Damp rear seat

[James_G]

For a while now I have thought that I had a slight leak from the sunroof, but the car was parked up over the weekend during all the rain and the rear seat remained dry. Tonight however I have driven 50 miles in the rain and this is what the rear seat looks like:

I have just lifted the edge and it's very wet underneath, and judging by the pattern water is coming into the car from the wheel arch area.

My question is, is this common? Is there a "classic" rust spot here? Or perhaps could I, by some minor miracle, be just simply missing a rubber bung?? Anybody else had something like this?

Thanks.

 

[smitty893]

The leak could be coming from the top of the hatch seal, from the seal around the side window or possibly from the sunroof drain tubes. It's very difficult to see in the picture where the water is coming from. I had a slight problem with damp getting in and invested in a can of silicone rubber treatment spray from Halfords - I have to say it's bloody brilliant. I treated all the visible seals and the car has been dry since. It helps keep the rubber supple and waterproofs at the same time. You have to watch that you don't over do it and I'm sure they may some who don't agree with it, but it worked for me.

 

[cococola]

I had a leak onto my rear seat and I found it to be the tailgate seal worn and flattened at the top.
I replaced the seal and that cured my leak problem and the tailgate release operation too.

 

[Fen]

My vote was going to be for rear side windows, but hatch seal is worth checking first as it's easier to do visually and easier to replace if it's the culprit.

Some leaks are related to situations where the air pressure in the car is changed by driving it so won't happen when it's parked in a deluge but might leak in a relatively light shower when it's being driven which both explains the sudden wetness and makes it harder to find the leak.

 

[James_G]

Hatch seal is a good suggestion as on that drive I did think there was a lot of wind noise. I doubt it's the sunroof drainage however as earlier this year I did the watering can test on the pipework and it passed with flying colours. Could be sunroof seal though. Whatever it is, as long as it's not welding I don't really mind.

I'll report back when I have discovered what the problem is.

 

[Guest]

Ive just noticed a puddle has appeared in the drivers side rear footwell.
I hav'nt noticed it before and it has been raining really bad here the other day , possibly the sunroof seal?

 

[James_G]

Definitely a possibility or try the sunroof drain tubes, which I believe run in that general direction.

Meanwhile a big pile of parts I have ordered has arrived, so the leak testing is put on hold while I replace the lower control arms. Should be fun........