Water leak - at my wits end. Need help / info with panels

Hi, I have a water leak into rear load area. Been trying to cure leak for last 12 months!! Water runs down between the outer and inner skins of the tailgate opening emerging into rear light cover or out of joint of trunk inner skin to wheel arch if car is sitting at angle. I cannot understand how water can get into these panels? There is no obvious entry point. The channel around the tailgate is clear and sealed where the two panels join. The paint is perfect all around the opening showing no cracks or any sign of damage. Does anyone know how the rear end panels join around the tailgate area? I love the Cayman but I am now seriously thinking of selling car as I cannot live with the water ingress any longer. Porsche dealer cannot find leak he has had two goes at it which has cost me over £200. Clive

My guess is you need to replace the seal on the hatch. But first find the leak. Close all cabin doors and hatch, cabin air valve set to recirculate Open a window a few inches Affix leaf blower into window and stuff a damp towel in the remaining window gap Spray soapy water over hatch, around the seal Turn on leaf blower and look for bubbles FYI, I have never tried the above method.

This sounds familiar. Are you sure water is getting inside the tailgate (I assume you have a Cayman - so I would call it the hatch)? There are other places more likely. I think there was a thread with a similar problem a few years ago. Unfortunately, I don't remember the solution. One thing that is a possible source is the roof-carrier channels have a drain hole under the plastic cover. I believe there is a tube in each channel allows it to drain below the chassis. Another possible leak source is the seal of the tail-light assembly itself.

Thanks for suggestions. It is definitly not the hatch seal leaking. The water runs down between the double skin making up the sides of the hatch opening. It emerges at the bottom by the lights. The inside of the panels in trunk are not wet. Water just drips out at the lowest point from a hole by lights. I have looked at the roof carrier channels. I could not see any drains. It looks as if water is meant to run along the channels and drains out by hinge and down side of the tailgate. I still cannot understand how water can get into the double skin. Thanks for help. Clive

I would completely strip the carpets and plastic panels from the rear load area. Clean and dry entire area. Wet the entire rear exterior of the car and make sure it is at the angle when the leak occurs. You need to strip the trunk of the panels to see if water is entering somewhere behind the panels. When you see water on the floor look at walls of the trunk there will always be a few telltale drops remaining. Did you buy the car new or used? If purchased used it's anyones guess what type of prior repairs were performed. Was there prior body repairs performed? Possibilities are leaks at tail light, roof drain luggage carrier, rear window seal in hatch, or an open seam in a body joint. There is also seal at the top of the hatch on the body covering the hatch hinges.Take your time you will find the leak and then you will be able to enjoy your car again.

How are the rubber seals on your roof carrier? By the way, when does the leak show up; heavy or light rain? It has been my experience that finding leaks is difficult at the best of times and normally ends up not being in the area one would expect. In any case, check the hatch top seal by closing the hatch on a 4x8 piece of paper-if you can easily remove the paper that's likely where the leak starts.

Hello Got cayman , Thanks for advice. I have owned car from new. It has never had any bodywork done in fact it has only done 10000 miles. I have done just what you have suggested, striped interior etc a number of times over last year. I can clearly see where the water is dripping into the rear load area. If you remove the inside plastic rear light covers water can clearly be seen dripping out end of the double skin forming edge of tailgate opening. I really need to understand the body construction to be able to work out just how water can get between the skins.

Hi also a 987.2 owner, I have the exact same problem. The leak is coming from the side of the rear light where thw two panel are spot welded together. I am still trying to find a way to fix this. If anyone is interested I can post images.

Hello - and welcome to Planet-9, the Friendly Porsche Forum! The thead you replied to is over a decade old, and most of the people who intiailly were in the thread haven't been seen for a decade or two.. Photos would be most useful to understand your issue. Please DO read the link at the top of every page on the site about how to post effective photos to Planet-9 !!

Crack window open, RiG up an airline and seal window. Take cabin filter out and wrap with kitchen plastic wrap and reinstall filter. Add air through air hose in window and plug any major loss areas you discover. Soapy water mix in spray bottle areas in question . In a separate test For rubber gaskets around doors hatch etc. I use sidewalk chalk held sideways and rub entire contact area with chalk. Hose down car wait for it to mostly dry off.. Open doors and hatch.. Leakage is shown by a fully washed away chalk line..