Subject: | Waterleaks into Spare Tire Well (Install Liftgate Inner Panel Drain Hole Plug, and Trim Porting of the Outer Lip from the Weatherstrip and/or Apply Sealer to the Spaceframe Lap Joint. |
Models: | 1993 Saturn Station Wagons built before and including VIN PZ23933 |
Some 1993 station wagons may leak water around the rear liftgate area causing water to accumulate in the spare tire well.
Water leaks may be caused by one of the following causes:
• | Water directed at the bottom center of the rear liftgate, latch, area forces water into the enter drain hole, up and over the water barrier, down the latch and into the spare tire well. |
• | The outer lip of the rear liftgate weatherstrip funnels water into the seam of the weatherstrip flange at the bottom of the rear liftgate opening. |
• | The sealer skips at the rear liftgate opening spaceframe lap joints. |
Install the liftgate inner panel drain hole plug into the center location and remove the liftgate inner panel drain hole plug from the left side of the rear liftgate, then water test the vehicle. If a water is still present, follow the procedures in this bulletin to:
• | Trim a portion of the outer lip from the weatherstrip and apply weatherstrip adhesive to the weatherstrip, and/or; |
• | Apply seam sealer to the spaceframe lap joints. |
Important: Using a pointed tool such as an awl to pierce the center of the liftgate inner panel drain hole plug for removal reduces the possibility of paint damage.
6.1. | If water is present, go to step 7. |
6.2. | If no water is present from the waterflow location, refer to Waterleaks in the General Information section of the Body/Collision Repair Service Manual. |
Important: It is essential that the weatherstrip is fully seated along the entire upstanding metal flange.
13.1. | If a leak is present go to Step 14. |
13.2. | If a leak is not present, install the spare tire, the repair is complete. |
14.1. | If a leak is present, go to Steps 17 and 18. |
14.2. | If a leak is not present, go to Step 15. |
15.1. | If a leak is present, go to Steps 17 and 18. |
15.2. | If a leak is not present, go to Step 16. |
16.1. | If a leak is present, go to Steps 17 and 18. |
16.2. | If a leak is not present at any of the lap joints, install the spare tire and refer to Waterleaks in the General Information section of the Body/Collision Repair Service Manual. |
NOTE: The area most likely to leak in lap joint 1 is shown in the highlighted circle in the illustration on the facing page. If sealer is missing behind the tail lamp assembly, it will be necessary to partially remove the tail lamp assembly to properly gain access when applying sealer to lap joint 1.
Claim Information | To receive credit for this repair, submit a claim through the Saturn Dealer System as follows: | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
-- | Case Type | Description | Labor Operation Code | Time |
-- | VW | Trim Portion of Outer Lip from Seal, Install Drain Plug and Watertest | T9645 | 1.0 hrs |
Add if required: | ||||
-- | A. | To Seal and Watertest Lap Joints | 0.30 hrs |