Help with Suzuki Swift MKIII 2006 (boot leak)
Discussion
Hi,
Just bought my mum's 2006 Suzuki Swift from her yesterday and emptied everything out.
Upon checking the spare space-saver tyre, I found it was swamped with a lot of smelly old water and there was a fair bit of corrision to the spare wheel. However, there is no water visible on the top of the boot carpet.
I managed to sponge all of this out and now want to investigate how this ingress happened.
I felt around the inside of the boot and felt that the near right side of the boot was slightly damp on the floor and on the wall.
I then looked at the rear brake light area and noticed a gap between the bottom of the light and the rest of the car.
I doubt that the screw being rusty there is a co-incidence!
Further, the driver's foot well (right-hand drive) carpet has a portion that is damp. We've never noticed it before because we had mats down but when I bought the car I took all the mats out.
I wonder if anyone has any ideas?
Thank you.
Just bought my mum's 2006 Suzuki Swift from her yesterday and emptied everything out.
Upon checking the spare space-saver tyre, I found it was swamped with a lot of smelly old water and there was a fair bit of corrision to the spare wheel. However, there is no water visible on the top of the boot carpet.
I managed to sponge all of this out and now want to investigate how this ingress happened.
I felt around the inside of the boot and felt that the near right side of the boot was slightly damp on the floor and on the wall.
I then looked at the rear brake light area and noticed a gap between the bottom of the light and the rest of the car.
I doubt that the screw being rusty there is a co-incidence!
Further, the driver's foot well (right-hand drive) carpet has a portion that is damp. We've never noticed it before because we had mats down but when I bought the car I took all the mats out.
I wonder if anyone has any ideas?
Thank you.
Welcome to PH
Quick Google suggests it might be the Seal for the Rear Light.
The dampness in the front is likely the water coming through from the Boot.
My Neighbour asked me to look at his front Passenger side Carpet as it was very wet.
Was caused by a hole on the Drivers side rear inner Wing.
Quick Google suggests it might be the Seal for the Rear Light.
The dampness in the front is likely the water coming through from the Boot.
My Neighbour asked me to look at his front Passenger side Carpet as it was very wet.
Was caused by a hole on the Drivers side rear inner Wing.
That picture makes it look as if there is a gap under the light cover which connects to the inside of the car. If that's the case it should be very obvious when you take the cover off. In that case you may be able to find a way to seal that off with duct tape so that any water finding its way into the gap can only drain back out again.
I’m pretty sure the rear lights are sealed units and the only entry point to the car is a cable in the middle going through a grommet in the body.
You get the unit off by undoing the screws and pulling sideways away from the car.
I don’t think that’s your problem.
There is an air vent under there which can come loose, particularly if someone has run parking sensor cable through it.
Best thing to do is take off the rear trim which isn’t as hard as it sounds but you may have to remove the rear seats too, again not difficult. Just be methodical.
You can then get in the car and have someone spray a hose over the back. You should see pretty quickly where it’s leaking.
The front leak may be something as simple as blocked scuttle drains.
You get the unit off by undoing the screws and pulling sideways away from the car.
I don’t think that’s your problem.
There is an air vent under there which can come loose, particularly if someone has run parking sensor cable through it.
Best thing to do is take off the rear trim which isn’t as hard as it sounds but you may have to remove the rear seats too, again not difficult. Just be methodical.
You can then get in the car and have someone spray a hose over the back. You should see pretty quickly where it’s leaking.
The front leak may be something as simple as blocked scuttle drains.
Thank you for the replies so far and for the warm welcome!
If anyone else has any additional thoughts please do let me know.
I'm not a car person by any means and don't wanna start pulling bits of my car to pieces, I'm more after any possibe explanations.
Anyone else reckon the footwell issue is linked to the boot leak? I'm hoping it's not two isolated issues! More £££ to fix :-(
Regards,
Edan
If anyone else has any additional thoughts please do let me know.
I'm not a car person by any means and don't wanna start pulling bits of my car to pieces, I'm more after any possibe explanations.
Anyone else reckon the footwell issue is linked to the boot leak? I'm hoping it's not two isolated issues! More £££ to fix :-(
Regards,
Edan
Bit late to the party, but I've gone through the same thing this weekend after finding a wheel well full of skanky water.
After spending days Googleing, the only thing that came up was this thread.
Found it was the bracket that holds the gas strut that was letting water in, channeling it into the boot. The top bolt was clean on the outside, but the thread was pretty rusty.
Cleaned it out and covered the thing in silicone to seal it up.
After spending days Googleing, the only thing that came up was this thread.
Found it was the bracket that holds the gas strut that was letting water in, channeling it into the boot. The top bolt was clean on the outside, but the thread was pretty rusty.
Cleaned it out and covered the thing in silicone to seal it up.
Thought I'd add my pain to this thread in case anyone spots it and has ideas.
Water gets in behind the upper welded in panels, on the drivers side it runs down the small section pictured, on the passenger side I've seen it drip from the small clip hole I've pointed at. The car is parked on a slight slope so the rear end is lower than the front.
So far I've been throwing tiger seal at it and had no luck.
I've sealed:
Small grommet above the rear light clusters.
Between the car body and rear hatch strut mounting plates.
In the bolt holes for the strut mounting plate + used a rubber washer on them.
Body side of the upper wiring/washer fluid grommet.
Hatch side of the upper wiring/washer fluid grommet.
Central grommet on the underside/top of the hatch.
A short run of sealant along the drivers roof rail.
I did tidy up some of the rust on the boot floor so at least the water has somewhere nice to sit now!
Someone on Facebook mentioned they had the same issue and a garage "cleaned the drain holes" to solve it. God know where drain holes would be in this area?
Water gets in behind the upper welded in panels, on the drivers side it runs down the small section pictured, on the passenger side I've seen it drip from the small clip hole I've pointed at. The car is parked on a slight slope so the rear end is lower than the front.
So far I've been throwing tiger seal at it and had no luck.
I've sealed:
Small grommet above the rear light clusters.
Between the car body and rear hatch strut mounting plates.
In the bolt holes for the strut mounting plate + used a rubber washer on them.
Body side of the upper wiring/washer fluid grommet.
Hatch side of the upper wiring/washer fluid grommet.
Central grommet on the underside/top of the hatch.
A short run of sealant along the drivers roof rail.
I did tidy up some of the rust on the boot floor so at least the water has somewhere nice to sit now!
Someone on Facebook mentioned they had the same issue and a garage "cleaned the drain holes" to solve it. God know where drain holes would be in this area?
So after a few more suggestions that didn't really get me anywhere I ended up using some flashing (waterproof) tape over different parts to test where it was getting in. This meant I could pool water against the bodywork rather than it just running straight off.
First I put it across the back of the roof rail and poured some water into it, as far as I could tell it was leaking in at the back corner of the roof (where the cracked paint is in the below pic with masking tape on), no water was going down around the boot shut but I could see it leaking inside. So I tried sealing over the cracked paint both sides and dried the boot out. There was a small amount of water in there the next day but I poured, hosed and pressure washed the car down and nothing got in as far as I could tell. Thinking it was the corners of the roof all along I pulled the grommets out that I had sealed up, cleaned the sealant off and refitted. I also undid the boot strut bolts and took off the rubber washers I had tried on them as they were already perishing.
Fired some water at it again and it was getting back in. Resealed around the grommets, tested again, still getting in. Flash taped around the bolt holes and pooled some water in there, leaked in. Went and bought some outdoor frame sealant (silicone based) filled the holes, refitted the bolts and it appears to have cured it.
As far as I can tell the high point on the passenger side where it was getting in (where I'm pointing in the last post) has been cured although I never really got a definitive answer on where that was coming from.
So yeah, if you're struggling to figure out where it's getting in get some waterproof tape to test first and save driving yourself insane!
First I put it across the back of the roof rail and poured some water into it, as far as I could tell it was leaking in at the back corner of the roof (where the cracked paint is in the below pic with masking tape on), no water was going down around the boot shut but I could see it leaking inside. So I tried sealing over the cracked paint both sides and dried the boot out. There was a small amount of water in there the next day but I poured, hosed and pressure washed the car down and nothing got in as far as I could tell. Thinking it was the corners of the roof all along I pulled the grommets out that I had sealed up, cleaned the sealant off and refitted. I also undid the boot strut bolts and took off the rubber washers I had tried on them as they were already perishing.
Fired some water at it again and it was getting back in. Resealed around the grommets, tested again, still getting in. Flash taped around the bolt holes and pooled some water in there, leaked in. Went and bought some outdoor frame sealant (silicone based) filled the holes, refitted the bolts and it appears to have cured it.
As far as I can tell the high point on the passenger side where it was getting in (where I'm pointing in the last post) has been cured although I never really got a definitive answer on where that was coming from.
So yeah, if you're struggling to figure out where it's getting in get some waterproof tape to test first and save driving yourself insane!
Edited by Jonnio on Monday 31st May 18:32
Ive had the same troubles, water entering my Swift 2006 from somewhere behind the panels. No not the door rubber, dont think its from the rear lights. Ive stuck my hand behind the panels, just about the backseat bracket, which holds the back seat up, and water is definitely present, but where does it come from? Does anyone have an idea?
I had a similar problem. I solved it by removing the plastic cover from the end of the trunk. There's a vent hole there. There is a plastic container that I bent a little to prevent it from being filled with too much water, simply so that it would empty quickly. I also put silicone on the joint between the bumper and the body, to prevent the penetration of a large amount of water. I hope it will help someone.
Jonnio said:
So after a few more suggestions that didn't really get me anywhere I ended up using some flashing (waterproof) tape over different parts to test where it was getting in. This meant I could pool water against the bodywork rather than it just running straight off.
Hi Jonnio, what brand of flashing tape did you use? Did it cause any issues with the paintwork when trying to take it off?I'm having the exact same issue as you, water coming from somewhere in the rear pillar dripping into the boot. Only mine has managed to find a channel to run down the side of the boot, along the doorsill and into the rear passenger footwell on the driver side. Looks like a very small drip but it makes a puddle in that footwell over time.
Any advice other than what you have stated already?
Thanks
TheTreeHacker said:
So after a few more suggestions that didn't really get me anywhere I ended up using some flashing (waterproof) tape over different parts to test where it....
Hi all, did you find a solution to this? My wife's car is still leaking after if put silicon in every bit I can think of. Can see where it's coming out into the boot (looks similar to TreeHacker above) but can't see where it's getting in. Any tips appreciated!
Aca2507
On the schematic diagram you show... I have removed the plastic cover (it surrounds the latch for the boot?) and can't see anything of relevance there.
Am I right in thinking the schematic diagram actually shows the rear of the car with the bumper skirt REMOVED, as I am not seeing the area you have circled at all..?
Hope you can help... I've got the spare wheel well, right hand side inside boot, rear seat base and driver's rear foot well all soaked, and I have no idea where it's getting in...
Thanks,
MTH
On the schematic diagram you show... I have removed the plastic cover (it surrounds the latch for the boot?) and can't see anything of relevance there.
Am I right in thinking the schematic diagram actually shows the rear of the car with the bumper skirt REMOVED, as I am not seeing the area you have circled at all..?
Hope you can help... I've got the spare wheel well, right hand side inside boot, rear seat base and driver's rear foot well all soaked, and I have no idea where it's getting in...
Thanks,
MTH
merlinthehammer said:
Aca2507
On the schematic diagram you show... I have removed the plastic cover (it surrounds the latch for the boot?) and can't see anything of relevance there.
Am I right in thinking the schematic diagram actually shows the rear of the car with the bumper skirt REMOVED, as I am not seeing the area you have circled at all..?
Hope you can help... I've got the spare wheel well, right hand side inside boot, rear seat base and driver's rear foot well all soaked, and I have no idea where it's getting in...
Thanks,
MTH
There will be a plastic box there. Most of it is external so you really have to get your head in the boot to see it.On the schematic diagram you show... I have removed the plastic cover (it surrounds the latch for the boot?) and can't see anything of relevance there.
Am I right in thinking the schematic diagram actually shows the rear of the car with the bumper skirt REMOVED, as I am not seeing the area you have circled at all..?
Hope you can help... I've got the spare wheel well, right hand side inside boot, rear seat base and driver's rear foot well all soaked, and I have no idea where it's getting in...
Thanks,
MTH
trickywoo
Thanks for fast reply, but I'm still unclear about this. Is it just a matter of removing that one plastic cover (the one that surrounds the boot latch) and investigating the holes in the main bodywork underneath there? The schematic looks like the rear bumper has been removed as well...
MTH
Thanks for fast reply, but I'm still unclear about this. Is it just a matter of removing that one plastic cover (the one that surrounds the boot latch) and investigating the holes in the main bodywork underneath there? The schematic looks like the rear bumper has been removed as well...
MTH
merlinthehammer said:
trickywoo
Thanks for fast reply, but I'm still unclear about this. Is it just a matter of removing that one plastic cover (the one that surrounds the boot latch) and investigating the holes in the main bodywork underneath there? The schematic looks like the rear bumper has been removed as well...
MTH
You'll need to remove the side trim pieces as well, or at least unclip them so you can bend them away from the corners.Thanks for fast reply, but I'm still unclear about this. Is it just a matter of removing that one plastic cover (the one that surrounds the boot latch) and investigating the holes in the main bodywork underneath there? The schematic looks like the rear bumper has been removed as well...
MTH
Easiest way to get at the vents is with the bumper off but you don't need to.
Okay, so I appear to have stopped the water ingress, so I've put some notes in which might help others...
I discovered water in the right hand side of the boot, and pooled in the spare wheel well. The driver's side footwell was soaked, and the rear seat had soaked up a lot of water too and was very wet.
We took the seat top out and put it in the airing cupboard to dry out (it takes a while, it's like a huge sponge!). I thought maybe the wet seat was a separate issue, maybe water getting down in the top of the rear driver's door, but we sat in and hosed it and this was not happening. Reading what others have said, I decided that the footwell and rear seat was actually water that had travelled through from the boot.
You have to be careful when you are running water over the boot area to 'test' it, because when you open the boot, the Swift has the same problem as our Mondeo i.e. a fair amount of water runs straight off the boot lid as it opens and down inside the boot - this can be misleading when you are trying to establish where the ingress might be coming from. I removed both the right hand liners in the boot, you have to remove a couple of popper fixings and then tease the covers off; they are on push fit locators so just proceed carefully. I removed the jack cover and the jack itself as well.
Water normally runs straight down that outer channel and away, it seems to run down inside the light cluster and out to ground below. I found it useful to ensure the top edge of the light cluster is not hard against the bodywork, as this can cause the cascading water to bubble up. I found several places where I thought the water might be getting into the shell, and one particular place where it was then dripping down into the boot:
1. there were tiny fractures in the metal/original sealant at the end of the channel where the roof bars are located.
2. there was some movement in the bodywork end of the rubber flexi that protects cables through into the boot lid.
3. there was no waterproofing arrangement at all on the strut bracket where it is fixed to the drainage channel.
4. there was a little rubber grommet a few inches below the strut bracket (wth does it do?) which was a potential leak point.
5. I also checked the grommet on the rear of the light cluster - this was sound but I packed it with sealant anyway.
6. I also removed, cleaned and replaced the rubber boot surround as this was gunged up and it was retaining water rather than letting it flow.
7. I treated the passenger side just the same - time spent but we all know what will happen next if not..!
I sealed all these areas, taking apart where necessary. This stopped the ingress of water into the shell of the car. What I also found was one definite place where the water was transferring from the inner shell and through into the boot. This was the very rear seat belt bracket, which is fixed to the back area of the boot; it is bolted on, but is a 'swivel fitting' so the seat belt mechanism can move around and take a natural position when in use. I removed this, packed the bolt thread and its location with sealant, and reassembled it. Tests running water down the outer channel now show there is no further water ingress into the boot.
Sorry this is a bit long winded but I hope it is comprehensive enough to get somebody else out of trouble.
MTH
I discovered water in the right hand side of the boot, and pooled in the spare wheel well. The driver's side footwell was soaked, and the rear seat had soaked up a lot of water too and was very wet.
We took the seat top out and put it in the airing cupboard to dry out (it takes a while, it's like a huge sponge!). I thought maybe the wet seat was a separate issue, maybe water getting down in the top of the rear driver's door, but we sat in and hosed it and this was not happening. Reading what others have said, I decided that the footwell and rear seat was actually water that had travelled through from the boot.
You have to be careful when you are running water over the boot area to 'test' it, because when you open the boot, the Swift has the same problem as our Mondeo i.e. a fair amount of water runs straight off the boot lid as it opens and down inside the boot - this can be misleading when you are trying to establish where the ingress might be coming from. I removed both the right hand liners in the boot, you have to remove a couple of popper fixings and then tease the covers off; they are on push fit locators so just proceed carefully. I removed the jack cover and the jack itself as well.
Water normally runs straight down that outer channel and away, it seems to run down inside the light cluster and out to ground below. I found it useful to ensure the top edge of the light cluster is not hard against the bodywork, as this can cause the cascading water to bubble up. I found several places where I thought the water might be getting into the shell, and one particular place where it was then dripping down into the boot:
1. there were tiny fractures in the metal/original sealant at the end of the channel where the roof bars are located.
2. there was some movement in the bodywork end of the rubber flexi that protects cables through into the boot lid.
3. there was no waterproofing arrangement at all on the strut bracket where it is fixed to the drainage channel.
4. there was a little rubber grommet a few inches below the strut bracket (wth does it do?) which was a potential leak point.
5. I also checked the grommet on the rear of the light cluster - this was sound but I packed it with sealant anyway.
6. I also removed, cleaned and replaced the rubber boot surround as this was gunged up and it was retaining water rather than letting it flow.
7. I treated the passenger side just the same - time spent but we all know what will happen next if not..!
I sealed all these areas, taking apart where necessary. This stopped the ingress of water into the shell of the car. What I also found was one definite place where the water was transferring from the inner shell and through into the boot. This was the very rear seat belt bracket, which is fixed to the back area of the boot; it is bolted on, but is a 'swivel fitting' so the seat belt mechanism can move around and take a natural position when in use. I removed this, packed the bolt thread and its location with sealant, and reassembled it. Tests running water down the outer channel now show there is no further water ingress into the boot.
Sorry this is a bit long winded but I hope it is comprehensive enough to get somebody else out of trouble.
MTH
Edited by merlinthehammer on Thursday 22 February 19:42
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