Hi,

This is just a heads up for anybody experiencing water ingress into the spare wheel well and wondering which potential route to address for water to get in first.

I was seeing a small amount of water in the spare wheel well after heavy rain or washing the car. Having read up on all the water ingress options I thought I would try the easy points of entry first and was going to tackle the top tailgate hinges to start with. My thinking was I would grease around them to temporarily seal them then if it made a difference, add gaskets to them to seal them more permanently.

I happened to mention this to my local independent who advised, before doing anything else, just to clean thoroughly all around the boot seal so that any water would slip away via the routes intended. He advised that otherwise water can sit and creep around the boot seal. He said lots of people end up buying new boot seals without just trying cleaning them first so end up thinking the seal itself was at fault, when it could have just been dirt.

I was doubtful but thought for less than five minutes of cleaning it was worth a go. There was a little bit of gunk, particularly between the boot hinges but not much. Cleaning it out only went and worked though! Four weeks later, checking every few days and having driven in torrential rain multiple times, washed the car etc and it is as dry as a bone.

There is a lot to be said for starting simple!

Matt. 2010 L322 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - SOLD

Spooky,
Exactly what I did yesterday afternoon. also wiped the contact areas of the boot metalwork
and door openings. Then coated the rubber door seals and the bootseal with this stuff:-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264932829287

Gumtree advice?  2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
New Defender D300 90 on order so "Rory" will be going to a new home....!
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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No, Simon Elliott at Elliott Engineering this time. 2010 L322 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - SOLD

 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
New Defender D300 90 on order so "Rory" will be going to a new home....!
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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