Water leak into back seat?

I have water leaking through the rear of my car onto the rear back
seat carpet and making my car smell horrible!

There is water in the space where the spare tire is and it is
obviously going through onto the back seat carpet in my 1998 S40.

I had this problem before and the garage told me it was a seal that
they replaced but I have no idea where the seal is
or how to replace it.

I would appreciate it if someone could tell me where the seals are
that could be loose/worn out and how to replace them and where I can
get a replacement seal? (I am in the UK).

Thanks.

 

Probably not a solution in your case, but I had a similar in a 740 GLE boot.
Have a look at the rear light cluster seals.
Mine was the actual Perspex lens itself where the two colours (red & Amber)
join with a black band.
Regards.
Mike.

 

Has this been an ongoing problem or did it just suddenly occur.
Assuming the trunk lid was not left opened slightly during a heavy
rain, then you have to track down a small leak.

First choice would be the seals around the trunk lid - are they in
place? Next I would look at the taillight assembly. Any damaged or
cracked lenses? Is the assembly tight to the body?

Check the lenses themselves for many tiny cracks close together. The
lenses themselves can fill up with water and it is possible to see
water inside sloshing around after a good rain. This cracking occurs
from the heat of the brake lights and is common.

 

Does the car have a sun roof? On the 240 series and I assume on the 740
series, there are drain hoses into the trunk. There are clear plastic tubes
coming from the rear roof pilllars that join each other into a common drain.
Check to make sure all are connected together.

BTW, it is easy to dislodge the pipes by placing storage items very close to
the seat back of the rear seat.

 

I don't have a sun roof although I could do with one!

The problem first occured last March and the garage replaced a seal
but I don't know where it was, obviously in the boot
area but I have no idea where exactly. I had no problems till last
week and it was raining lots so either its a different seal
or something has come off/ gotton lose at some point recently.

I would appreciate it if someone could actually tell me where the
seals are? as I do not actually know what I am
looking for.

Also shouldn't there by a hole where water can drain out if it gets
into the spare tyre well? That is what I was told but
I can't see any spaces like that when I look around the tyre. thanks.

 

The seals are where the trunk lid presses against the body. They are
usually in the form of a long strip of dark grey neoprene like
material that is usually fitted to the body.

 

I can't see any gaps or damage to the seal around the boot/trunk lid.

I have no idea where the seals are around the lights - I need more
help tracking those
down!

But if its neither of those where could else could water be coming in?
and what
about the drainage "hole" that I heard was meant to be in the rear
spare tyre
space?

 

The seals go between the light assembly and the body. If the light
assembly is broken or has tiny cracks as mentioned previously or is
not tight to the body or if the seal is damaged then water can get in.

Those are two sources of a leak, but there are others. I've pointed
out the most likely ones. Not all of us have the experience to be
able to track down the source of water leaks when it isn't raining.
You may want to consider having a dealer or an independent mechanic
familiar with this car search out the cause of the problem.

I'm not aware of a hole that is intentionally left open to allow
drainage from the trunk.