Water leaking from boot tailgate

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MK21800
Posts: 119
Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2011 1:41 am
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Location: Kingston, Surrey

Water leaking from boot tailgate

Post by MK21800 »

Recently in this rain we've been having I noticed that when I open the boot, water gushes down from the tailgate.

More specifically, 99% of it comes from the lock like a tap, as if it has collect there and then streams out from the centre of the lock when the tailgate is opened.

There is a fair amount of water collecting in the boot as well, presumably when the tailgate is closed.

There's a tiny bit that comes from the sides of the tailgate as well, but like I say the vast majority is from the lock itself, looks literally like a tap being turned on when the tailgate is open and up.

Was looking at it earlier with a mate, and we also noticed that in the end of the tailgate are some rectangular holes cut, and in the left hand side we can see wires (wiper motor wires or something?). Next to these wires is an old rotten piece of foam. Not sure if this is related or nothing to do with it.

I could even stretch to perhaps videoing it next time I open the boot after rain, if that helps describe it.

Any help welcome. Cheers.

Any ideas? Is it perhaps the seal around the lock, and water is collecting in the lock somehow and then pouring out when the lock is at a different angle when the tailgate is up?


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GT_II
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Location: Warwickshire

Re: Water leaking from boot tailgate

Post by GT_II »

Obviously, water getting into the tailgate around the lock isn't ideal, but it looks like VW thought of this possibility by providing a drain hole located near the lock designed to allow water to drip to the outside, I wonder if this drain hole has become blocked on your Scirocco?
Tailgate drain hole.jpg
As for where the water is coming from, the attached photo (courtesy of srotas24.co.uk) shows the most likely water entry points into the tailgate cavity.
Tailgate apertures.jpg
Once there it will exit into the boot through the slots in the bottom edge of the tailgate, or possibly the drain hole near the lock. My Scirocco also has the foam pad stuck partly over one of the slots towards the left, which on closer inspection is in fact a foam sleeve around a wiring connector.
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Last edited by GT_II on Sat Oct 12, 2024 12:53 am, edited 1 time in total.


1992 VW Scirocco GT II 1.8 90PS Brilliant Black 30k
WreckTangle
Posts: 133
Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2017 5:16 pm
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Re: Water leaking from boot tailgate

Post by WreckTangle »

The seal around the lock does deteriorate but is relatively easy to replace and widely available. Part number 161 827 527. For example,

https://www.volkswagen-classic-parts.co ... 7%20%2001C

but also available (with cheaper postage) on places like eBay.


MK21800
Posts: 119
Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2011 1:41 am
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Location: Kingston, Surrey

Re: Water leaking from boot tailgate

Post by MK21800 »

Ah, got it!

Cheers for that. It appears there's hardly anything left of the surround around the lock, so a new one is in order.

Also, poked around that drain hole too, which was partially blocked.

Thanks for the replies ;)


MK21800
Posts: 119
Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2011 1:41 am
fill in the right answer: 10
Location: Kingston, Surrey

Re: Water leaking from boot tailgate

Post by MK21800 »

Just to report back in case it helps anyone else:

Although I haven't purchased the lock surround yet, my boot has appeared to be dry so far even in this heavy rain etc. we have been getting. Suspect it could have been clearing out of that drain hole near the lock.


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