- My model of MX-5 is: _2017 ND
- I’m based near: __N West
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Ingress of water __
I live in a house with a fairly steep drive up. My ND is a daily drive and without a garage, she’s stood outside all year round and last winter, I don’t recall having any ingress of water in the boot. This year, for several weeks the boot has been damp and yesterday I took out the carpet to dry it as it was literally dripping wet. The only change to last year is that I’ve been parking nose up this year as opposed to reverse parking pointing down. I regularly check the drains and they’re all clear and I’m wondering if consensus is that she should be parked nose down always? Thoughts? It’s all dried up for now but I’ll be keeping an eye on it with all the rain we’ve been having.
Could it be an accumulation of condensation?
Strategically placed paper towels may help to identify exactly where it is coming from.
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It’s crazy that the mx is on its fourth generation and about its 8th variant and there is still water getting into the cars that could of been designed out over time. Not helpful to you I know but baffling nonetheless.
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Keeping with heritage and the blue print!! There quirks lol
The spongey interior was sopping wet Malc and I’d been aware of moisture for several weeks. It was only upon removing the carpet when I saw the inch of water underneath. I’ve dried everything out now and started parking nose down on the sloping drive to see if this helps. But as Dean mentions below, it’s poor in this day/age that ingress of water is still happening. Not to worry, bigger things going on in the world right now eh? Best regards. Mark
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Since i had my drivers seat puddle i have two desiccant bags that you can microwave when they full or past there best. i keep them in there and i put my car on a nose high level. also have a cover now to help
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Sorry to hear about your problem. All generations suffer at some point I’m sure. I found a discussion on a similar issue with the MK3.5 (yes they can leak too) some of which might be relevant to the mk4.
We Use these in our car parked out side they seem to do the trick and we had the same ones now for the 6th year……however with the amount of water your getting maybe not …….
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If you park the nose up the practically all the roof water will shed via the tub. If the drains are surcharged in very heavy rain you will get water in somewhere. T’other way round most will go off the front and the drains will be less challenged.
Try a half cover, the Mazda one is good and covers the rim of the tub. It won’t damage the paint if you wipe round the paint it touches when you put it on. I keep a microfibre cloth and a waterless wash spray in the car for this purpose.
Or “Features”.
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Hi John,
After a couple weeks parking t’other way round I’m happy to say that this morning, there was no water in the boot. So perhaps, this was the problem…parking nose uphill was overwhelming the drains. Going to keep an eye as we have frequent, heavy rainfall up here in’t Ribble Valley but, fingers crossed. Cheers.
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I have a friend with an ND down south. She had this problem but her ND was under warranty. Contact the Mazda dealer they will advise you.
Mine leaked into the boot from the gasket around the rear lights. Renewed them both and no more trouble.
My 2010 NC Sport Tec was leaking via the rubberised grommet that takes the boot ‘lid’ wiring into the boot itself, which had become loose (‘unscrewed’).
Less than half a clockwise turn stopped the leak instantly 
I have a 2018 ND, parked on drive all year. Definitely recommend a half cover, especially during winter months. And a full cover if parked up for a few weeks or more (with a battery maintainer as well). Here’s where I get mine:
I’ve had several types of half cover since 2011. The most successful has been the official Mazda one for the ND, a thin silvered material that looks insubstantial but has lasted really well including 2 winters outside before the car was garaged. The least good was the classic editions one with long elastic chin straps, which soon lost their goodness., and didn’t stay on very well in strong winds. The Moss ‘Duravent’ one was the best value although it’s gone up a bit - seems still to be available for Mk1 & 3.
@RichardFX 's recommendation to run hot soapy water several times through the drains every now and then has worked for me.
Not only does it clear the drains out, it also seems to have restored the sealing of the flap valves, so much reduced road noise.
Win/win.
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Thanks Richard. I’ve just done it and will do it regularly from now on. Cheers.
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