[Jonsaved]

Hi,

I have water leaking into the left side plastic compartment where the wheel key, first aid kit, warning triangle and tool roll is located under the removable panel. It was half full of water so the tool roll was submerged and the first aid kit partially submerged.

I also have rain water in the battery compartment, which was about 3/16” deep.

The water in the plastic compartment appears to be dripping from above, behind the plastic trim but not sure where it is coming from.

I have no idea where the water in the battery compartment is coming from.

Can anyone help with this? I have looked at the tailgate seal and it looks ok, and also the rubber wiring conduit between the body and the tailgate, which also looks ok.

Could there be water in the chassis getting into the battery compartment? If so where are the drain holes/bungs?

Thanks in anticipation.

[x3sm]

Originally Posted by tomfromfife

Hi,

I have water leaking into the left side plastic compartment where the wheel key, first aid kit, warning triangle and tool roll is located under the removable panel. It was half full of water so the tool roll was submerged and the first aid kit partially submerged.

I also have rain water in the battery compartment, which was about 3/16” deep.

The water in the plastic compartment appears to be dripping from above, behind the plastic trim but not sure where it is coming from.

I have no idea where the water in the battery compartment is coming from.

Can anyone help with this? I have looked at the tailgate seal and it looks ok, and also the rubber wiring conduit between the body and the tailgate, which also looks ok.

Could there be water in the chassis getting into the battery compartment? If so where are the drain holes/bungs?

Thanks in anticipation.

I had that happen to me once and never happen again, even though we had more rain come through. I'm suspecting its coming from panoramic roof because I used it like 2 days prior to rain. There are drain tubes going at all four corners that might be stuffed and need cleaning. Seems like a lot of people had this happen.

[Jonsaved]

I should have mentioned that I do not have a sunroof

[Scout10]

Hmmm . . .
The only things back there that can leak then is a tail gate, and or side
windows. Carpet is getting wet back there also ?
First place i'd look is the tail gate seal, then tail gate window seal.
You can always put some paper on floor back there, shut the gate and add water via garden hose or car wash.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by Scout10

You can always put some paper on floor back there, shut the gate and add water via garden hose or car wash.

Seems like a good idea, maybe some paper towels or similar. Could use some tape to hold them. Basically put them around the hatchback area and close the door, get the car wet with a hose, and see which ones get wet.

If none do, then of course still check for water inside and start looking for drain holes. Wonder if there's a service manual available that would identify them?

[msj_atl]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

Seems like a good idea, maybe some paper towels or similar. Could use some tape to hold them. Basically put them around the hatchback area and close the door, get the car wet with a hose, and see which ones get wet.

If none do, then of course still check for water inside and start looking for drain holes. Wonder if there's a service manual available that would identify them?

My 2015 X3 is in the shop for water leakage into the same compartment... oddly enough there are drain plugs there so someone had the thought that water might leak and end up in battery compartment. Unfortunately, the control module for the rear hatch is also in there and got fried and needs to be replaces - explains the possessed rear hatch I had. I was told water can come in there because of plugged drains for the sunroof or a leaking gasket for the "shark fin" antenna for the GPS/SatRadio.

Good Luck.

[Jonsaved]

Thanks for the responses.

I have a new tailgate seal, which looks easy enough to replace except along the bottom sill across the bottom Does that sill need to come off to replace the sill or can the seal be fitted without removing it? If the sill has to come off then the the trim at each side needs to come off and the luggage rails.

Has anyone changed their tailgate seal?

[Jonsaved]

OK, I finally tackled the tailgate seal replacement on my X3 F25.
There are no instructions on the newtis site, but it does how to remove the luggage compartment lower sill.

So, go to this page on newtis.....

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...blind/EWRbYIsy

When you get to the 4th image and you have the adjustable lashing rails installed then ignore that instruction and go here but don’t remove the wheel arch covers. Just remove the 2 screws at the top rear of the covers. That will give enough movement to remove other parts. Only remove trim on the left side as the sill can be lifted and removed without removing the trim on the right.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...panel/Hd0ZVNnw

Go back to the first link.
One of the screws under the sill is tricky because of the proximity to the battery but is possible using a small 90 degree ratchet.

In the second to last image on the page it states remove the edge guard. That doesn’t appear to be possible so ignore it.
Lift off the sill which is held by 4 clips.

Remove the old seal and install the new one ensuring it is pushed on firmly.
Ensure the vulcanised join in the seal is at the centre bottom.

Reassemble all the trim panels.
The instructions refer to replacing the clips. I had no trouble with any clips breaking.

[Scout10]

SOOooo did you ever verify where water was entering ?
Says you replaced the gate seal.

[Jonsaved]

I believe the water in the left hand compartment at the rear was coming from the top left of the tailgate seal. The old seal looked as if water could have entered in that area.

For water in the battery compartment, I am not sure whether that was the tailgate seal or not so will monitor that. It seems that the grommet that goes through the floor on the front left of the battery compartment may me letting water in, but will monitor frequently and update here.

[Jonsaved]

I think the water was going under the seal and over the metal ‘flange’ then down behind the trim that is over the D Pillar.
The water was definitely running down behind and on the D Pillar trim and then dripping into the storage tray, cleverly missing the electronics.

[Jonsaved]

Tailgate seal didn’t fix the water leak. The seal needed replacing anyway but where is the water getting in. I don’t have a sunroof so it’s not drain tubes.

The only thing it could be is the rubber wiring Flexi tube
It’s not rear light seal as the leak is too high.

Has anyone sealed the Flexi tube where it joins the d pillar with silicone?

[lobeydosser]

I don't have an X3, but am thinking about getting one.

Looking at some review sites and Youtube videos I'm sure I saw a mention of water leaks from "the third brake light".
I'm guessing that means the high-level brake light in the tailgate.

Might be worth a look.

[Jonsaved]

Thanks for the response.
It appears that the rain water is getting under the wiring grommet from body to tailgate. Where the grommet enters the D-pillar it is double skin metalwork. It appears that the water is running down between the skins and exiting where the plastic mount for the d-pillar trim is screwed to the d-pillar. I think some careful application of silicone under the grommet will fix it.

The car is going anyway. It’s 5 years old exactly with 43650 on the clock and has whining transmission, noisy turbo and rattling timing chain. All that and a water leak has signed its end.

[Jonsaved]

Problem fixed. My bodywork specialist sealed the wiring grommet so all ok now

[8383]

Hi Jonsaved,

My x3 has water pooling on the right side in the compartment. I see there is a hose there, do you think that it could be leaking?

[i068]

My 2013 F25 got a different situation, a leaking water container I put in cargo space caused water in battery compartment for around 1 inch deep. Is there a drain hole that can free those water?

[Morelsky]

Hi guys, I have been searching, looking for answers, consulting, reading posts and talking to mechanics to know where the water in my trunk is coming from when raining heavily. Nobody found the cause. Where is the leak? It was a mystery until yesterday.

A guy that works at the auto glass repair shop made a test for me. He splits water with a hose on the top edge of the back glass. Nothing. He did it again but this time on the top edge of the red third brake lamp that is on the spoiler, you know, the red plastic lamp. BINGO!! The water was entering into the cargo area from the 3rd brake red lamp. Water all over exactly like when raining, on the same spot.

Now the one million dollar question is how to take the 3rd lamp off in order to reseal it.

If you know how, please send /post some videos here.

[pungo]

Manual

[najnad]

I had the same problem after my rear door was replaced after I was rear ended, the body shop repaired it with a new brake light and new gasket/sealant.

[cedchung]

Originally Posted by Morelsky

Hi guys, I have been searching, looking for answers, consulting, reading posts and talking to mechanics to know where the water in my trunk is coming from when raining heavily. Nobody found the cause. Where is the leak? It was a mystery until yesterday.

A guy that works at the auto glass repair shop made a test for me. He splits water with a hose on the top edge of the back glass. Nothing. He did it again but this time on the top edge of the red third brake lamp that is on the spoiler, you know, the red plastic lamp. BINGO!! The water was entering into the cargo area from the 3rd brake red lamp. Water all over exactly like when raining, on the same spot.

Now the one million dollar question is how to take the 3rd lamp off in order to reseal it.

If you know how, please send /post some videos here.

Hi
Did you manage to fix the problem?
I have the exact same issue.
Thanks

[Julianne Bowers]

I have an E93 2009 Convertible; I also had rain water in my trunk; left side. Left side is where the amp is located; and of course it has taken out the amp; power to the amp is illuminated in the trunk, radio lights up and shows currrent station and song info but no sound and no telephone. I am hesitant to replace the amp before I can determine where the rain came in. I have checked gaskets and seals, etc. as has been recommended..Any help would be greatly appreciated.