Was cleaning my 2002 STS and found the spare tire well full of water. Just bought the car so I do not know if the person who cleaned it dumped a bucket of water in there or if I have a leak some where. Anyone hear of this before?, also what is the compartment on the pasenger side in the trunk for, could not find it in my owners manual.
Thanks Mike

Does the car have a sun roof or a cloth top?

Water in the trunk is a very common problem on those cars. Several things can cause it.

Very common on Sevilles. Check the body seams & trunk seal gasket. You'll probably have to get in the trunk with a flashlight and have a (trusted) friend hose it down.

Ranger that one hell of a fix. I think he better make it a good/best friend. Just kidding.

Yes it does have a sunroof, what about the compartment on pasenger side found in the trunk.
Mike

Very common on Sevilles. Check the body seams & trunk seal gasket. You'll probably have to get in the trunk with a flashlight and have a (trusted) friend hose it down.


If you decide to get in the trunk, You can open it yourself if you have your RKE with you.

The compartment is just for storage I would imagine. I'm not a Seville guy.

As far as the sunroof goes I understand there are drain tubes for them that can either clog or leak. Both resulting in a wet trunk.

My STS trunk fills up with water also and since no one can find out why, I ended up drilling 2 very small drain holes in the tire well until I can figure it out.

Yes it does have a sunroof, what about the compartment on pasenger side found in the trunk.
Mike

Just took a quick look at seal around trunk and it looks good, can see water stain on carpet at lower back right corner. Thinking probably sun roof drain issue. Has anyone got experience removing carpet and where do I find the drains in question. Thought about drilling holes but would like to not have too.
Mike

You will be removing a few trim panels to get at the fender - body seams as well as removing the carpet and pad for drying.

Inspect the factory caulking at the seams for signs of cracking or missing caulk.

Also remove the trim piece at the bottom of the rear glass. The trim fasteners attach to four plastic/nylon/(or something) nut plates that press into square holes in the body. These nut plates were the source of water in my '98.

No idea about sun roof drains.

DO NOT drill holes!

Judging from where you say it is wet, I would suspect the roof drain. I think the tubes run down the pillar, into the trunk at the rear corners and then through a hole somewhere to drain out the bottom. If it was pulled loose, it will drain into the trunk. I'm with Jim. Don't drill any holes.

I remember the sinking feeling when I saw water almost the height of the spare tire in my 1999 essteess... try this link:
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-seville-cadillac-eldorado-forum/72435-trunk-leaks-2000-seville-2.html?highlight=water+in+trunk#post715531
It is dryer'n western kansas in july now...
If the link does not work try searching this forum/water in trunk/specify lhheston, the item will be "Trunk leaks 2000 Seville", my explanation is on the second page. Best of luck...

Ranger that one hell of a fix. I think he better make it a good/best friend. Just kidding.
A 'good' friend will bail you out of jail; a 'best' friend will be in the cell next to you saying, "Oh man, that was a hoot!"

Regards,
Warren :)

Thanks for the fast replies, will not drill holes. One more question the ashtray/cointray will not stay closed after it is opened yet a day later it will close once, but if you use it again it will not. I think it is just trying to mess with my mind. Anyone had one of these apart?
Mike

That's where mine gets wet also and I don't have a sun roof. Just a cloth top which makes me think there's a problem under the top.

I have checked and caulked every seam in site. I can always feel the wetness under the side of the trunk deck but can never see where it's coming from.

I agree don't drill holes. I only did that out of desperation because I knew I wouldn't be driving the car for a while and I wouldn't get back to the problem for a while. I didn't want to leave the trunk full of water.

Judging from where you say it is wet, I would suspect the roof drain. I think the tubes run down the pillar, into the trunk at the rear corners and then through a hole somewhere to drain out the bottom. If it was pulled loose, it will drain into the trunk. I'm with Jim. Don't drill any holes.

Codewise,
In your case I would definately get in the trunk while someone hoses it down. It may be the only way you will find it, but I'd pull all the lining out first.

I agree, Now I need the time. For some reason my life is much different than it was a few years ago. I have no time to do anything. Weird how that happens.

There is a Technical Service Bulletin on this trunk leak for the 2002 Cadillac Seville. GM did not make the proper gasket when they built the car. There is a NEW, replacement gasket to fix this issue.

TSB:03-08-66-009 (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV7739712%7EC36232%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/86372027/87576902/87576927/87576929/34853741/34850750/42063452/121055048)

Body - Water/Musty Smell in Rear Compartment
Bulletin No.: 03-08-66-009
Date: July 30, 2003
TECHNICAL
Subject:
Rear Compartment Carpet (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV7739712%7EC36232%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/86372027/87576902/87576927/87576929/34853741/34866522/56287413/56287593) Wet/Musty Odor and/or Spare Tire Well Wet (Replace Rear Compartment Lid/Opening Weatherstrip (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV7739712%7EC36232%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/86372027/87576902/87576927/87576929/34853741/34866522/34866523/56285987)) Models:
1998-2003 Cadillac Seville Condition
Some customers may comment that in the rear compartment area:
The carpet (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV7739712%7EC36232%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/86372027/87576902/87576927/87576929/34853741/34866522/56287413/56287593) may be wet or has a musty/mildew odor.
^ The spare tire well may be wet. Cause
This condition may be due to water:
^ Leaking past the rear compartment lid weatherstrip (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV7739712%7EC36232%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/86372027/87576902/87576927/87576929/34853741/34866522/34866523/56285987) on to the carpet (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV7739712%7EC36232%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/86372027/87576902/87576927/87576929/34853741/34866522/56287413/56287593). ^ Getting under the rear compartment lid weatherstrip (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV7739712%7EC36232%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/86372027/87576902/87576927/87576929/34853741/34866522/34866523/56285987) and wicking around to the latch area where it drips into the spare tire well. Correction
Replace the rear compartment lid/opening weatherstrip (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV7739712%7EC36232%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/86372027/87576902/87576927/87576929/34853741/34866522/34866523/56285987). An improved weatherstrip assembly, P/N 25762219, is now available from GMSPO.
Removal Procedure
1. Open the rear compartment lid. http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV7739712%7EC36232%7ER0%7EOB0%7EP3R0H%7EN/0/86372027/87576902/87576927/87576929/34853741/34850750/42063452/121055048/102886445/102886446
2. Remove the rear compartment sill plate. Refer to Compartment Sill Plate Replacement-Rear in the Body Rear End sub-section of the Service Manual. 3. Remove the rear compartment lid/opening weatherstrip (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV7739712%7EC36232%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/86372027/87576902/87576927/87576929/34853741/34866522/34866523/56285987) from the rear compartment opening. 4. Lift the rear compartment lid/opening weatherstrip (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV7739712%7EC36232%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/86372027/87576902/87576927/87576929/34853741/34866522/34866523/56285987) over the rear compartment lid. Installation Procedure
http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV7739712%7EC36232%7ER0%7EOB0%7EP3R0H%7EN/0/86372027/87576902/87576927/87576929/34853741/34850750/42063452/121055048/102886445/102886447
1. Apply a thin bead of GM Weatherstrip (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV7739712%7EC36232%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/86372027/87576902/87576927/87576929/34853741/34866522/34866523/56285987) Adhesive, P/N 12345096 (in Canada, use P/N 10953479), (2) on top of the existing adhesive (1) in the new weatherstrip. Important: Avoid removing the weatherstrip (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV7739712%7EC36232%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/86372027/87576902/87576927/87576929/34853741/34866522/34866523/56285987) after installation. The weatherstrip may not be as effective after the 2nd installation. 2. Position the rear compartment lid/opening weatherstrip (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV7739712%7EC36232%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/86372027/87576902/87576927/87576929/34853741/34866522/34866523/56285987) over the rear compartment lid. 3. Align the paint (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV7739712%7EC36232%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/86372027/87576902/87576927/87576929/34853741/34866522/56289915) dot on the inner edge of the rear compartment lid/opening weatherstrip (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV7739712%7EC36232%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/86372027/87576902/87576927/87576929/34853741/34866522/34866523/56285987) with the front center of the rear compartment opening. 4. Press the rear compartment lid/opening weatherstrip (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV7739712%7EC36232%7ER0%7EOD%7EN/0/86372027/87576902/87576927/87576929/34853741/34866522/34866523/56285987) to the rear compartment opening. 5. Remove any excess adhesive. 6. Install the rear compartment sill plate. Refer to Compartment Sill Plate Replacement-Rear in the Body Rear End sub-section of the Service Manual. 7. Close the rear compartment lid.

Thanks for the post Mike,

Your pictures don't match though (and seem to change with each refresh...) ...

Anyway, trust me, this is one of the rare times that GM's TSB is wrong...

My dealer replaced my gasket too... did NOTHING to fix my leak... the vast majority of these cars leak at the body seams... with a few leaking at the sunroof drains... It is somewhat rare that they leak at the gasket

Even people who have had success with a dealer replacing the gasket will almost always note that the dealer has fixed the body seams as well.

I had the same problem here goldwing, 2002 STS water in trunk . Replaced the trunk seal no help. Found body seam behind left rear light assy had a crack in the factory sealant. Resealed with RTV sealant and its been dry ever since.

Mario
2002 STS
76000 miles

thanks for all the replys, have just removed all carpet from trunk and left it at that. I just wipe up the water after a rain as I am still recovering from back surgery so fixing the leak will just have to wait. Will post final result when I have fixed it, did look at it and the leak seams to be on pasenger side more (body seam) and rear trunk lip, did find sun roof drains to check them yet.
Mike

The dealer did not fix the problem the FIRST time they replaced the weather strip on the trunk. When they replaced it the Second time, the master mechanic found out that all of the OLD gasket material was not properly removed and therefore still caused a leak. He throughly removed the old gasket material and put a Second new seal on the trunk and I have not had a problem since...

Now the water leak I had on the passenger door, which went into the dealer six times and then was there for a month is a different story. THAT one was THREE leaks in the factory seams UNDER the front fender.

Mike

Is this a recall yet so that I can get it fixed for free?

They will not recall it unless it is safety related. Maybe if someone drowns in there.

Nope, the trunk leak thingy was a warranty fix that included new trunk lip gasket, body sealer, and under-window rear rubber flap installation. There was some sort of service bulletin, but I couldn't find a formal TSB for my '02 although the entire fix (most satisfactory) had been done in late '02 under warranty.

My car had the same problems as the one described here, and I had my dealer replace the trunk weatherstripping. So far, so good. The cost for the part on GMPartsDirect is $54 I believe.

GO with Jim D,Remove 4 screws under rear glass,pull off rubber panel.Cut4 squares of one sided sticky sealer,place over 4 plastic anchors. Reverse process.Repair guarnteed

Mine seems to be from the trunk weather stripping, the u-chanel was a lot tighter on one side than the other.

I just re-sealed it to the trunk with some 3-M weather strip glue and it has not leaked once this summer and it has been a very wet summer too.

Thanks
Mike