Worst fear confirmed, water in trunk
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Worst fear confirmed, water in trunk
So, as I started picking up a few upgrades for my car I noticed something strange and wet... ugh...
Under the spare tire I had water, lots of water. Now being tjis seems to be a common occurrence with these cars and I hAve read numerous posts on this but I want to revisit this and keep all possible causes in one post.
So without me dragging this on what could cause this troublesome issue?
I have read something about rear hatch vent but I don't know where they are located and how to get to them, providing that is the reason why water is coming in. Help??
Under the spare tire I had water, lots of water. Now being tjis seems to be a common occurrence with these cars and I hAve read numerous posts on this but I want to revisit this and keep all possible causes in one post.
So without me dragging this on what could cause this troublesome issue?
I have read something about rear hatch vent but I don't know where they are located and how to get to them, providing that is the reason why water is coming in. Help??
#2
General & DIY Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
iTrader: (64)
Don't freak out- just take out all the carpet, rear spare/tools/jack and all the packing material. Dry everything out and if you need to look for a rubber plug at the bottom of the spare tire well to drain the compartment. As for vents, the only ones I know of are low and on the sides of the trunk, towards the back bumper corners.
Zs are pretty watertight. Have you driven through any deep pools or puddles that could cause this flooding? Heavy rains lately?
Zs are pretty watertight. Have you driven through any deep pools or puddles that could cause this flooding? Heavy rains lately?
#3
Registered User
Thread Starter
Hey Dk, I took everything thing out but that black packing material, the material that holds the spare tools and jack, as for the reason why, it's simple.. for the life of me I couldn't figure out a way to remove them. I took off the black clip and as usual, when I take clips off I could never get them back on..
As for the drain at the bottom of the spare tire well, I did see that and all looked good.. is this something I should silicone just to be on the safe side?
What else should I look for? God I hate when this happens.. I had an 06 Mustang that did this and it drove me nuts..
As for rain, yes, we pretty much had a Monsoon over the weekend in Staten Island..
As for the drain at the bottom of the spare tire well, I did see that and all looked good.. is this something I should silicone just to be on the safe side?
What else should I look for? God I hate when this happens.. I had an 06 Mustang that did this and it drove me nuts..
As for rain, yes, we pretty much had a Monsoon over the weekend in Staten Island..
Don't freak out- just take out all the carpet, rear spare/tools/jack and all the packing material. Dry everything out and if you need to look for a rubber plug at the bottom of the spare tire well to drain the compartment. As for vents, the only ones I know of are low and on the sides of the trunk, towards the back bumper corners.
Zs are pretty watertight. Have you driven through any deep pools or puddles that could cause this flooding? Heavy rains lately?
Zs are pretty watertight. Have you driven through any deep pools or puddles that could cause this flooding? Heavy rains lately?
#4
General & DIY Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
iTrader: (64)
No need to silicone the bottom plug. It's there in case you need to drain the rear floor. The water is probably coming in from the side vents that are located under the rear bumper. You want those vents open to provide ventilation for the rear hatch section. As for preventing water intrusion, stay out of deep water. Drive another car or wait until the rainwater recedes from the streets.
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Nico1970 (05-16-2017)
#7
Registered User
Thread Starter
When you save "under the rear bumper" does that mean I have to remove the bumper to have access to them? Or doing it the old-fashioned way, getting under the car or putting it on my buddy lift...
What's crazy is the fact that I have lower control arms and there is no way I can even get my head on them.
But back to the side vents, do these vents close over time
They get clogged and it's something I have to clean from time to time ?
I'm wondering being that they are more than likely the original vents and my car is a 04, maybe I should buy new ones, good or bad idea?
What's crazy is the fact that I have lower control arms and there is no way I can even get my head on them.
But back to the side vents, do these vents close over time
They get clogged and it's something I have to clean from time to time ?
I'm wondering being that they are more than likely the original vents and my car is a 04, maybe I should buy new ones, good or bad idea?
No need to silicone the bottom plug. It's there in case you need to drain the rear floor. The water is probably coming in from the side vents that are located under the rear bumper. You want those vents open to provide ventilation for the rear hatch section. As for preventing water intrusion, stay out of deep water. Drive another car or wait until the rainwater recedes from the streets.
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#8
Registered User
Thread Starter
Hi, yes I have the factory stereo. When you say remove the little black screws are you talking about the screws that are holding in that black styrofoam? I Tried that, for some reason that didn't budge, and I think there's only one screw holding in the black styrofoam.
#10
Registered User
Thread Starter
Do I have to take the sides out first? Or does the styrofoam come put without removing those 2 screws that are on the side..
God.. how I wish you guys lived right around the block from me, lol.
God.. how I wish you guys lived right around the block from me, lol.
#11
6 inch cawk is my fave!
iTrader: (3)
I wouldn't worry about those vents they plastic and don't really need cleaning or replacing unless something made a nest or something in them.
As for the panels remove the black plastic, then remove the side molded pieces and then you should be able to lift up on the Styrofoam pieces...
You could be getting water in from your wiper hole, your tail lights, seal around hatch it's unlikely the water came from below unless you went into a really deep puddle.
You will see the vents as soon as the Styrofoam is out. The factory amp is directly under the drivers side Styrofoam.
As for the panels remove the black plastic, then remove the side molded pieces and then you should be able to lift up on the Styrofoam pieces...
You could be getting water in from your wiper hole, your tail lights, seal around hatch it's unlikely the water came from below unless you went into a really deep puddle.
You will see the vents as soon as the Styrofoam is out. The factory amp is directly under the drivers side Styrofoam.
#12
Registered User
Hey Dk, I took everything thing out but that black packing material, the material that holds the spare tools and jack, as for the reason why, it's simple.. for the life of me I couldn't figure out a way to remove them. I took off the black clip and as usual, when I take clips off I could never get them back on..
As for the drain at the bottom of the spare tire well, I did see that and all looked good.. is this something I should silicone just to be on the safe side?
What else should I look for? God I hate when this happens.. I had an 06 Mustang that did this and it drove me nuts..
As for rain, yes, we pretty much had a Monsoon over the weekend in Staten Island..
As for the drain at the bottom of the spare tire well, I did see that and all looked good.. is this something I should silicone just to be on the safe side?
What else should I look for? God I hate when this happens.. I had an 06 Mustang that did this and it drove me nuts..
As for rain, yes, we pretty much had a Monsoon over the weekend in Staten Island..
#13
New Member
iTrader: (4)
It might also have been coming in from shock towers. Have a look there. Stock setup has some type of paper-like gasket there.
If the shocks have been replaced and there are no gaskets, water might get in, especially since that surface where the shock mount sits isn't always perfectly flat on our cars.
If the shocks have been replaced and there are no gaskets, water might get in, especially since that surface where the shock mount sits isn't always perfectly flat on our cars.
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Nico1970 (05-17-2017)
#14
General & DIY Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
iTrader: (64)
When you save "under the rear bumper" does that mean I have to remove the bumper to have access to them? Or doing it the old-fashioned way, getting under the car or putting it on my buddy lift...
What's crazy is the fact that I have lower control arms and there is no way I can even get my head on them.
But back to the side vents, do these vents close over time
They get clogged and it's something I have to clean from time to time ?
I'm wondering being that they are more than likely the original vents and my car is a 04, maybe I should buy new ones, good or bad idea?
What's crazy is the fact that I have lower control arms and there is no way I can even get my head on them.
But back to the side vents, do these vents close over time
They get clogged and it's something I have to clean from time to time ?
I'm wondering being that they are more than likely the original vents and my car is a 04, maybe I should buy new ones, good or bad idea?
BTW- water intrusion from those areas only happens if you're driving through deep water. WARNING: Our Z's were not designed to be small boats, DON'T try driving in deep water or fording small streams.
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Atreyu'z 350 (05-17-2017)
#16
New Member
You could always try to replicate the situation with a hose. Then you'd know for sure. Dry out all of the existing water first, then hose down the top for a minute or two(not crazy forceful, just uniform). Check for leaks. If there's none, then it's most likely coming in from the bottom around those vents since gravity would act as your friend here. Then it would narrow the occurrence down to just being your mistake of going through a deep puddle. No biggie. Good luck.
-Matt
-Matt
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Nico1970 (05-17-2017)
#17
Registered User
Thread Starter
Excellent, ugh.. how I hate taking car parts apart, I'm telling you for the life of me I could neeeever put it back te right way.. but, I'll give it te ole collage try, lol...
I will keep you updated,, many O thanks my friend...
I will keep you updated,, many O thanks my friend...
I wouldn't worry about those vents they plastic and don't really need cleaning or replacing unless something made a nest or something in them.
As for the panels remove the black plastic, then remove the side molded pieces and then you should be able to lift up on the Styrofoam pieces...
You could be getting water in from your wiper hole, your tail lights, seal around hatch it's unlikely the water came from below unless you went into a really deep puddle.
You will see the vents as soon as the Styrofoam is out. The factory amp is directly under the drivers side Styrofoam.
As for the panels remove the black plastic, then remove the side molded pieces and then you should be able to lift up on the Styrofoam pieces...
You could be getting water in from your wiper hole, your tail lights, seal around hatch it's unlikely the water came from below unless you went into a really deep puddle.
You will see the vents as soon as the Styrofoam is out. The factory amp is directly under the drivers side Styrofoam.
#18
Registered User
Thread Starter
I Deserve it? That's kinda rough lol.. I hear you though... I'm gonna take everything in the trunk apart and go with a hose and water, if all good then i guess for future reference, I won't turn my car into a boat, lol..
Thanks man..
Thanks man..
#19
Registered User
Thread Starter
Hey brother, yup.. Staten island here.. I live on Arthur kill and Annandale... how long you have your Z?