Shrinking rear window molding.

have you tried pouring water down the back windshield and surrounding areas with the trunk open so you can watch for holes?

We did it with the trunk closed and a guy in the trunk.

What were the results? Was the person in the trunk able to identify where the leak was coming from?

Yes behind that black plastic piece but I guess there's still an issue.

Here is an update. I just got back from the body shop and he lifted up the trunk and it does not look like the trunk hinges we're leaking at all but he did reseal the holes. He also lifted up that rubber gasket that goes from the trunk almost to the back doors, scraped out all the seam sealer and put new. I was really hoping I was going to see a hole or some smoking gun to say ahh that's it but I hope this works.
If this doesn't work the only thing we can think of is its getting underneath the gasket of the rear window. Does this ever happen? I got in the trunk with a flashlight and there are no big stain marks or trail of with water is entering.

carguy8888 wrote:

If this doesn't work the only thing we can think of is its getting underneath the gasket of the rear window. Does this ever happen? I got in the trunk with a flashlight and there are no big stain marks or trail of with water is entering.

No. It's the seam under/around the hinge that you've already been told about. If water was getting in through the window seal, you'd have water inside the cabin. Many, many Rivs have had this problem. there is no hole, there is no "AHA", it's the seam, or water getting in through the bolt holes. Take the hinge off, clean the area underneath, put a bead of sealer down, and reinstall the hinge.

Abaddon wrote:

carguy8888 wrote:

If this doesn't work the only thing we can think of is its getting underneath the gasket of the rear window. Does this ever happen? I got in the trunk with a flashlight and there are no big stain marks or trail of with water is entering.

u
No. It's the seam under/around the hinge that you've already been told about. If water was getting in through the window seal, you'd have water inside the cabin. Many, many Rivs have had this problem. there is no hole, there is no "AHA", it's the seam, or water getting in through the bolt holes. Take the hinge off, clean the area underneath, put a bead of sealer down, and reinstall the hinge.

..the insight here is the water can twist and turn a bit as it drips down. It will not be apparent until you actually remove the hinge, only then you'll see the silt the water left behind as it wandered down.

The other things that come to mind are (a) you'll have to remove the trunk liner to see the water (b) because the seam catches and holds the water it's sometimes the case that you flood the area with water and see no drips right then, then later when the water finally wends its way through stuff is wet and you're saying "What?? What??"

Finally, if you *did* take off the trunk lid and hinges it would be a lot easier to check the seams all around including under the window.

Albert

My guy did take off the trunk hinges and seal the holes. I guess I was just looking for a rust Mark or something to say oh that's it but maybe I got it. Good to know that I don't have to deal with the window because it will leak inside the car. All of the max are still out and I guess time will tell or I will have to get in the car again and try and see if I can find a trail but I did look pretty good. thank you both for great help, sometimes things don't translate in type the same as when you speak them.

I had the same problem.  The big leak was around the trunk hinges and I also had to replace the dried up seam sealer in the joint next to the hinges.

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t6869p100-faq-wet-carpet-interior-leak-problems

My car is out in the rain now so I guess we'll see what happens lol.

carguy8888 wrote:

My guy did take off the trunk hinges and seal the holes. I guess I was just looking for a rust Mark or something to say oh that's it but maybe I got it. Good to know that I don't have to deal with the window because it will leak inside the car. All of the max are still out and I guess time will tell or I will have to get in the car again and try and see if I can find a trail but I did look pretty good. thank you both for great help, sometimes things don't translate in type the same as when you speak them.

It's not an easy problem.

I may be close? During the latest rainy day the spots were dry below the hinges but there was still water in the spare tire well. My handy buddy & I went to a gas station with a self serve car wash. He must have been facing the other way when I was blasting the back of the car with the pressurized water. He found water entering through the rear body panel above the tail lights hidden in the corner just below the trunk lid. He cleaned it and put some por 15 on it, one night this week we will seal it with silicone and hopefully it is good so I can concentrate on something else lol. Thank you everybody for the help and I will update once I know something.

carguy8888 wrote:

I may be close? During the latest rainy day the spots were dry below the hinges but there was still water in the spare tire well. My handy buddy & I went to a gas station with a self serve car wash. He must have been facing the other way when I was blasting the back of the car with the pressurized water. He found water entering through the rear body panel above the tail lights hidden in the corner just below the trunk lid. He cleaned it and put some por 15 on it, one night this week we will seal it with silicone and hopefully it is good so I can concentrate on something else lol. Thank you everybody for the help and I will update once I know something.  

...sounds like multiple points of entry. Good troubleshooting so far. You may not be done.

Thank you, I think I got it. I blasted it again at the car wash wit the pressure hose and it stayed dry so I put humpty dumpty back together.