Damp/Wet Boot under Spare Wheel!

[Lancer1993]

So not sure where to post this but today when cleaning my boot I noticed some damp under the floor lining.

I was on the left (passenger) side, only noticed it because there was some reusable bags that looked damp when I moved them.


So I checked behind the lining on that side, all dry.


So took out the spare wheel...



It was all damp under the wheel.


This is some extra lining I had put in, made of the same stuff as the new boot floor carpet from Bunnings.


But its like a big sponge... this was several minutes after I took it out and put it in the full sun, lifted it up only for water to run out like this.


Here is the under side of the spare.


Now in full disclosure I had got some turf just before but it was not wet, plus I'd lined the boot with a tarp before had and was in the process of vacuuming the boot carpet when I saw the damp bit.


So the question is how long has it been like this and how did water get in? I has been wet around here lately but I hardly open my boot when its raining and I'm not under cover.

And unfortunately I don't remember the last time I took the spare out, maybe over a year or 18 months since the trip to Adelaide.

Is there any history of leaky boots in the CJ sedan?

[bumblebee]

I have never had water in my boot like this

[chris]

I think its condensation from the turf just the way the water droplets have formed and your in humid Queensland

[Lancer1993]

The turf was in the boot maybe 30 min, the condensation was below the spare and the tarp was not wet.

I'll load the boot back up in the morning, this time without the 'sponge' protection I added. And will check it in a few weeks/month to see if it returns.

Maybe its a warning for all of use, clean out the boot and remove the spare every few months just to make sure things are okay and you're not carrying crap you don't need... now time to get that tow bar!

[Lancer1993]

BTW I'd sprayed the boot with some WD silicone spray, which protects against moisture.

[bumblebee]

That can of businesses might be the clue maybe

But looking at the.photos the big black sponge you shoved in with all water it sucked.up is most definitely not going to help you not one little bit

[aspir3]

Check your boot seals. Do you ever park the car outside on a hill?
If your car on parked a steep enough hill sloping downhill the water will not run off the boot and make enter the boot if the seal is not sealing against the boot lid.

[Lancer1993]

The 'sponge' was not intentional, it was meant as extra protection for the wheel.

I will check the seal around the boot but with a service booked in for next week I'll be asking them to check the seal also, as I have no idea how it got so wet.

Remember about a year ago it had some repairs so maybe the seals are not working but every time I've washed it no water has gone in that I have seen and I open the boot to wipe around the channel under the rear glass. Also when its being wash its on a slope but usually with the boot lower than the front.

As I said it was wet on the left on the bit next to the spare wheel, the right was dry. The left also has the vent thing, which I checked and it was dry but maybe rain water off the road got in there?

[bumblebee]

The "vent thing" above the rear wheel will let a bit of dust in . Water will come thru it if you hit it with a firehose and full rip. Otherwise water wont go thru it. Pretty much all cars have that.
Road water wont go thru it. Nor will water from a car wash.
If that was the case my boot would be in total flood. And no doubt the boot of thousands of others.
Could be a boot seal for sure.
Had anything else in the boot you have transport that was wet? Esky perhaps with ice and drinks with the bung that wasnt sealed and leaked water everywhere?

[powermad]

It does look like condensation, rather than a inundation from rain, etc.

If it were me I’d dry it as much as possible and leave it open for a good air. Maybe even use a hair dryer given your area’s humidity. Then see if it returns.

If not, the lawn likely the culprit. Any greenlife gives off moisture.

[Lancer1993]

Only other stuff in the car is the usual reusable cooler shopping bags, but I avoid putting anything wet in the boot.

I'm hoping it was the turf, how every unlikely given how short a time it was in there.

I gave it a last with the hot air gun and put the spare and a few basic stuff back in there. Will leave it empty (of the other crap) when I take it in for the service, just to get the once over.

[bumblebee]

Did the turf come from a turf farm?
Is so there is your answer more then likely.
Have you seen the amount of water that gets sprayed around on a turf farm?

[Lancer1993]

No it was from a shop, not convinced it was the issue as they whole boot would have been moist but it was under the spare and floor.

Either way they will check it at the service for any obvious problems like the weather seal. Its hard to tell how long it was there as no signs of rust except on the bolt holding the wheel in place (check the photos)

How long would water need to be down there for problems to start?

[bumblebee]

Not sure how long it will take to start
But a great rust remove is plain old white vinegar

[Lancer1993]

No sign of rust and I did give it a decent spray with the WD.

Might give it a wash before the service and see if any sign of water gets in.