Spare tire well on my '98 a rust bucket

[SCOTTDW]

Sometime (must have been around two years ago) the wheel well was exposed to alot of water. The jack and spare wheel are now starting to rust and the pad under the wheel is soaked. No sign of any existing moisture in the trunk other than in the bottom of the well. I guess the trunk must have been left open in a substantial downpour. This is kind of a mystery because the only wet area was the bottom pad. I do not think water could spray up from under the car. Anyways the whole area is now alive with WD-40 and other under investigation. Quite startling though to witness the travesty of a rusting jack.

Scott
98SF
K&N Panel
Magnaflows 3"tips
BFGoodrich KDWS

<small>[ April 28, 2002, 10:47 PM: Message edited by: SCOTTDW ]</small>

 

[RStalveyARFF]

Karen's (shogirl) 99 seems to already have a weatherstripping leak. The spare tire has some rust on it, and the particle board sheet that fits over the well is always soaked after rain, including the carpet above.

 

[stephen newberg]

I looked closely at my spare tire well in fall, since I was trying to figure out if I could get a full size spare in there. Dry as a bone and no sign of any rust. I do think I remember seeing a fluid drain plug though. If they got knocked out, I would think you could kick a lot of water into the well just from driving wet roads. Might be worth a check.

pax, smn

 

[SCOTTDW]

I checked the drain plug and all is secure...I did remember that about a year ago I had to replace the right side taillamp due to condensation (it leaked). Since there was no evidence of recent leakage this might have been the problem. Will see what the next rain brings. As an afterthought, I also noticed the very rear weather strip, right in the middle, had about a half inch gap. I do not think this is a factor but I have my eye on it.

Scott
98SF
K&N Panel
Magnaflows 3"tips
BFGoodrich KDWS

<small>[ April 29, 2002, 10:04 PM: Message edited by: SCOTTDW ]</small>

 

[SCOTTDW]

Erik, sounds like you might have a serious weather seal problem if every rain seems to contribute to the leakage. I do not think the weather seal is my problem although I will let you know when I eventually resolve this. You would think that leaks in the trunk area would have been corrected long ago in these cars. Thanks for the input.

Scott
98SF
K&N Panel
Magnaflows 3"tips
BFGoodrich KDWS

 

[SCOTTDW]

Several hard rains have come and gone,and happy to report the trunk is dry. Must have been related to the condensation problem in the right tail lamp last year.

Scott
98SF
K&N Panel
Magnaflows 3"tips
BFGoodrich KDWS

 

[SHOZ123]

Might have been a flooded SHO at one time.

 

[SCOTTDW]

Only wet area was the mat under the spare...hopefully that would rule out the flooded SHO scenario.

Scott
98SF
K&N Panel
Magnaflows 3"tips
BFGoodrich KDWS

 

[Bryan C. King]

Take your car to a car wash and lay in the trunk with a flashlight, You might be able to find it, I've done it in the past and it worked.........

 

[Rob94]

LMFAO.....just have a buddy or significant other to let you out afterwards.

 

[98shotoy]

Actually have your wife do it if she is having one of those "bad" days and "forget" to let her out....just tell her the only way it works is if she stays in there for a longer period of time!!!

 

[Croaker]

Don't know about you guys...But I got a rear fold down seat in mine (I don't trust my wife).
thumbs_u

-Kevin

 

[SCOTTDW]

Getting close to supper time I guess I should get her out of there and see what's what.. thumbs_u

Scott
98SF
K&N Panel
Magnaflows 3"tips
BFGoodrich KDWS

 

[stephen newberg]

Seems to me a bunch of you are assuming your wives / significant others do not check out this forum. What is that old phrase about to assume? Makes an ass of u and me?

pax, smn

<small>[ May 14, 2002, 06:13 AM: Message edited by: stephen newberg ]</small>

 

[SCOTTDW]

Well after nearly 2 months of thinking all is well my spare tire well is frigging wet again. Last two days I was in hard rain. There is no moisture other than in the bottom of the well...and the drain plug is totally secure. Absoutely no moisture in the trunk except in the bottom of the well. So I am going to let the dealer run his test on monday. Will let you know. (I have a warranty but let us see if this is covered)

Scott
98SF
K&N Panel
Magnaflows 3"tips
BFGoodrich KDWS

 

[stephen newberg]

Condensation maybe? Anyway, I'd like to know the result, when you have one.

pax, smn

 

[mofosho]

stephen newberg:
Condensation maybe? Anyway, I'd like to know the result, when you have one.

pax, smn

Hey, what offset are your 17 inch rims? Thanks

 

[stephen newberg]

"Hey, what offset are your 17 inch rims? Thanks"

35 mm, I believe.

pax, smn

 

[SCOTTDW]

The latest update on this was a weatherstip was not intact in the rear of the trunk...and it was NOT covered by warranty,. This leak took three attempts by the dealer to find...each time they thought they had it. I think it is finally sealed, but it is an extremely tricky diagnosis...and they will not replace a rusted spare tire because it is still "fully functional"...and in all fairness this spare tire was pretty well ok..But all you guys need to pull back the covers and check your trunk cavities. And if wet forget about your ESPs if it is weatherstripping.

Scott
98SF
K&N Panel
Magnaflows 3"tips
BFGoodrich KDWS .

<small>[ August 03, 2002, 11:39 PM: Message edited by: SCOTTDW ]</small>