Ok so I am still working on my sons 86 GT . Today I decided to look at the rear trunk area because I needed to take out the carpet clean it and let it dry. Why because it is always wet , it never dries out! So I took out the carpet and the trunk seal out of the car. Now don't get me wrong I like the cars as much as the next fanatic but it looks like a poor design to channel water away from the trunk. Water that goes over the side of the deck lid has no were to go. It looks like it just runs to the back of the car and then back down into the car. Is the trunk seal the only thing that keeps the water out and if so where is it supposed to go? In the following pic it looks as if the water is supposed to go along the side of the trunk in the trough then down the gap between the trunk and the bumper where I have the yellow wire, is this correct? or am I all wet? Now what to do? will a new seal fix the problem? or is there supposed to be a drain to carry the water away ? if so could it be plugged? sorry for the long post Also wanted to post even with the wet carpet no trunk rust
[This message has been edited by kendallville (edited 06-08-2014).]
There are two ways water can get in the trunk (assuming there are no holes in it). One is a bad trunk seal. The other is where the wing attaches (bad wing gaskets). I think someone here on Pennock's offers GT trunk seals.
I checked for leaks by pouring water on the side of the deck lid . it runs in on the side of the trunk . The trunk sits lower than the back of the car as seen in pics above . there is a plastic tray at both ends of the trunk , they leak . so the question remains how is water supposed to get out when the trunk is lower than the back of the car ?
Sounds like the D plates (which cover the stock oval Fiero trunk space and make it rectangular) may have cracks in them. Not all that common but not unheard of.
Mine leak, but not too bad.
The D-plates are a pain to replace if I remember right?
Sounds like the D plates (which cover the stock oval Fiero trunk space and make it rectangular) may have cracks in them. Not all that common but not unheard of. If your trunk seal is in good shape I too would suspect the gaskets under your wingstands.
Dr. W.
I have seen posts on the D plates before but did not understand , I think I do know but do you know how the water is supposed to get off of them. do they have a drain or does the water drain off the back , and the trunk gasket keep it from going in the trunk? I would love to get him a new gasket but I have no job , and he has no $ so it will have to wait for now. thanks
If its the original seal, its dried out. While it may look good, it isnt sealing where it contacts the mounting base. If you can use the original one because it looks good, put a good bead of weatherstrip adhesive around the whole base where the seal sets, then close it and let it dry for a day. It should seal well then if the seal isnt torn or collapsed anywhere. By what you said, Ill assume none is coming in from rustholes under the floor or sides.
If water gets on the D plates it should just fall to the ground. There is a gap between the trunk and the rear facia.
Dr.W.
That is what I thought but was not sure. I don't see any rust holes for the water to get in ,and the seal looks good but I am sure its old and dried out . I poured water on the D plate and you can see it run in along the outside walls of the trunk . still could not see exactly where it gets in from the D plate. So first The D plates were loose sitting there so used rtv gasket material to seal them down ,and one had a crack along the top edge so glued and sealed it. next I took a tube of silicone caulk and put a bead all the way around the trunk seal in the gap that fits on the trunk . I hope that will seal it on the car and not let water run in there . Now just to let it sit for a day and dry. then I will check it again ( or the rain will ) to see if it still leaks. It would be nice if we both get our cars running again.
I would have used weatherstrip adhesive or windshield installation sealer over silicone. Silicone gets harder and may continue to leak. I see people sealing in leaking sunroofs and they barely slow the water down. Only some time will tell if you got it permanently sealed.
It was not my first choice , just what I had on hand. In fact it was a latex caulk so I hope it works . I wanted to try using rtv all the way around but did not have enough. Less medical bills or an income would help a lot . Like you said time will tell , but I plan on testing it tomorrow unless it rains first. If it still leaks I will tear it out and try again when I can.
On my 87 gt the po used silicone and sealed over the channel that Fierosound mentioned, making a small lake everytime water entered the area. I peeled the silicone off and even with my crappy ripped seal I have no leaks. I suppose dirt and grime could block it too.
On my 87 gt the po used silicone and sealed over the channel that Fierosound mentioned, making a small lake everytime water entered the area. I peeled the silicone off and even with my crappy ripped seal I have no leaks. I suppose dirt and grime could block it too.
Yeah - in an effort to "fix" the problem, he'd have only made it worse.
the po used silicone and sealed over the channel that Fierosound mentioned, making a small lake everytime water entered the area. I peeled the silicone off and even with my crappy ripped seal I have no leaks. I suppose dirt and grime could block it too. [QUOTE][B
[QUOTE][B]Originally posted by fierosound:
Yeah - in an effort to "fix" the problem, he'd have only made it worse.
poured a little water on the decklid and watched it go in. Then opened the decklid to see where the water went. The water went into the D plate like it should but then instead of going towards the back of the car and thru that gap when it got to the corner it went down into the trunk. I lifted the flap on the corner of the seal a little and found the problem. I had put caulk in the grove of the seal when I put it back in and it felt tight , and here is the big BUT. I did not look just went by feel, the seal had SHRUNK yes that is a lot of it . In the corner it left about a 1/8 inch gap where it did not fit tight , so when the water gets to the back instead of going out the back it took the shortest rout and in the trunk . I filled that gap with some rtv gasket material . Now later when it rains I will be able to see if it leaks or goes out the back like it should.
[This message has been edited by kendallville (edited 06-10-2014).]
