anyone else experienced this? its only rained a couple of times, plus i had this happen when i washed the car at the weekend. When i open the rear hatch, a fairish volume of water came pouring out from below the rear window seal on the drivers (RH) side only. my car is parked nose up on a sloping drive but its sat square left to right so i'm not sure why this is only coming out of the one side. it looks like water is being captured and is only released when the hatch is opened. it runs out over the rear light harmlessly enough but i'm worried for long term damage. i need to take a closer look to see if there's a channel blocked on that side but i wondered if anyone else has seen this?
water pouring out of hatch when opening?
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I'll keep an eye out for this... I do remember water dripping from the hatch as I opened it once and going over the light, but I didn't notice where it came from.
I have noticed water pooling on the flat ledge above the rear bumper... I park slightly nose down.
I have noticed water pooling on the flat ledge above the rear bumper... I park slightly nose down.
I had exactly the same problem yesterday, after washing the car for the first time. Had just finished the drying etc, opened the hatch to wipe whatever stray drips had worked themselves behind the seal, and had a load of water dumped over the back of the roof (mostly on the right hand side) and down the sides. Which was annoying, as I had to dry everything again, but obviously a concern for any water that remains in this channel.
pjsjr13 mentions the same problem in another thread.
I just went to check my seal, and had some more drips come out, so it's still wet from yesterday. The bottom window seal looks ok, but I think the water is getting in between the glass and the metal frame around the sides: there is no rubber seal at all along each side, so the water is going in there (Probably more so if you are washing it) and then sitting behind the bottom rubber seal. It then only tips out when you lift the door up.
Seems like a bad design: are you supposed to leave the hatch open after washing (or rain) so that the water can drain out?
When you were washing your car, were you using a hose/jet-wash? I was standing mostly on the right hand side, which may explain why there was more on one side than the other...
Well they've had a look and have ordered a replacement seal plus the clips that hold it in place. Looking at the cars on their forecourt they all demonstrated the same problem to some extent, 4 were the same as mine only a couple had the seal pushed tight against the glass on the right hand side so it seems like its a factory problem, albeit a minor one
Would you be able to post a picture here so we can see the problem? I just washed mine again and had the same problem, but my seal seems to be uniform all the way round.
Do you know if they put this on a database somewhere, so other dealers will be aware?
Thanks
Do you know if they put this on a database somewhere, so other dealers will be aware?
Thanks
This is the left hand end, nice and tight against the glass and the body
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This is the right hand end. The gap to the body isnt the problem but it shows how the seal isnt sat correctly. The gap to glass is what is allowing the water into the channel
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This is the right hand end. The gap to the body isnt the problem but it shows how the seal isnt sat correctly. The gap to glass is what is allowing the water into the channel
That's really helpful, thanks.
Both of my seals look the same as your left one I.e. Snug, so it will be interesting to see whether the fix resolves the problem.
I did another wet test just now, but only on the hatch bit, and I think that the water is somehow accumulating inside the roof spoiler...there are bits of it which are hollow, and there are also small reservoirs to accommodate the screws that hold the spoiler in place. I tried to take a photo but my camera wouldn't focus so close up. And also there was water inside the opening between the glass and the metal frame of the hatch...up the sides, rather than along the bottom where there is a seal...as in your right side picture, following the glass as it goes down to the right: There is a channel about a centimetre deep, with what looks like a recessed, gun-applied rubber sealant between the frame and the glass. It may be an actual seal, but it is fairly irregular, rather than firm and even, the way a ring-type rubber seal would be. These two areas combined seem to be producing the water, when the hatch is opened to the fully up position. Are the roof spoilers different on the MC vs MCS, do you know? Mine is an MC.
Both of my seals look the same as your left one I.e. Snug, so it will be interesting to see whether the fix resolves the problem.
I did another wet test just now, but only on the hatch bit, and I think that the water is somehow accumulating inside the roof spoiler...there are bits of it which are hollow, and there are also small reservoirs to accommodate the screws that hold the spoiler in place. I tried to take a photo but my camera wouldn't focus so close up. And also there was water inside the opening between the glass and the metal frame of the hatch...up the sides, rather than along the bottom where there is a seal...as in your right side picture, following the glass as it goes down to the right: There is a channel about a centimetre deep, with what looks like a recessed, gun-applied rubber sealant between the frame and the glass. It may be an actual seal, but it is fairly irregular, rather than firm and even, the way a ring-type rubber seal would be. These two areas combined seem to be producing the water, when the hatch is opened to the fully up position. Are the roof spoilers different on the MC vs MCS, do you know? Mine is an MC.
I suspect that it probably is glass sealant. Did you get an install date for your new seal? Would really appreciate an update on whether it solves your issue...post-less threads disappear pretty quickly, so please do follow up if you can. I am going to hold off taking mine back in to Mini for the minute, as this doesn't seem to be an issue for anyone else on here, and I can't actually demonstrate a faulty seal in the same way as you.
that's partly the issue, kenl: the water only comes out if you remember to open the hatch after you have washed it, or after it has rained. After washing I left mine for two days, as a test, and then opened the hatch, and the water still came out. So it is pooling somewhere within the hatch door, rather than running out and off, around the edges, as you would expect. Not so much of an issue for me, as I have a garage, and can leave the hatch open overnight if I have washed it, or it rains, but I suspect a few people who park in the street will not have that option. Trapped water is liable to get moss/mildew etc, over time, which won't be great if you haven't driven for a while, and open the hatch to be drenched with green, foul-smelling water.
I can see from the stats page that a fair number of people are looking at this thread, but not commenting. It would be helpful if others could do the hatch splash test, and report back, as Peter has done, so that we can establish whether it is a design flaw where there are pockets inside the hatch where water collects, or a seal fitting flaw. That way, if we have to go back to the dealer, we are able to say that x number of people are having the same issue, and across all markets. Or maybe it is just Hat, Peter and I?
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OK. I poured several watering cans of water over the rear of the car, most of it running into the gap between the roof and the spoiler. Also poured water down the gaps between the rear window and the side of the car.
Left it for 30 minutes and raised the hatch fully. Result, virtually no water came out - just a few drips.
Left it for 30 minutes and raised the hatch fully. Result, virtually no water came out - just a few drips.
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We had a bit of rain today so I checked the hatch when I got home... a bit of water came out from the corners of the windows. My seal is up against the glass on both sides.
I did notice that the main doors have drainage holes at the bottom corner (like the bonnet), but I don't think the hatch does.
I did notice that the main doors have drainage holes at the bottom corner (like the bonnet), but I don't think the hatch does.
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