Water in my boot!

[Alan Hart]

Hi

I've just got myself a very nice Mk1 '72 Stag. However, it has a bit of a problem with the boot! Every time it rains ... when I open the boot water runs out from the holes on the underside of the boot lid all over the back of the boot.

Anyone got any ideas on how to stop this happening - apart from don't leave the Stag in the rain!

Cheers

[dai the stag]

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hi alan, mine does the same , just one of those things i guess, very annoying though !!! :X

[DJT]

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Alan,

Welcome to the wonderful world of Stag ownership. Another white one for the forum....

If water is running out of the holes underneath the boot lid when you open it, how is it getting there? If the boot lid is sound, water should run off and down the drain channels either side of the seal lip. If it is getting inside, the only thing I can think of is there must be a hole where the chrome trim clips onto the trailing edge. This is allowing water into the double-skin. If this is happening, rust will very soon follow. Have a look at this area. Maybe worthwhile sealing the gap around the chrome trim with white silicone sealant. If this stops water getting in, then spray rust killer and cavity wax into the double-skinned sections to stave off any further corrosion.

Dave

[John]

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I too have exactly the same issue, and am still baffled. I can find no gaps anywhere that water might get in, even under the trim, and in any case, the car usually parked on a slight slope, rear-end downhill so the trim is the lowest part of the lid in any case. Still, after a downpoor, open the boot and water comes out of the holes inside. A true mystery.

[Alan Hart]

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Hi

Many thanks for your reply. I'll check the trim and then do as you suggest. Maybe that will cure it!

Cheers

[Alan Hart]

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OK, had a look at my trim ... possible cause but I'd like to remove anyway to seal etc ... OK ... next question. How do I remove the trim from the boot - is it an easy job ?

Cheers

[DJT]

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Alan,

The chrome trim is originally a push fit with some spiked spring clips to hold it there. Trouble with this method is that the spikes dig through the nice new paintwork and the trim holds water when it rains. You can guess what happens next .

Some owners apply waxoyl type rust preventer to the gap between the trim and the body to keep things from rusting. I have seen the trim fixed in a bed of body mastic. This keeps the water out but makes removal rather difficult as it sticks like the proverbial **** to a blanket!

Only you can see how it is fitted. If just the original-type clips it may pull off. If not, the trim can get bent trying to extract it, and if this happens, getting it back to shape is nigh on impossible. If you don't intend going down the route of a re-paint and new trim just yet, I suggest just squeezing mastic into the gap. This will prevent the water getting in through any existing rust holes caused by the clips.


Dave