Hi guys!

So a while back as preventative maintenance I re-sealed the spoiler attachment points and the spoiler plate it mounts to where the gasket often fails and water start leaking in the trunk.
I'm in the process of installing a new backup camera and have the trunk lining off. Maybe that's the reason why water is getting into the trunk now but I have other suspicion.

How does the weather stripping that seals the around the entire trunk attach to the metal? Previous owner pulled that stripping up and ran the camera wire into the trunk that way.
The weather stripping gasket is nice and tight against the car all over except in that area where he ran the wire underneath it. I can easily pull it up. You can even see the bulge where I can pull it up easily.
How is that weather stripping attached? Is someone supposed to be able to pull it off the car?
Is it maybe attached with silicone to the car? It is rock solid all around except for the area where I drew the arrow, right next to the latch.
Which brings me to another question - can the latch leak?

The weather stripping feels tight against the frame everywhere but where it's warped and I can easily pull on it and it will detach from the car in that area.
How is it normally attached and held in place?

 

Do you see any rust where the bump in the weather stripping is?

 

I actually don't. It's just dirt that's visible.
I am wondering if the weatherstrip is glued to the frame?
I do know this....the plastic trunk trim holds it in place but it is sealed tight all around except in that area.

It's where the previous owner ran the cable of the backup cam.
I am wondering if once I install the new cam, I should use weather stripping adhesive and glue it to the frame then hold in place with the plastic lining again.
Just trying to see if the weather stripping should be able to be pulled away from the car relatively easy or if it should be silicone/glued in place. Can you actually lift yours or is it tight to the frame?

 

Try to seal it up. But definitely knock out or at least cut the plugs in the bottom of the trunk well just above the rear subframe.

 

I think you are right. I just went out to the garage and checked the coupe and the roadster and they are firmly attached all the way around. I'd be tempted to get some black silicone caulk, apply a little on the frame and then hold down the weather stripping temporarily with some blue painters tape.

 

I can never find those things. Where are they located and how to best pull them out? Read somewhere you actually work them up into the well rather than pulling it out from under the car.

 

‘Thanks for checking. Wondering if it’s leaking cause the plastic trim cover is currently removed. I think that cover holds it in place. But either way, I think I should not be able to just pull the weatherstripping off the frame like that. Especially since it’s rock solid all around except that little area with the kink in it.
might just route the cable for backup cam under there again and then use some trim adhesive or silicone and glue it in place, the replace the trunk trim.

 

I think it's loose because the previous owner pulled to much of the seal down to run the wire. I agree with Hindin, get some Permatex black sealant. Clean the area with alcohol, refit the wire as best as you can, then put the sealer in place. Tape it down and let it cure for 24 hours. Also, as you said with plastic cover out, their might not be enough force to squash the seal. That may be why it's leaking.

 

imagine the least accessible spot above the axle.

 

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Actually, it is behind the axle (rearward) on the bottom of the well on both sides. The rubber 'plugs' can be punctured with a flat or Philips head screwdriver (mine is done this way and no problems at all). Again, the bottom of the rear well area on both sides, and easily punctured with a screwdriver.


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Really appreciate everyones input. I am going to run the new camera wire this weekend then use permatex to "glue" down the weather stripping to the body.
In the meantime going to hunt for those rubber grommets under the car and puncture them so water, if any got in can run out. Don't want the roadster electronics or central locking pump in those wells take a hit.
I think once the plastic trunk surround is back in, it will hold the weather stripping in place again.

Thanks for all the tips.

One more question re: cutting out the rubber grommet by the rear axle...I believe there is three of two of them in each side? I'm assuming just rupture both of them?

 

There are two, one in each wheel well. They are about the size of a quarter. You can pop them out or just cut a hole in them. I cut a hole in mine so that the rest of the plug would stay in place to prevent rust.
If I can find a picture when I get home I'll post it.

 

Can someone please circle the right area? Thanks guys!

 

@nickwe21 You can't see them from under the car because of the plastic covers. You have to access them from in the trunk. I just removed the centers and left the rest of the rubber in place to protect against rust.
The water will drain out onto the plastic covers underneath and run out onto the ground. You can test this by pouring a cup of water into the trunk well and watch it drain onto the floor.
Here are the pics. Sorry it took so long. The yellow arrows show there location.

 

Thanks so much for posting these. Why do I feel like a few folks were certain these grommets or plugs can be removed from underneath the car? It almost seems like it would not be covered by the plastic but rather right behind the axle, the grommets that are partially covered by underbody protection. But what the heck do I know LOL.
I still have the trunk apart to wire the cam all the way. Do the styrofoam panels just lift out? Any tips? Seems like now is the time to get rid of the plugs. Looks like you did not do all three on each side but just one, correct? Thanks again for the pictures!

 

You're welcome. Originally like you, I thought the same, that I would be able to see them from under the car. Yes, the black foam covers just lift out. I only cut a hole in one on each side because they are at the lowest point in the trunk wells.