crisp76

I was cleaning out my trunk today since I have noticed a moldy musty smell inside the car. I found the right side of the trunk compartment fully soaked and totally rusted out my factory jack. Some of it overflowed to the spare tire area. Any ideas? Not sure what that hose is near the jack on the right side. I have owned this car for 11 years and no accidents.

LeX2K

This happened to me, my ES was and is pristine except for that area there is plastic splash shield behind the tire it traps mud, dirt and moisture which sits in there are rots out the seam.

That hose is one of the sunroof drains.

crisp76

We’re you able to fix your leak? If so, which specific area was it? Mine looks like it was coming from the right side and overflowed to the spare tire area. I vacuumed and dried everything up.

LeX2K

I cleaned up the loose rust, removed what was left of the seam sealer then etched with phosphoric acid. Filled the seams with POR-15 patch, painted with POR-15 paint. Then painted with body colour. Fairly involved process. First step is remove the tire then the plastic liner see what is going on.

crisp76

Is the plastic liner you’re referring to the second picture? That hexagon looking thing?

LeX2K

No outside of the car wheel well behind the tire.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

Check the outer tail light lamp gaskets. They dry out and leak water inside the trunk. I had to replace mine when for the same reason as you - water in the trunk. Try drying the trunk, then spray water from the outside on the tail lamps and see if it’s getting inside.

LeX2K

Hopefully it's only a gasket. I can't be sure by your pics but I think I see rust in the seam sealer where the wheel well stamping joins with the quarter panel. That's what I dealt with.

Jrb2u

You need to really check out the tail light for small crack or bad gasket. Mine had a crack I could barely see and every time I went thru a car wash that well would fill.

crisp76

I poured water right above the passengers tail light and water is leaking right where the tip of this screwdriver is pointing. Can this be the gasket for the tail light?

Tip of the screwdriver. Picture taken when it was dry.

Jrb2u

Sounds like the gasket but you can purchase a small tube of clear glass silicone sealant, the best they sell & go completely around the gasket/lens carefully not to much, then smooth it out with your index finger, again carefully & once dry it should seal up any gaps...carefully!

Jrb2u

You might even first try and just tighten the the whole fixture in, it may just be loose.

crisp76

Thanks, I’ll check for looseness and if it’s tight, I will just buy a new gasket. I think the dealer wants $38.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

Do it right and get new gaskets. Shop online.

crisp76

I will. Is lexuspartsnow.com pretty good?