Story - I noticed last winter when removing something from the trunk that my spare tire was half engulfed in a solid block of ice surrounding it in the spare tire well. When it warmed up enough to melt I removed the plug in the well to drain it out but noticed water would return whenever it rained. I chalked it up as a bad trunk seal and ordered a new one.

Fast forward to about a month ago - I finally get around to remembering I had the new trunk seal so I installed it. The car was parked for a few days this past weekend and we had a good amount of rain, the next morning I went to grab a coffee and noticed a large amount of water that poured out from the trunk well (I had kept the plug removed due to the buildup) so it obviously was not the trunk seal? Are there any other known points of entry for water to get into and collect in the trunk that I am unaware of?

 

For me it was when after i installed my SE tails. There was a gap between the body and the tails so I sealed it with clear silicon, problem solved. If you haven't replaced your tails like I did then I would try to poor water down the back window of your car with the truck open and closed. To see if could possible find the leak that way.

 

Very good possibility that it is a tail light assembly that is leaking. Water that runs off the roof and down the back window is channeled beneath the trunk lid on both sides of the opening and pours out on the tail light assemblies.

You should also check for water build-up in the bottom of the rear fenders as the water runs in both directions from the tail light. There is a rubber flapper valve in the fender to let water out, but they can get plugged up.

 

This.

I hated 02-03 tails so I sold them here and bought new black SE tails to replace them. Noticed my trunk was filling with water also. Lined taillights with black silicone sealant all around edges and problem disappeared.

 

You know I do have the black SE tails but I have had them almost since the day I bought the car back in 2007...however I did get in a minor fender bender 2 years ago where someone clipped the left corner and I had to replace the tail light...I suppose the problem could have started there and I just didn't notice the water build up for a while. Great suggestion, thanks guys I will take a look!

 

99% of the time, it's the tail light seal - good luck

Oh and if your spare tire cover got all soggy from the water, I've got a nice replacement, check my sig

 

Thanks,

The spare cover hasn't gotten wet, probably because I've not had carpet in the trunk for a while now. I remember seeing your product a while back, I do have the problem of my sub box always sitting at an angle which is pretty annoying

 

Thats good that it's not wet. Pretty much disintegrates when it does get wet

Sent you a PM in case you were curious about pricing.