BTDT on boot leaks from the rear lights

[Nuvo]

You need to remove the number plate panel to reveal two screws underneath the "ridged edge protector" trim you want to remove. Unscrew these and then you can lift it up and off. That's my memory of this from years ago at any rate.

[newsh]

I cant remember, is it behind the centre section?

[newsh]

Nuvo beat me to it!

[AndyP]

So how do you remove the number plate surround? I can see the 2 screws holding it on, but they need to be unscrewed from the outside and there is no obvious way of getting to the head?

[1781cc]

Pull it off, if its the same as my b3 and B4 avant it's got that sealant stuff sticking it on now

[Nuvo]

The plate surround or "tub" as the Americans call it is held in place with black non-setting sealant.

You need to get something like a cutlery knife between the plate surround and the panel behind it and work the knife in and around the sides to break the sealant bond. The sealant is quite pliant so you should reach a point where you can pull the plate surround out. Just go easy and take your time and you'll be fine.

I see you've got the offside side tail lamp removed so you should be well versed with how to handle the sealant.

[AndyP]

Thanks, just figured that out and it's now off at last!



Now going to clean off all the old sealant and rebuild it all. Hopefully no more water leaks now.

[Nuvo]

As is always the case, it's easy when you know how.

Once you replace the sealant and refitted the lamps and licence plate surround it is a good idea to nip up the hex nuts a week or so later to ensure a good seal is made.

[newsh]

And wrap a thin "worm" of sealant around the 2 bolts that hold the tub on and the screws that hold the upper trim, especially the ones that screw downwards.

[AndyP]

Decided to give it all a good clean and polish before putting it all back together. Took ages to get all the old sealant off, but at least it now has a good clean surface to seal.



These are the holes that hold on the black plastic trim mentioned in earlier posts


The top two in this pic are the hidden ones that I couldn't find before, the other 2 are for mounting the number plate holder.


I've put a small bead of silicone around all the holes I could find in the back panel. I've also put it on all the bolts.




I'll report back when we've had some rain and let you know if this works or not.

[johne]

This is a great image because it shows why it's vital to seal those screwholes that hold the top trim given that they go through a horizontal channel that all the water off the hatchback runs over just desperate to run into our cars and con us it's come through the rear light clusters

John

[Nuvo]

I agree that Andy's picture clearly shows how water could pass over the top of the tail lamps and into the boot space. My question is how can the water even reach the screw heads when the holes are plugged with caps?

edit: I assume water doesn't take the path through the holes in the boot edge protector but instead it passes down the outside edge of the boot seal and into the screw hole openings on the body and wicks down the screw heads.

[Tonybolony]

Ive recently had the same misted windows on my Avant. With the tailgate open, carpet lifted, and spare wheel cover lifted, below the tailgate aperture bottom plastic trim are 4no 10mm holes in a horizontal row, prob 100mm apart. There are very obvious signs that water and road dirt has been entering the spare wheel well thro these holes. Can I just seal them, or am I then likely to end up with the rear crossmember filled with water/muck.
Any suggestions?