Hey guys,

I'm having water infiltration somewhere in the rear of my L322. It pools in the spare tire well. I'm having a hard time ascertaining exactly where the water in getting in though. There is nothing wet in the upper region of the hatch or tailgate. The only moisture is right near the bottom of the tailgate and there is water visible near the tailgate to load floor flap, as well as underneath that area in behind the sheet metal. I've pulled the drain plug for now to help alleviate the water build up. My amp and other electronics on the left and right side of the trunk/boot are all dry.

What signs should I look for that are indicative of a leak in the hatch surround seal (#6), and what would indicate the lower hatch seal (#7) is leaking? Both seals appear to be clean and unharmed.

I also read an old thread about water getting in through the bolts that secure the tow bar/recovery hook structure to the rear of the body. Any suggestions on how to test for this?

We have been getting a lot of rain lately, so I haven't been able to do any targeted water flow testing with the garden hose yet, and really I wouldn't even know what to look for at this point anyhow.

Any advice is appreciated!

 2006 Range Rover 4.4L Gas
2006 BMW 330i 6MT
2024 Mazda CX-5

I had similar problems when I first got our RR, I eventually tracked it down to the water seal around the whole hatch. It was getting under the metal that holds it onto the thin metal surround. The quick cost effective solution for my issue was to get some "gutter sealant" from any of the many sources ie eBay Screwfix ect ect apply the seal into the recess of the boot seal and reseat it all the way round applying even pressure, then where the two ends meet I added a bit more just to make a water tight seal, that was at least 4 years ago and I have never had another leak.
Hope this helps.... Borrowed Grey 2002 3d 204k for a year
Now own a 2007 Java black Vogue SE 3.6TDV8 160k

I like the idea. I’ll give it a go and see if it works. Nothing to lose really. 2006 Range Rover 4.4L Gas
2006 BMW 330i 6MT
2024 Mazda CX-5

Have you checked that the leak is not from the rear wash jet?

mine is similar vintage and it was the welds by the upper hinges.

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/post709591.html#709591

this may also be of use.

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic45266.html

jamiej wrote:

Have you checked that the leak is not from the rear wash jet?

1) Fit new tailgate aperture rubber. Ensure to fit it accurately - there is a variation in density where the lower tailgate closes. Make sure to get it right the first time. Using silicon on an old rubber doesn't work. They often leak along the top where they stop sealing, then the water runs down the inside... and ends up in the wheel well. New ones come full of putty. run your hands along the whole thing and find the side bits.
2) Silicon the Upper Tailgate Hinge Welds.
3) Do the showercap mod (and read this thread as it gives other insight into the issue as a whole - because the next thing that is going to happen is not just a wet boot but your Parking Assist Module will stop working) https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic58516...p;start=15
4) A few of us use PTFE Teflon tape on the Upper Tailgate bump stops, if you want to be really complete!

It's most likely the aperture rubber...


Good luck!

. 2012 L322 4.4 TDV8 AB low mileage - a peach
1986 V8 Defender 90 County ex-Swiss Army - Red everything....

My preferred Independent: Roy Hardy. R & B AUTOS LTD, 20 Brook Road, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 2BH 07500 866775‬ (Ex LR Chief Technician)