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Water leak issue.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by sciencekit, Jan 20, 2015.

  1. sciencekit

    sciencekit Junior Member

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    Replaced my spark plugs today, and when I disconnected the 12V battery, found a surprise.

    In the 12V compartment, there was ~1 to 1.5 inches of water in the bottom, and rust. After removing all the pans, trim, and spare tire, I found ~1 inch of water in the spare tire well, and~0.25 inches of water in the left compartment (where I usually store small tools). So, all three of the low spots in the rear of the vehicle were wet. Checked the gasket / weather seal of the hatch, but it seems like new. No deformations, or damage, and is just as pliable as it was 10 years ago. The only evidence I could find it a stain left from a water trickle on the left.... but could find no evidence on how it could make it from the left, to the spare wheel well, and then to the 12V battery compartment (where the most water was found). I have uploaded some photos, from left to right, with "Left2.jpg" showing the water stain.

    Has anyone else had their hatch leak, and in such an odd fashion?
     

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    #1 sciencekit, Jan 20, 2015
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    very common. it's usually a seam weld between panels, or the hatch hinge points. one guy did have a broken rear windscreen washer line though.
     
    #2 bisco, Jan 20, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2015
  3. Yakoma

    Yakoma Active Member

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    Got a similar issue with mine but haven't had it around to troubleshoot it (daughter has it at school). My leak doesn't appear to be quite as bad. Looked at the body seams but haven't identified it yet. I do know that the rubber on the rear hatchback switch is compromised and I suspect water may be ingressing there. My other suspicion is the wheelwell vents as they were damp when I inspected them. Plan to fix the switch at the next opportunity and monitor for further water accumulation.

    OP, search for "leak" and you should find the threads that Bisco referenced above.
     
    #3 Yakoma, Jan 20, 2015
  4. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Did you perform a search before posting? Searching "water spare," pulls up a lot of other threads with the same issue (water infiltration).

    Read the following thread in its entirety! If you do so, you will be able to duplicate the steps OP performed, and most likely find where the water is entering the car.
    http://priuschat.com/threads/water-filling-driver-side-floor-pan.140242/#axzz3PRRj7bmR

    If the car had ever been in an accident, perhaps poor body repair?

    Don't forget to check for possible water leakage via the tail light assembly (brake light/parking light/reverse light)
     
    #4 exstudent, Jan 21, 2015
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2015
  5. sciencekit

    sciencekit Junior Member

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    Excellent. Thanks for the information. The Prius has not been in any accidents. Will check out the link to see if that solution will work for my situation.
     
    #5 sciencekit, Jan 21, 2015
  6. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Yep u probably have a body seam leak.
    Right next to the hatch hinges in the corner valley you will see where the quarter panel meets the roof and the seam is not painted over .
    It may be a crack also that travels from there to under the black plastic trim piece that covers the roof valley. That just pops off.
    In the meantime take out the black rubber plugs under the spare tire so the water can drain out.
     
    #6 edthefox5, Jan 21, 2015
  7. sciencekit

    sciencekit Junior Member

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    Thanks. It appears to be the most likely cause. I couldn't find instructions on removing the black plastic trim that covers the roof valleys. Do they pop off in an upwards motion?

    Will search for cracks and repair them this weekend. Might as well add some further sound proofing back in the hatch area while the interior trim is out. At least I enjoy tinkering.
     
    #7 sciencekit, Jan 22, 2015
  8. Yakoma

    Yakoma Active Member

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    They just pull off...if you have some nylon prying tools, it may help.
     
    #8 Yakoma, Jan 22, 2015
  9. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    yes those black strips pop right off. Trying to picture if its easier to open the hatch revealing the end edge and its easier to lift up the edge but my car is not here right now. Good time to wash the car and wash that valley out after you remove them. Those strips are like $100 at the dealer btw. I need some just cant see spending $200 on those strips at the moment because they dont look new.

    Dealer sells plastic conditioner called Back to Black that works well. Red bottle. hard to find in auto parts store.
     
    #9 edthefox5, Jan 22, 2015
  10. nazzynaznaz

    nazzynaznaz New Member

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    Hi I have the same issue now Sciencekit! Mine is the result of bad body work. I had my windshield and roof replaced after a tree branch smashed them. My questions to you are: didn't your car stink ? and did you ever manage to solve the problem? does a water leak ever truly get resolved or is it basically a matter of time before the car is totally sabotaged?
     
    #10 nazzynaznaz, Jun 14, 2015
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no, you usually can't smell the water sitting in the 12v battery area. yes, people have had success repairing the seam and hinge leaks. it sounds like you need to have a talk with your insurance company and body shoppe.
     
    #11 bisco, Jun 14, 2015
  12. GatorJZ

    GatorJZ Member

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    I know this is an older thread, but I had a 2008 Touring leak in area not mentioned...where the rear spoiler mounts to the body. Of the 4 bolts, one was very loose, one less so and two just needed to be snugged up a bit. Since I did that, zero water intrusion after 2 storms and 5 minutes of blasting the car with a garden hose. Note: the interior trim piece covering this area just pulls off and snaps back in...no screws, etc.
     
    #12 GatorJZ, Aug 8, 2019
    bisco likes this.
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