body and interior Puddle on the rear deck

[Healey3000]

Hi,

 

We got our second rain of the month and I saw a puddle of water on the rear deck, left hand side.  I assume it's running down into the rear seat area from there.  Leaky rear glass seal?  Could the drip out the rocker in front of the rear wheel be related, or just coincidence?

 

On a separate note, I see a hefty threaded hole on each sill of the car under the seat (please see arrow in photograph).  What are those for?  They look like a really nice place to attach the battery ground if relocating to under the seat.

 

Thanks!

[adawil2002]

Leaking rear window seal for sure. Do you have a sunroof?

[Healey3000]

No, no sunroof.

 

Are today's rear glass any good?  Mine is original, I think and has a couple of problems - broken defroster element somewhere that keeps it from working and really hazy optical quality in patches.  May replace it if I have to have it resealed.  Not a DIY, I presume?

 

Thanks.

[adawil2002]

Haven't bought any '02 rear glass, easier to have a pro do it once the glass is sourced. Try your local BMW dealer it may be available.

[Simeon]

It's a definite maybe for DIY depending upon your confidence. I did my front and rear screens with new rubbers. 

 

the rear went in perfect as I had the stock screen. My front, I had to replace as I managed to crack my original with some clumsy handling. I didn't search too hard for a replacement so ended up with a cheap Chinese screen that I am not 100% sure fits properly. I got it in but one of the top corners sits a little proud compared to the other. I am considering pulling it out and trying again to get it well seated in the opposite corner. I bought a suction cup lifting handle to help jerk the screen into position (along with slapping and banging). 

[m42002]

It's not a bad job to do. When I bought my 02, I noticed the rear seal was "open" a bit. I read this tutorial -

- and proceeded to undo the window to reseat it. It would be way easier with two sets of hands, and the strip tool, but it was doable. It is still seated to this day. Also, are you sure the defrost is the window side, as compared to the switch, or wiring? If it is the window, there is a defroster patch kit out there. It is basicaly liquid copper you paint on after some prep. I use it for circuit boards also.

Keep the rear window and spend that money on upgrades!

Edited October 31, 2016 by GoGo Garnet

[Healey3000]

Thanks, all.  You have inspired me to at least contemplate doing it myself.  I may first try shooting some RTV under the seal, as shown in that tutorial.  It may be a reasonable stopgap (pun intended) till the rains end.

 

Any good glaziers in the SF Bay Area who are familiar with '02's?

[Mike Self]

Almost positively a leaking back window seal.  Fix sooner rather than later, as it will cause all sorts of rust problems under the back seat.  Those holes in the inner rocker panel in your last picture make a dandy access for rustproofing your rocker panels from the inside.  You'll find more of 'em under the carpet as you work your way forward.  They probably have plastic plugs in 'em.  Using a solvent/wax rustproofing solution sprayed in there will go a long way towards preserving your rocker panels.  I did mine years ago and even after 30 Ohio winters I had virtually no rocker rust (it was just almost everywhere else--except where I had rustproofed).

 

Re repairing the defroster grid:  check archives for how to test the grid for continuity; I found that mine were worn to the point I would have had to paint that copper solution almost the full width of each line for 'em to work again.  And it looks sloppy when you do it.  I'm just gonna replace the glass one of these days...

 

mike