Dreaded Leaking Hatch from Hell

[Kevin0323]

My hatch is leaking like crazy. I am having problems with the back end underneith the spoiler. The trouble is, I can't find any holes or reason why it should be leaking! Anyone else have this problem. The leaks are directly beneith the spoiler on the inside corners. Any advice you guys recommend for an easy fix?

[Razorback1980]

Kevin, they may be leaking further up and running down to the corner. Put a garden hose outside and then look to see what's wet. I'm guessing you are going to find the window frame is pulled loose from the window glass where the struts attach to the window frame. This happens a lot in these cars. I started a thread on how to fix that earlier, so do a search for the topic. Hope that's not it and it's something simpler.

[GMingst]

Mine was leaking in the same area. New seal and all. I could actually sit in the car and see the water running "UP" and over the seal. magic water.... In reality I guess it was wicking it's way past the seal. I ended up tapping the metal that the hatch seal rides on out a little (it was a little pushed in compared to the other side) and it solved the problem.

[Dark Skies]

I had this problem - even after replacing the ratty seal with a new one. My leak was cured by cinching down the hatch a little tighter by screwing the locking pins in a little (equally) more.

[Zero10]

If the drains for the hatch pins are connected, try adjusting the pins to make the hatch seal a little bit tighter (maybe 1 turn in).

[Granite 944]

Originally posted by Kevin0323
My hatch is leaking like crazy. I am having problems with the back end underneith the spoiler. The trouble is, I can't find any holes or reason why it should be leaking! Anyone else have this problem. The leaks are directly beneith the spoiler on the inside corners. Any advice you guys recommend for an easy fix?

I have had and have the same problem with ALL my cars. The major problem with them, is the hatch to glass seal is no good. Happens over time, and is typical. Water backs up on the spoiler, and seeps thru the glass to hatch frame into the car. My suggestion. Make sure ya keep the spoiler drains (the small rectangular holes on top of both sides) clean and clear, so water can drain from spoiler to the bottom of it, down the back end of car. I use a peice of weedeater string to clear it (same as I use on sunroof drain hose lines). Do it frequently, especially if your in an area of debris falling on your car, (needles, leaves, crap in general). Last thing that worked well for me, was to take and seal the inside of the glass to frame on the inside of hatch with a black silicone sealant across the bottom of the hatch. Combined efforts above, seem to work well for me, at least, I hope, till I can get the hatch itself re-sealed to the frame. Still need to keep those spoiler drain holes clear.

Good luck.

[foyburgher]

Bite the bullet and do the hatch re-seal. I did it a few weeks ago and it's so dry back there now that my car could double as a Ronco food dehydrator. When I unscrewed (or drilled out screws) the spoiler and side trim, and cleaned out the years of nasty muck that had collected underneath, I saw that the glass-to-frame urethane seal in those rear corners had completely degraded and let water pour right into the car - OVER the rubber body seal. After cleaning out, priming, and re-sealing with 3M windo-weld the problem is solved for the rest of the car's life hopefully. (May it live to see many more timing belts) Plus it's a really nice and clean repair. You can't even tell we did anything to the hatch. I should add that the repair does have its PITA moments, and that it's NOT something that you can do in half an hour over a couple of beers.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/944_hatch_glass_repair/944_hatch_glass_repair2.htm
http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/body-17.htm
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=159567&highlight=hatch

[944 Ecology]

The real answer:

1) Make sure that you have full glass coverage for your 944.
2) Accidentally drop an anvil on the glass.

:-)

[Granite 944]

Originally posted by 944 Ecology
The real answer:

1) Make sure that you have full glass coverage for your 944.
2) Accidentally drop an anvil on the glass.

:-)

MAN!.........why didn't I think of that!