- My model of MX-5 is: NC2 Sport Tech 2011 retractable hard top
- I’m based near: Hertfordshire
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Boot leak above wheel arch
Hi all,
I have been investigating a really annoying boot leak. It doesn’t seem to be roof drains or brake lights, as the water comes down onto the wheel arch inside the boot (right hand/drivers side only), and then pools and runs further down into the main boot area.
I have linked two videos below (slightly poor and shaky) that I took to try and look into the tighter areas - does anyone have any idea what is above this area that might cause water ingress?
TIA!
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Have you had the high level brake light off and sealed it. This is a common leak
I’m probably on the wrong track here but is it possible it might be condensation?
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I did think this - I wasn’t so sure as I had a good feel right underneath the light - there was no sign of water at all nearby it, but I might end up sealing it anyway just to make sure.
I did think that to begin with, but it definitely flows through reasonably freely when the car is hosed down (and the same with very heavy rain).
It does create a bit of a vicious cycle, because the water that finds it way inside does eventually condense on the boot lid, but I think the source is definitely an external leak somewhere unfortunately.
Yeah, did thorough check of that - unfortunately the water comes in further towards the front of the car than that. I removed and thoroughly tightened the base back in place, no leaks there that I can see, but definitely was worth checking.
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One thing I have done to trace leaks, with some success, is mark lines across supect areas with chalk and see what gets washed away …
otherwise - radio arial, boot lid bolts?
I have quite a steep driveway outside my house. If I drive the car in ( boot down) I get a small leak, If I reverse up I don’t think it leaks, or maybe not so badly. Haven’t go it wet whilst parked flat for a while.
Car usually get parked in a garage though.
Thanks for the tip - might need to use it at this rate.
Also have sloping driveway with similar results! Just want to get it fixed so I don’t need to bother faffing about when parking!
Apologies if this is dragging up an old thread.
So I purchased a set of new gaskets for the tear lights. I only got water on the LH side of the car so for now have only replaced the LH light gasket. The leak from there seems to have stopped.
However I have found another one !
Only small but it isn’t going to fix itself. I left my car out on the drive for just over a week whilst working away. Luckily it was one of the wettest weeks in July 2023. I lined the boot with blue paper however it was damp and partially dry so unable to pinpoint the leak.
Just had another go whilst washing the car this afternoon. I removed the metal fiture in the boot covering the fuel tank hoses.
I now suspect that the drain hose for the fuel filler cap might be prime suspect or something above it. At least I am making some progress. Pictures attached for ref.
Maybe the grommet is leaking around the cable entry into the boot…
Finally isolated it down to the drainage pipe from the refuling cap compartment to the plastic fitting in the boot.
I am sure that the lower connection is the source as the paper towel wrapped around the pipe wasn’t wet but the base was.
Also attached paper towel to other ‘hanging down’ type components e.g. wiring from grommets, attachment bolts, etc.
Luckily we had a sustained heavy rainstorm all last night in the East Midlands to assist me…
I was going to seal the pipe with silicon adhesive which is a bit permanent so trying plumbers grease first of all. I will seal it up with adhesive if it comes back. It is only a tiny, tiny annoying leak anyway.
