Rain Gutter

[GarytheSnail]

I have a leak in the back 5 inches of my passenger side rain gutter, seen here.

How would I best go about sealing the leak?

[Sponsor]

[02fordsvt]

I can't really tell from the picture where the leak is and if it's not leaking inside the car, it should be a problem, but you could try sealing it with clear silicone. It shouldn't be very noticeable and will plug the leak.

[TerryB]

That's not your problem. There's nothing under the black strip. It's only held with double sided tape. Your problem is most likely a leak under the light housing. I have one on the drivers side. You could try sealing the holes some how.

[Sniper Focus]

For me the leak was where all the layers of metal meet, the seam sealer where the roof and hatch jamb had hairline cracks in it. I pasted some more seam sealer over it and it has been leak free.

[GarytheSnail]

I posted this in the regular General Technical Chat.

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=308385

TerryB: I have sealed the leaks from the tail lights. I know for certain it is leaking in the last 5 inches of the rain gutter. Are you saying I could pry up the rubber, seal under it, and then use silicone adhesive to reattach?

Here's where it's dripping: http://i.imgur.com/WWulIWw.jpg

I've ruled out any leaks below the red line: http://i.imgur.com/bi4GkbW.jpg

Sniper Focus: Could you take some pictures of where you sealed? I'm not quite sure where, "the seam sealer where the roof and hatch jamb..." is.That would help immensely.

[Sniper Focus]

Basically any place that slabs of sheet metal meet, the part in green jumped out at me, but it's still hard to tell by the pic.



The hinges put a lot of stress on that area and Ford did a poor job with the seam sealer. If you push up on the hatch door while it's open you can see the cracks move and where they are. Not to say it couldn't be the tail lights, but I was chasing windmills with taillights and window triangles for months was until I found an obscure thread about the seam cracks.

[GarytheSnail]

Thank you so much. That helps a lot.

I held a towel directly behind the roof gutter to isolate it, poured water on it, making sure it didn't drip down to the seams, and water still got in. So I'm 99% positive it is under, or directly behind the rubber trim over the rain gutter.

I actually did a serious deep cleaning to my car after I bought it off craigslist. Took out ALL the interior, save for the dash. Carpet, all the seats, plastic pieces (around the hatch door too), headlining, looked like a rally car in there. Figured I'd find all the leaks while I could see them easily. It had leaks behind both tail lights, a leak coming through a separation in the sheet metal seam around the gas cap door, and through tiny cracks in the hatch door at the corners which you can see the black silicone on that picture. Each time I sealed one and tested with a hose, the amount lessened.

[TerryB]

Go with Sniper's advice now that I see where the leak is dripping. Water will find it's lowest point to drip. It could be coming in 2-3" away from the drip. I'd reseal any seams you can find. Trying to reattach that rubber strip might be a PITA.