So like many SRT6 owners, I had a leaky hatch/spoiler.

I re-did the O-rings on the spoiler mount points, re-sealed the panel (my factory seal was toast), fixed the inside damage that the water caused and...

Well it still leaked. Ok, no problem. I packed the hatch panel cavity full of paper towels, took it to a hand-spray high pressure wash, and found that water was getting into the bottom left part of the cavity.

Sigh. So I disassembled everything, removed the seals, and laid down brand new neoprene foam "D" strip seals and new O-rings for the spoiler mounts. To be extra safe, I removed the rubber feet and used Mortite to seal those to the side of the hatch (since I thought maybe water was getting in through there.)

Pack the cavity with paper towels, back to the car wash, and...

Still leaking.

ARGH!

Does anybody have any other suggestions on 1) how the hell to figure out where it's leaking 2) what to do to fix it?

Apart from this I love the car, but the amount of time I've spent tracking down this damn leak is making me seriously consider just trading it for its elder brother (SLK32)...

Thanks!
-Rob

 

Rob - here's what worked for me:

If you have a roll of the Moretite, use one "bead" of it to seal the panel by putting the bead in the factory "channel" on the panel. Use 3 beads on the area the goes around the Chrysler emblem.

I also took some Moretite, rolled it thin and put it in the bottom of the wells where the spoiler feet set.

Took it to high pressure manual and auto washes and ran a garden hose around the seal and gaps and have 0 leaks.

Good luck!!

RL

 

Sorry, I should have elaborated more: my first attempt was using Mortite!

I'm wondering if perhaps the water's not getting in through the spoiler panel area, but perhaps from somewhere else? Are there any other through-points that I'm missing?

 

Rob

In your original post, you said you removed the seals and laid down brand new neoprene "D" strip seals. Where did you use those seals?

RL

 

I used the "D" seals to seal the area where the hatch panel (the one that the spoiler attaches to) fits onto the rest of the trunk assembly.

The first time around I used Mortite for that area, but since that didn't work I figured I should try a "proper" seal.

 

Ah - OK - I'm catching on now.

Unfortunately, I don't have any insight on your situation since the Moretite worked for me on the first round. I can't think of any other way water can get in there other than that seal area. I have heard that some have used an RTV type sealant but once it cures, you won't have an easy time removing the panel if it still leaks.

Maybe double up on the Moretite?

RL

 

I think the sealant itself is fine, just maybe I'm not putting it in the right place?

The other issue I thought of was the O-rings -- what size should I use? Maybe I'm not using the right sized rings and water's getting in that way?

 

I'm sure you have seen this post - https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...ing-plate.html - and the o-ring size that the Original Poster used is a #011 (5/16" ID x 1/16") as listed in post #13.

As far as not getting the sealer in the right place - are you following the factory "channel" on the panel?
Here is a pic of my panel with the Moretite applied to it. Does that look familiar to what you are doing?

RL

 

What about the rubber boots at the top of the hatch, they are known to leak when they tear. The water runs down inside beside the glass.
The foam seals come in open and closed cell types, open cell type lets water through the individual gaps and is basically like a filter. Closed cell is .... closed, no leaks.