It may be partly due to the vehicle being parked on a slight right to left side incline, but has anyone experienced accumulated rainwater running out when the upper tailgate is opened?

Yep.

I open the tailgate and the rainwater runs down the channels.

The same as the ridiculously poor fitting rear door seals allow water to accumulate on the lower sill. 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 SDV8

After a good wash down, I gently lift the the tailgate allowing trapped water to escape slowly……otherwise, if the brain isn’t engaged in time there’s a whooosh & the parcel shelf gets a bit of a splash! Annoying having the odd water stain on the parcel shelf. 2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
BMW R1200GS
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Just one Montesa now, 349 White Wonder
Austin A40 Farina MK2
1975 Morris Marina 1.8TC

Mine just drains down the left side. Not sure where it's accumulating - is it a blocked drain hole? 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

Have just got used to it now its normal

I've always been amazed this hasn't caused a major issue from water pooling then freezing, but so far no issues. Fingers crossed it doesn't! 2012 Supercharged L322

It might be that the high level brake light seal is leaking. I have two almost identical L322's. I replaced the high level brake light in one and it doesn't leak and have yet to replace on the other and it too has water in the upper section of the tail gate.

When I get around to replacing it, I will let you know if it resolves the leak RR L322 TDV8 4.4 SE 2019 to present
RR L322 TDV8 4.4 - 2016 to present
Discovery 2 TD5 - 2010 to 2016
Discovery 1 - 2000 to 2010

Mines exactly the same, open the tailgate, stand back and watch it drain out the left side

When I replaced the high level brake light I took the opportunity to drill a 4mm drain hole on each lower corner of the “under tray”. I used Hammerite to rust proof each one. The result, no more sploosh when the tailgate is opened after rain. TDV8 4.4 2012

My high level brake light has a few led bulbs not working so may look at doing this when I replace it. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

Catches me out a lot

Ramblin Man wrote:

When I replaced the high level brake light I took the opportunity to drill a 4mm drain hole on each lower corner of the “under tray”. I used Hammerite to rust proof each one. The result, no more sploosh when the tailgate is opened after rain.

could you take a few photos for me, I would like to do this mod - has it so far done the trick ???

could you indicate ( or measure ) how low down on each corner you drilled, or does it not matter too much in the scheme of things


NB I am in the habit of holding the tailgate and letting it up very slowly, but when others drive the car they forget

which is why my ivory parcel shelf is stained a bit, so I am keen to get the holes drilled and then steam clean my parcel shelf and hopefully it will not look so shabby !

@pcourtney I took some photos of the rear new brake light but unfortunately not the new drain holes. It’s tricky to see now as the whole thing is refitted.

The good news though is that it’s actually quite straightforward, here’s what I did:

Once you’ve removed the rear spoiler completely place a towel on a flat surface and lay it upside down on a the towel to protect the paint work. ( PowerfulUK have a video on YouTube of how to get the spoiler off here https://youtu.be/eqHYMLg-TZQ )

There’s a matt black under tray that runs across the bottom of the spoiler. Toward each side there is a slightly bulbous corner. When the spoiler is on the car these would be the lowest point and so where any water would collect. Obviously with the spoiler upside down these are the highest point.

By eye pick a spot on the bulbous corner that seems to be the high point. This can be quite approximate. Then use a centre punch to create an indent for the drill start point. If you don’t do this then it’s likely the drill will “wander” when you start drilling as you’ll be trying to drill into a convex surface. Repeat on the other side.

Next simply drill two holes, one on each side. I used a 4mm drill and that seems to work fine.

Lastly, I used a small model makers brush ( which I nicked from the Mississ’s make-up bag ) to apply some Hammerite black smooth anti-rust paint to the bare metal left on the inside and around the new drill holes. If you load the brush up with paint and poke it through the new hole a few times some Hammerite will be left on the inside as well. Leave to dry a bit whilst you have a cup of tea, you could then optionally do a second coat, and then refit the spoiler.

A few photos as best as I could now refitted: look right under the rear spoiler close to the rear window glass:

Click image to enlarge

that is very helpful, thank you, I will attempt this whilst trying to get my rear wiper washer working again - I think the two nozzles are blocked and getting a little pin in there to push in any dirt further into the nozzle did not work

Old topic I know, but to answer that last question on the rear washer wiper holes which get blocked up - here is a workaround. It works fine.
We actually figured this out a few years ago independently of this guy - we had done exactly the same thing and it works perfectly.


 2012 L322 4.4 TDV8 AB low mileage - a peach
1986 V8 Defender 90 County ex-Swiss Army - Red everything....

My preferred Independent: Roy Hardy. R & B AUTOS LTD, 20 Brook Road, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 2BH (Ex LR Chief Technician)