Ex brothers: My leaking Rear Hatch is driving me nuts. It only happens during heavy down pours and/or driving rain. Normal rain doesn't come in for some reason. Please Help with thoughts, suggestions, & tips. Where it's leaking: looking at the back of cargo area, i keep a medium size type pelican case with tools on the left side, butt up against spare. Their is about a 3" inch gap between back of box & Dutch doors. Box is about 14 inches wide. Getting to the point... during some recent down pours I found a small puddle sitting on top of this box. I was told it could be 2 possible things. Btw this is the ONLY spot where water is getting inside.

Could be these 2 circumstances: (Any more would be greatly appreciated!)

1. My entire rear hatch weatherstrip needs to be replaced (don't see how this could be since the weather strip is is good shape, plyable- not dry rotted. I regularly ArmourAll it as well to keep it in good shape. and/or...

2. Water could be coming through 3rd Brake light housing (although their is no moisture build up inside of lens) 3rd Brake light works, is not shorted out or anything. Thoughts please

Thx

 

Jump in with a flashlight, close the hatch, and have someone spray the back end down with copious amounts of water from a garden hose at all angles. Use the flashlight and see if you can find the source of the leak.

Stewart

 

Yep thats the best way. My rear vent window was leaking and thats how I found where it was coming in at.

 

Could be the roof rack too, but the side windows are somewhat common problem too.
Garry

 

You could do the "surgical tubing" into the weatherstrip idea and see if that fixes it.