1st Gen R53 Cooper S Water in boot hatch < WHAT?

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by Norm03s, Aug 5, 2012.

  1. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

    May 5, 2009
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    Yesterday I raised the hatch and water was leaking out from behind the plasctic on the inside of of my hatch. Who has a clue as to how the water is getting inside the hatch, I just can't have this, yes I'm a little panicked.
    Has anyone else dealt with this?
     
  2. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
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    Couple places to check. The gasket on the boot handle could be bad as could the seal where the wires & washer fluid tube enter at the top of the hatch. Possibly the washer tube has gotten loose from the wiper. I'd pull that panel cover from the hatch & look for any witness marks left by the water. They may lead you to the source of the leak.
     
  3. LIGHTINMCQUEEN

    LIGHTINMCQUEEN New Member

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    I had similar problem. Mine was my third brake light by the spoiler. I just pulled it out and used clear silicone to seal it. No more problems
     
  4. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Forgot all about the 3rd brake light. Good call. :Thumbsup:
     
  5. jiminni

    jiminni Well-Known Member

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    Be very careful about that water, one of our club members shorted out his main electrical wire, the one that goes underneath the rear trim and snakes to the left, was not good at all. Luckily, he had bought it from Carmax, and was still under their 90 day warranty :Thumbsup: They ended up shipping it to the dealer, was there for almost a month. Would have been a $2500. bill :eek6:
     
  6. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

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    Getting ready to go out to check it out and a thunder storm blew in, just started RAINING.
     
  7. jiminni

    jiminni Well-Known Member

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    Only time anymore that my Mini sees water is when I wash it, I just drive hers in the rain, mine stays comfy in the garage :Thumbsup: :lol:
     
  8. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Don't mind the rain, sort of a Mother Nature car wash. When she throws hail I run for cover & hide the MINI.
     
  9. dubstepsteve

    dubstepsteve New Member

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    mine had a similar problem when i went to change the battery i noticed an inch of water had collected in the battery box. i threw a towel in there and got all the water out and it hasn't come back since
     
  10. DixonL2

    DixonL2 New Member

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    Was the water in the hatch, or boot? If hatch, also check the license plate trim/topper piece. While you're in there, you'll find a connector that goes to the boot handle "switch" (the pad you push when you open the boot from the outside). That connector is wrapped in cloth anti-rattle tape from the factory, and that cloth can get wet. Dry it thoroughly, then waterproof that connector using liquid electrical tape or smother it in dielectric grease (bulb grease), or use your own waterproofing method. (Don't just wrap with electrical tape, that's not gonna cut it). If it gets wet it shorts and your boot won't stay closed, just keeps going "boonk" randomly until dry (or until battery is flat).
     
  11. Tron Chief

    Tron Chief "Need More Coffee"
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    At the bottom center on the inside of the boot is the drain that normally stays outside of the car. However if it becomes blocked then the water will flow from several other undesirable locations. Putting a small scribe etc inside the drain to clear it out will normally help with future issues.
     
  12. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

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    Took out all the screws, plastic cladding (interior) stays in place. Where do I have to pry without destroying it?
     
  13. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Just pull on it and the pop clips will come loose. Start at the corners it just pulls off. Then disconnect the the boot hatch handle where you open the boot. You need to remove 3 or 4 torx 20 screws and then it comes right off. Then you will see the little connector that needs to be dried and sealed. Liquid tape of silicone works great.

    Good luck.
     
  14. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

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    Thanks, that worked. Can't seem to find where the water is getting in but there are rust stains around and on the the bottom of wiper motor. Or maybe one of the latch screws is leaking, it has a touch of rust on it.
     
  15. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    That's cool, congrats
     
  16. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

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    That handle thing with the boot release in it has a foam gasket, that was the location where water was getting in. It had dribbled into one of the tag light housings, corroded one of the bulb contacts and the bulb was blown. After cleaning it up I used some carefully applied black RTV and assembled it. If that doesn't do it I'll buy a stupid gasket.
    This is a point everyone will eventually have a leak at I'm sure.
     
  17. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

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    Revisiting this issue, suggestions?
     
  18. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Climb in the boot & have someone spray water on all parts of the hatch area. With flashlight in hand look things over. Take the inner cover off first. Good luck.
     
  19. ColinGreene

    ColinGreene Well-Known Member
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    You should probably check that the drain ports on the bottom of the hatch are not clogged.
    Mine were, cleared them out and now water wont collect there.
     

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