Section : General

How to stop water getting INSIDE the rear hatch frame 

Posted By : Brendan Delaney, 30-Jul-2007, 09:15am

OK - Problem. Open the hatch and two cups of water pour out of holes in the top lip of the hatch into the car
Not good for interior or the hatch!

I've tried taping the holes, but the water just swills around inside - so its not getting in there.
I've carefully sealed the lock aperture with a fresh rubber and mastic, and it has a cover, so its not that.
The screen surround rubber looks good...
Is there a hole somewhere under the rubber for the lead for the screen heater???
Its not a rust hole!

Any suggestions? Replace the screen rubber with lots of mastic? Has anyone managed to 'cure' this?
Thanks

• How to stop water getting INSIDE the rear hatch frame???????? 

  Posted By : Brendan Delaney, 31-Jul-2007, 09:41am

  No one? Is everyone on holiday, or are all GT6 owners just living with this?
  .....

  • How to stop water getting INSIDE the rear hatch frame???????? 

    Posted By : Colin Lindsay, 31-Jul-2007, 10:24am

    Never had this problem!!
    Have a look at the top edge of your hatch here the hinges are.. are there any 'open' holes ie for wires for the rear screen demister? Is there a hinge screw missing? It's highly unlikely the water is getting in round the screen surround so it's either the lock aperture or the top edge.
    If there are any open holes on the top where water can get in as it runs around the seal? Seal them immediately with a blanking plug or mastic but make sure the hatch is fully dried out first.
    The clue should be where the water runs out from as you open the hatch - if it's coming out it must be able to get in!
    Incidentally - shouldn't there be two drain holes along the bottom edge for water to run out? Are yours blocked or non-existent? Clear them out and the water will run away...
    Colin

    • How to stop water getting INSIDE the rear hatch frame???????? 

      Posted By : Brendan Delaney, 31-Jul-2007, 03:18pm

      Colin,
      Thanks. Had a good look this pm.
      There are two holes at the top that let the water out when it opens, but these are WELL below the level of a NEW seal when its shut, and taping them over didn't stop water getting in.
      No sign of anymissing bolts, grommets etc and the hinges are sealed where they bolt on.
      I've sealed the grommet to the lock, but I suppose it could get in around the stem - I'll put some grease on it.
      The demister wires don't pass through the frame, and there are no signs of any holes at the bottom edge...... ?
      I'd prefer to stop the water getting in rather than drill holes to let it out
      - any more suggestions anyone?

      • How to stop water getting INSIDE the rear hatch frame???????? 

        Posted By : Colin Lindsay, 31-Jul-2007, 09:08pm

        Just been out to inspect mine, and there are no drain holes in the bottom edge either, so that's a bum steer. However mine has two unused holes in the top edge which were for the early rear demister, just to the side of and slightly below the hinges, but they've never let water in as far as I'm aware. I don't believe water can get inside the hatch around the screen rubber so that only leaves the lock area, but it seems like an awful lot of water. Keep the hatch open for a few days at full extent to dry it out then fill it full of Waxoyl to prevent it rusting through until you find the cause.
        Colin

        • How to stop water getting INSIDE the rear hatch frame???????? 

          Posted By : Garth Jupp, 01-Aug-2007, 12:38pm

          Don't do what I did and put too much waxoyl in as it drips out on hot days and makes the rear hatch too heavy to stay up by it's self!!

          • How to stop water getting INSIDE the rear hatch frame???????? 

            Posted By : Andy Cook, 01-Aug-2007, 08:25pm

            I used to get loads of leak problems from th rear hatch with my GT6 and I found out it was because the lip at the top of the rear hatch aperture where the seal fits had corroded and split allowing water in below the seal. I had a new lip fabricated and welded in when I had my bodywork restored. Having said that it still leaks in really heavy rain of if I use a hode directly around the hatch when cleaning the car. Maybe I need a new seal..... (I didn't replace the seal yet!)

            • How to stop water getting INSIDE the rear hatch frame???????? 

              Posted By : Paul Dearing, 02-Aug-2007, 00:35am

              I have a GT6 Mk1 which is totally watertight on the back hatch. Yes, I realise that that this information is about as much use as a chocolate teapot but I would like to add that in a past life I owned a Rover SD1 with this same problem, but scaled up to match the size of the hatch.
              
              After a heavy rain episode I would end up with inches of water in the spare wheel well (appropriately named in this case)
              
              The cause of the problem (and the route to solution) was the leaking of water between the rubber glass seal and the metal hatch framework.
              
              At first I suspected the integrity of the seal between the rubber and the glass. Then I thought the hatch to bodywork rubber seal was wrong. The real problem was identified using talcum powder. Lots of it. Wherever you suspect a leak. peel back the rubber seal and puff in the talc. Wash down with water and let the car dry out completely. You will be able to see water runs disturbing the talc. It also makes the car smell nice.
              
              I invested in a tube of silicone bath sealant and the application gun and squeezed a good amount under the rubber seal using a lolly stick to lift the seal away from the metal hatch frame (wood less likely to damage paint). Worked well although I am glad I didn't have to change the glass later. You may have to remove the plasti-chrome window strip to get enough clearance to get the nozzle between the rubber and the metal frame.
              
              Isn't "nozzle" a wonderful word?