How to fix your leaking trunk

[991.8l]

Thanks to THEMAN for his fix... can be found here if you are registered for iMazda.. but I thought id post my fix here as well.

http://www.imazda.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3461

Most 99-03 protege sedans will have this issue.. maybe some of you have not even noticed.. and for years you had water pooling up behind your tail lights. THEMAN attributes this to the weak setup for our rear bumper, that causes cracks in the metal from low-speed rear end collisions.

This is what mine looked like when I checked:

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/endlinks/trunk/PICT6815.jpg

The water leaks in through here:

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/endlinks/trunk/PICT6821.jpg

The Fix:

Tools required

1. Seam Sealer
2. Flat head screw driver
3. Sand Paper
4. Hex Key or Screw Driver


1. With the screw driver first remove all the clips possible from the plastic cover that sits at the bottom portion of your trunk. Remove the clips from the carpet "walls" on each side of the trunk.

2. Remove the nuts that hold your tail light in place.. swing them into the trunk.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/PICT7107.jpg

3. Remove the 2 large clips that hold your bumper on from the top.

4. Remove the 2 hex key screws that hold the bumper on from the top.

5. Expose the area where the leak is coming in from the outside:

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/PICT7109.jpg

You can do this by pulling on the bumper, with the clips removed it will have some play.

6. Locate the crack!

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/PICT7117.jpg


http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/PICT7111.jpg

7. Clean up that area as best you can with water, alcohol, brake cleaner.. whatever you have available. Then sand that area lightly.

8. Apply your seam sealer.. be generous.. the more the better IMO.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/28-03-081547.jpg

Put everything back.. wait for it to dry and then blast it with the hose.. it should no longer leak. I would check back once and a while to make sure there is no water.. if there is.. check the seam sealer.. it might have cracked.. mine did and I replaced it with the following product:

http://www.por15canada.com/images/porpatch.jpg

You can also try this product:

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?66666UuZjcFSLXTtMxMVLXMVEV76EbHSHVs6EVs6E666666--

[Mike_Moss]

Great write up, Mark!

Seems like a pretty easy fix. How long did it take you?

[991.8l]

Thanks Mike, should take about 20 mins.

[TheMAN]

I globbed touch up paint on mine also to "protect" the seam sealer from the elements and for it to "look" better :D

[991.8l]

^ Good point. I'm going to spray some paint on it when I get a chance. The POR15 stuff I put on takes a while to dry.