I read somewere to fix this you need to cut the seal 2 inches in from the curve on each side. has any one done this and how did it work? I have a 2001 STS and my spare and spare well is allways wet? http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com//images/icons/icon9.gif

Is the carpet wet as well?? On some cars there are rubber plugs down there, it may be coming from teh bottom up

But if I don't find where the water is getting it will not be like new for long.
even the top of spare and spare lid underside is wet http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com//images/icons/icon5.gif

Mabey I wash it too much. Na... the ride needs to be clean!



Is the carpet wet as well?? On some cars there are rubber plugs down there, it may be coming from teh bottom up

Hello..

I'm new & I could not figure out how to start a new thread, so I'll barge in on this one, if that's OK, I hope..

Has anyone tried this new Mr. Clean no dry car wash? If so does it work?


Ted Evans
04 Black CTS :C

The water "may" be coming in from the body welds along the top of the trunk compartment. Sometimes just cleaning them and applying some seam-sealer to them is sufficient. Get in the trunk with a flash light and have someone hose it down from the outside while you search for the leak(s).

Ted,
To start a new thread, you need to go to the "Forum" page. You can't start one at the thread level. Oh, and BTW, the Mr Clean stuff sucks!.

I think KatShot is right on this one. My 89' STS has water in the trunk also. I found that cleaning the area around the seals and cleaning them well almost eliminated the problem. Leaves, pine needles and all that crap creates paths for water to flow in. Sealing the welds isn't a bad idea either.

My Next door neibourgh uses it all the time he is happy with it, it take the chemicals out of the water that make it spot.

No good for me a all ways dry it and do the miguiers thin.


I'm new & I could not figure out how to start a new thread, so I'll barge in on this one, if that's OK, I hope..

Has anyone tried this new Mr. Clean no dry car wash? If so does it work?


Ted Evans
04 Black CTS :C

The Water seems to get in allong the side of the rubber seal and migrats inside the rubber trim until it reachs the area infront of then latch the leaks into the trunk, (thanks to my son with a flash light in side). Lifted the lid seal, cleaned it and put it back on with Plumers Gup. DRY AS JULY IN ARIZONA.

I have heard this is a common problem with 1999-2004 STS/SLS.

The water comes from inside the rubber seal!, near the latch, gets in along the top/side and down section next to the tail light. Any how,fixed Now http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com//images/icons/icon7.gif

Dude, your cock blocking. . . hahahahahaha

:Beer now my case of beer will not get wet!http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com//images/icons/icon7.gif

Very common probem with STS and very easy fix, remove, clean, Seal, replace and MILLER TIME . Well here is Molson X, (U-NO)

ANY SeVille (1999-2004) People check under your spare... Fix now or pay later.

My STS is 89 and has the same problem. Thats how I found it, by cleaning the trunk one day I took the spare out. Swimming pool. Bad news.

You are right it's 98 to 2004

I think they all have the same problem, some guy's cut the seal to make drain hole but I don't like that idea. I claened it well and used a silicon base sealer to seal the trim and so far so good, no water yet. let me know what works for you.


I will give mine another week before i am convinced that it worked

My STS is 89 and has the same problem. Thats how I found it, by cleaning the trunk one day I took the spare out. Swimming pool. Bad news.

You are right it's 98 to 2004

I think they all have the same problem, some guy's cut the seal to make drain hole but I don't like that idea. I claened it well and used a silicon base sealer to seal the trim and so far so good, no water yet. let me know what works for you.


I will give mine another week before i am convinced that it worked



This is a problem with most sts and it is usually water leaking from the sun roof.

I had the exact same problem, 1999 STS, did some searching and found the same thing you did. The water will almost always leak into the spare tire well at the trunk latch area, but the leak is usually located somewhere along the trunk weatherstripping, not necessarily at the trunk latch.

I pulled the bottom half of mine off and threw on some black RTV sealant. I used a hair dryer to keep everything clean and dry. It's been a few weeks now with rainy weather and no signs of the swimming pool that used to be there. I do still get some dampness in the rear of the trunk, but I noticed that when you open the trunk, water will slide off the trunk lid and onto the carpet. The spare tire area is dry so I'm considering at least one problem solved. :)

Kale

I've Had Two Sts's, A 1995 That Had A Leaky Trunk, And A 1998, That Has A Leaky Trunk As Well As A Back Seat And Rear Head Liner. I Spent $500 For A Dealer Repair Last Year, And I Now Have The Same Problem This Year. It Seems To Me That It's A Manufacturing Defect, And Gm Should Fix The Problem.

My 1978 Biarritz Doesn't Leak. Maybe Gm Should Make The Newer Caddies As Well As They Used To!

I had the exact same problem, 1999 STS, did some searching and found the same thing you did. The water will almost always leak into the spare tire well at the trunk latch area, but the leak is usually located somewhere along the trunk weatherstripping, not necessarily at the trunk latch.

I pulled the bottom half of mine off and threw on some black RTV sealant. I used a hair dryer to keep everything clean and dry. It's been a few weeks now with rainy weather and no signs of the swimming pool that used to be there. I do still get some dampness in the rear of the trunk, but I noticed that when you open the trunk, water will slide off the trunk lid and onto the carpet. The spare tire area is dry so I'm considering at least one problem solved. :)

Kale
I too still find it damp some time but the nothing like before, mabey the sunroof is another problem?

Ted,
To start a new thread, you need to go to the "Forum" page. You can't start one at the thread level. Oh, and BTW, the Mr Clean stuff sucks!.

Other than the windows (which still leave spots) you are not using it correctly if you say it sucks......to each their own!

Trunk weatherstrips and sunroof drains are usually not the source of waterleaks, but they are the areas of which people look for leaks. The reason that it's just damp is that you're not driving it in the rain, as you drove it in the rain when you picked up water.

The commom problem with Seville leaks is in the trunk seams, but you cannot seem to tell the tech who works on the car. Pull the lower trunk liner. The leaks are at the seam where the quarter panel and tail panle meet. The other leak is at the seam where the quarter panel, wheel well housing, and trunk pan meet. If you hose those areas, meaning inside of the wheelwell--agresssivly, you'll find the leak.

I have taken my car back to Cadillac for the 3rd time for water in the trunk. They cant seem to find the leak. They have replaced the rubber seal. Still leaks :C

Trunk weatherstrips and sunroof drains are usually not the source of waterleaks, but they are the areas of which people look for leaks. The reason that it's just damp is that you're not driving it in the rain, as you drove it in the rain when you picked up water.

The commom problem with Seville leaks is in the trunk seams, but you cannot seem to tell the tech who works on the car. Pull the lower trunk liner. The leaks are at the seam where the quarter panel and tail panle meet. The other leak is at the seam where the quarter panel, wheel well housing, and trunk pan meet. If you hose those areas, meaning inside of the wheelwell--agresssivly, you'll find the leak.

I seemed to have stoped most of it but the rest will have to wait until spring, I don't have a garage and its too cold up here in Montreal to work out side.

If I find anything else I will post it



I have taken my car back to Cadillac for the 3rd time for water in the trunk. They cant seem to find the leak. They have replaced the rubber seal. Still leaks :C

I read somewere to fix this you need to cut the seal 2 inches in from the curve on each side. has any one done this and how did it work? I have a 2001 STS and my spare and spare well is allways wet? http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com//images/icons/icon9.gif

Roy, I have a 1999 STS just discovered 6 inches of water in trunk --do you have any idea if there was a recall for a repair to this problem? I read your earlier posts. I water tested and found it seaps in along ledge where deck lid and car meet. Seal looks okay. Other thoughts? Rains too much in Michigan to just not drive it.


I read somewere to fix this you need to cut the seal 2 inches in from the curve on each side. has any one done this and how did it work? I have a 2001 STS and my spare and spare well is allways wet? http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com//images/icons/icon9.gif

The main leak that I found, was getting in under the rubber seal on the down side of the lid starting at the top. As the water runs down it gets inside the rubber seal and exits just over the latch. I had my son get in the trunk before and after the fix, and it did fix it. BUT there is a little still getting in from some were else too?

I will wait until spring now, it too cold here!

Roy, I have a 1999 STS just discovered 6 inches of water in trunk --do you have any idea if there was a recall for a repair to this problem? I read your earlier posts. I water tested and found it seaps in along ledge where deck lid and car meet. Seal looks okay. Other thoughts? Rains too much in Michigan to just not drive it.

thanks---and so much for cadillac quality. Can't believe that this was never discovered by company.

I spoke to a non affiliated repair facility and he found a repair notice of an upgraded weather seal. I also called dealer and they could find nothing--Typical--if it doesn't stare then inthe face and isn't easy --they don't care--i'll let you know if this is a fix.

I spoke to a non affiliated repair facility and he found a repair notice of an upgraded weather seal. I also called dealer and they could find nothing--Typical--if it doesn't stare then inthe face and isn't easy --they don't care--i'll let you know if this is a fix.

There is a repair bulletin that describes an upgraded seal. It does seam to work. Cadillac says there is no such thing. I found it by talking to a company called All Night Auto -in troy michigan. it cost 68 for part and another 60 or so in labor. They gave me printout of the bulletin.

good luck
joe

Do you know if this bulletin is on line, or is it clear on what needs to be done?

I still seem to get a little dampness, but nothing like before I did the lid seal, I'm starting to think about the sunroof drain ... If I find anything else I will post it.


There is a repair bulletin that describes an upgraded seal. It does seam to work. Cadillac says there is no such thing. I found it by talking to a company called All Night Auto -in troy michigan. it cost 68 for part and another 60 or so in labor. They gave me printout of the bulletin.

good luck
joe

While vacuuming about 5 gallons out of my spare tire well saturday, I leaned my hand on the seal at the lip of the trunk - sort of like the one in Roy's first picture. My hand came away wet. I pulled part of the seal away and it has something like grease in it. I took the plastic cover off and it looked like water trails were visible on both sides about 3'' in from each side.

Next warm day comes along, I guess I'll be following your advice, Roy. I doubt if I can get good pictures - black on black with black goop - but we'll see...

Thanks for the informative posts everyone!

Because its winter here I can't do it now but I WILL figure this one out, My son will get in the trunk with a light and I am going to pressure hoes the &#$t out of it. I will Post what I find

I have taken my car back to Cadillac for the 3rd time for water in the trunk. They cant seem to find the leak. They have replaced the rubber seal. Still leaks :C

:Beer now my case of beer will not get wet!http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com//images/icons/icon7.gif

Very common probem with STS and very easy fix, remove, clean, Seal, replace and MILLER TIME . Well here is Molson X, (U-NO)

ANY SeVille (1999-2004) People check under your spare... Fix now or pay later.

Well, mine's fixed. I put Permatex Black along the lip the seal goes on, from the curve where the lip turns down from the top of one fender all the way across to the other side. I looked over the way my '99 is (and I bet most are) and made a ^ (inverted v) cut in the bottom of the seal about 2" from the end - using pointed wire cutters - to give water a way out of the seal. Major rain last weekend, no wet anywhere inside. Thanks for the pics, Roy, mine looks a lot like yours, but black seal, black permatex on black Caddy parts won't show up as well. Thanks, all! :C

I fixed the leaky trunk in my Seville. I bought a new seal, since I did not want to do this job twice. I used 3M Weatherstrip adhesive, on both sides of, and along the entire length of, the seal flange. I used about 1/2 the tube. No more leak. To test where the leak was coming from, you do not have to climb into the trunk. Open the access door that goes from the trunk into the passenger compartment, and look into the trunk with a flashlight. Before fixing the seal, I had my wife spray down the deck lid. After about 10-15 seconds, it was leaking at the trunk latch area. After the fix, I sprayed down the trunk lid, with a harder spray, and for at least two minutes. Not a drop entered the trunk. And I tried to make it leak, believe me. I assume that if your trunk seal is still in good shape, you can reuse it. I did not want to take any chances.

Don

Hello, first time poster here. Anyway there is a TSB for the water leak in the trunk of the Seville from 1998 thru 2003. TSB No. 03-08-66-009. It basically says to remove the old weatherstrip and replace it with a improved weatherstrip (part # 25762219 ). It also says to apply a thin bead of wheaterstrip adhesive on top of the existing adhesive in the new weatherstrip. Called a local Cadillac dealer parts counter and was told the part is $51.49. A few days before I called the same dealer and asked how much for them to repair my 98 STS and I was quoted $700 to 800 for the job. (bend over) I will go get the new seal and try to repair in the next week or two.

Hope this helps
Rob

Yeah, it would figure that they redesign it after it doesn't work, and we pay extra. Oh, well, I think it was easier to fix it than go through the dealer, and maybe find out I either a) already had the new seal or b) the fix is really the adhesive (or my Permatex Black... It is still dry in mine (knock on wood). Best of luck on yours.

My Dealer said the seam in the rear quarter panel was the cause of the leak and resealed it. This slowed it down greatly but now I have rust where the bumber meets the rear quarter panal. This blows!!!!!!!!!!

I read somewere to fix this you need to cut the seal 2 inches in from the curve on each side. has any one done this and how did it work? I have a 2001 STS and my spare and spare well is allways wet? http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com//images/icons/icon9.gif

Hi, i had this same problem with my Seville, the trunk would always have precipitationand be wet especially where the spare tire is. Ii went to Auto Zone and bought clear silicone and spread it around the weatherstripping in the trunk and now it is dry and i have no problems hope it works out !!!

I read somewere to fix this you need to cut the seal 2 inches in from the curve on each side. has any one done this and how did it work? I have a 2001 STS and my spare and spare well is allways wet? http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com//images/icons/icon9.gif

DO NOT CUT THE SEAL!

Close the trunk have someone spray water down the back window so that it runs down over the trunk and down along the seals.... while someone is spraying water, look through the compartment door in the middle of the back seat with a flash light. You will see that the water gets behind the trunk seal and then travels down along the inside of the seal and then comes out right in the center by the latch. I just fixed this on my STS, use the Black sealant to seal up the seal along the bottom and up the sides of the trunk seal... the top shouldn't matter

IMHO, when I did mine (see May 19 post) I figured it would be hard to keep water from getting in the seal. It has air relief pinholes in several places, and unless everything is perfect, I think the seal will still get water in it. By making a "drain" hole on each side of the bottom you are giving the water somewhere to go. The "cuts" I made on the underneath wouldn't damage the integrity of the surfaces the trunk closes against.

That's my opinion and I'm stikin' to it.

SevillianSTS, welcome to the list! It sounds like we used a similar fix otherwise. And, after several months and the last week of rain daily, it's still absolutely dry in the tire well.
:C
Werks fer me!

I stumbled on this forum by accident (while looking for tire info) and was shocked to see how common my problem is. I have been driving without my spare for a while now since finding out that I had a swimming pool in my trunk. Think I'll have my son go in with a flashlight before I start gooping things up. Thanks everyone for advice! :yourock:

I stumbled on this forum by accident (while looking for tire info) and was shocked to see how common my problem is. I have been driving without my spare for a while now since finding out that I had a swimming pool in my trunk. Think I'll have my son go in with a flashlight before I start gooping things up. Thanks everyone for advice! :yourock:

It's actually easy to see the tracks, take the plastic off from around the trunk latch, you'll see dust trails from the lip the seal goes on down the inside. Get that water outta there before yucky mold sets in, with or without cutting the seal (it's kinda controversial)...

:W



:C

its most likly leaking from the sunroof and running down to the trunck so just poke a couple of holes in the bottom with a tright screwdriver and a hammer ps. watch your exhust

Hi Roy,
I had the same problem with my 2000 STS. The fix (on most STS's) is very simple and only costs about $5.00. GM has an expensive fix, they have a replacement trunk lid seal and sealant. On my car it didn't fix the leak. So I put my son in the trunk (with a good flashlight) and surprise we found it.
There is a seal that sits behind the rear window along the front of the trunk lid lip. It is not the rear window seal nor the trunk lid seal, it is a wind seal (to cut down on wind noise from the front lip of the trunk). It is the screws that hold this seal down that are leaking. When you open the trunk, there are two screws visible holding the outboard corners of the seal. There are two more screws hiding under the folded lip of the seal. Take them out and remove the seal. The little blue inserts (that the screws go into) are what is allowing the water to enter the trunk. All you have to do is to carefully cover them completely with a good sealant. Put the wind seal back in place and put sealant on and over the four screws (especially the two outboard ones) and your problem is fixed.

Thanks for that info. I also have the trunk leak. Maybe with your info I might be able to fix it.