk was soaked so I pulled it up and found a pond of water in the little area where the spare sits. Is there supposed to be a drain in there that may just be clogged or am I just going to have to evac all the water with a shop-vac? I suspect I will also have to find a new trunk liner now, one that isn’t all mildewish. Also how can I prevent this from happening again? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.
There is a plug at the bottom of the spare tire well, but the big question is ‘How is water getting into my trunk?’ There should be a rubber seal the goes all the way around the trunk opening. Check it for breaks and cracks. Check for a build-up of debris, dirt, and muck around the upper part of the trunk opening, between the rubber seal and the rear window. This muck can prevent water from running off and force it past the seal. Also, water can leak in through a bad rear window seal. There are products that can re-seal the window without removing it. But, for the time being, remove the liner, suck out the water, and pull the plug out. At least the water will not build-up in there.
My wife’s car had the same problem, and although the trunk seal was in tact and there was no rust-through, water got in. We discovered she took the car to one of those new “touchless” car washes. The powerful water jets come out HORIZONTALLY and force the water past the trunk seal. This may be your problem, unless your son accidentally backed the car into the river.
I dont have a son, i’m only 21 years old and this is my vehicle. It never goes to the car wash either, I always clean it myself. Thanks for the advice all ~
I will add one additional possibility that is often overlooked. Look at the bottom of the trunk after removing everything including the spare. A rust hole (or other hole) can let up in from below. It can be splashed in.
when you open the trunk closely inspect the rubber trunk deck gasket. ensure it has no tears, or rips. ensure it is still slipped on tightly to the steel rim of the trunk lip. (if the seal is NOT on the lip, and is too worn out you may have to buy a new seal.
also, inspect the trunk deck itself, to make sure it has no rust holes in it; and make sure any lights and reflectors are still firmly attached and not leaking.
as mentioned, cleaning out the ‘gutters’ of all debris is important too. when you open the deck lid, make sure the entire path around the outside if the trunk deck lid is clean of all debris.
while you are at it, open the hood and do the same for the forward gutters, around the hinges, and air intakes. open the doors, and look under the bottom edge of the doors for the weep holes. ensure the weep holes are clear too. (pine needles and leaves get down between the window seal and the glass and clog them up too.) when you have the doors open, look at the forward end of the door opening. clean any debris out from the back side of the body panel too.
these simple steps will ensure your car doesn’t rust out from the INSIDE.
and these only take about 15 minutes to do. whats 15 minutes once a year to keep rust away?
Trunk lid bent? Any plugs in trunk floor sheet metal missing?
We have an Olds with a sunroof. The tubes (drain) run back to the trunk area and drain out thru connections there. One had become diconneced and filled the spare tire area. So if you have a sunroof…
No sunroof, trunk lid isnt bent, can’t tell if any plugs are gone.
I got my door seal to stop leaking by wiping down the weatherstripping with silicone spray, you could try that. Yours may be shrunk from age and it’s not making contact anymore though. Other suspect would still be a hole in the floor somewhere, you need to pull out the carpeting and panels to inspect.
Check the taillight seals.
Second that.
If your not claustrophobic you might get inside your trunk with a flashlight and close the lid and while someone outside sprays water around the trunk deck and tail lights look to see if you can find the leak. This will give you someplace to start.
Make sure the person on the outside has your key to the trunk don’t want to get trapped inside.
Does your back seat laydown so you can see into the trunk area? If so it would be better to lay down your back seat and look thru it while someone sprays the water around the trunk area. My sons 92 Accord does.
yes good idea, my back seat folds down for extra trunk access. thanks.
my brother had the same problem with neon dodge water was coming in through the light unit seal we pulled out unit and put rtv around unit and it stopped leaking. if your not sure where leak is put some one inside close lid of course with flash light and use high pressure hose at car wash the leak mshould show up. ooo by the way if any one bought a dodge neon and found my brother send him back
put some one inside trunk with flash light and use high pressure hose a car wash and leak will show up. we had a neon that leaked around the light unit. if you found my my brother who ever bought the car send him back