Trunk Lid Retaining Water When it Rains

savy · #1 (**permalink**) 04-07-09, 03:10 PM

When it rains my trunk lid leaks and retains water in it causing a mildew smell in my car. Trying to find cause of the leak. Anyone had this same issue? I saw that another user's trunk was leaking into the car, mine stays in the trunk lid and leaks out only when i open the trunk.

ewill3rd · #2 (**permalink**) 04-08-09, 08:16 AM

Water is going to get into it, there should be some drain holes in the lower edge of the trunk to let it out.
The drain holes might be plugged with debris.
See if you can find them, compressed air is good but it would be best if you can find a way to dig out anything that is blocking the holes.

Tuxlux · #3 (**permalink**) 04-08-09, 11:55 AM

Hi Savy,

I've got the same problem with my 2005. I just bought it used and the dealership has been working with me on the issue. My trunk lid had actually seeped water out into the latch and rusted the portion of the body where the latch hooks.

They replaced the bezel and fixed the damage but it still leaks.

Water pours out of the trunk lid through the wiring conduit when the lid is opened.

One of the things they tried was adjusting the rubber feet on the bottom of the lid that keep the lid sitting level on the bumper. They said that they had problems with water working its way into those openings when the car was driving in heavy weather.

This slowed down the leak but didn't fix it. The trunk lid fills up with water during long rains when it's parked. When they power washed it, the couldn't make it leak. The trunk doesn't seem wet on its own but the woofer in the back deck has died in the last few weeks. My CTS doesn't have a sunroof so no sunroof drains to worry about.

ewill3rd I'm going to recheck the drains myself just in case the dealer didn't. Thanks!

Savy let me know what you find to resolve the problem and I'll do the same for you.

savy · #4 (**permalink**) 04-13-09, 02:59 PM

I think i have found the fix...GM posted a bulletin on this kind of issue...I had to remove the rear light assembly (pretty easy) put urethane sealer around existing sealant and redo the weather stripping...it's raining real hard right now so i will be able to see if it works...Tuxlux i will let you know what happens and what to use if it does work...

ewill3rd · #5 (**permalink**) 04-13-09, 09:08 PM

I looked at one and I couldn't really find any drain holes, except that the ones that seemed logical to use had rubber plugs in them!
If you have real issues with this you might try taking those rubber plugs out on either side of the trunk lid lower edge and see how that works for you.
I can see how the water would collect in there, not sure why they don't care to let it out????

savy · #6 (**permalink**) 04-21-09, 09:58 AM

Well it worked...I was able to stop the leak...the problem is the design of the rear light assembly...the urethane sealer was painted over at the factory so there was not a good seal and the weather stripping had eroded away so water would get into the light assembly and then leak through the bolts...I need to find the GM bulletin that had the part numbers on it but I would think any urethane sealer and weather stripping would do.

Sammy Z · #7 (**permalink**) 04-21-09, 10:05 AM

If you have the old style (clear), when you have it off, seal all the seams with clear silicon. That will stop water from getting into the bezel and forcing the cover off when it freezes.

the cadillac kid · #8 (**permalink**) 04-21-09, 11:42 AM

Too bad I didn't see this thread earlier; I could have saved you some searching

The Fix: http://www.jon04ctsv.com/rear_bezel/
*Photographs & Instructions courtesy of Jon04ctsv.com

TomV · #9 (**permalink**) 04-21-09, 12:48 PM

The two plugged holes on either side of the trunk lid are not of much use for draining since they are higher than the low spot at the center of the lid. I have this water collection problem and I will drill a small hole in the center of the lid, what I consider the low point of the lid when it is shut. This should allow any accumulated water to drain onto the bumper. I think I should also touch up the exposed metal with a primer/finish paint to minimize rust formation. If that does not work then I will then be forced to take things apart and seal them up as has been suggested in this forum.

On a related note, my front passenger door also accumulates water. When I open the door the water drains out. It appears that the rubber gasket is plugging up the drain holes while the door is closed. Looks like I need to either move the gasket or drill some new holes as well.

TomV · #10 (**permalink**) 06-15-09, 10:18 AM

I removed the 2 small corner plugs on either side of the trunk lid and the water sems to drain out through them.

My doors have accumulated water and it drains out if I pull the door gasket away from the drain holes. I solved this problem by cutting out a bit of the gasket that is plugging the holes when the doors are shut.