Boot Seal

[jimmyspeed]

Am trying to stop the water from getting into my boot and filling up the spare wheel. I have been removing and cleaning the rear lights and boot seal and am re fitting the lights tomorrow when i can see what I'm doing.

I have brought the new gaskets for the lights as the secondary outer gasket had perished and i thought this was where the water was seeping in.

However after removing the lights fully i think the main boot seal could be the problem, i will buy a new one if the general cleanse doesn't fix the leak and condensation in the car.

But what i want to know is what is the white sealant up inside the boot seal. I first thought its was just general grime from 20 years of use. But its right up in there and also stuck to the metal boot lips rim. I know e30 ones don't have any but have seen a few posts mention the stuff.

Anyone know what it is or an alternative for refitting ?

cheers

[Brianmoooore]

Many boot seals have been replaced, when the real culprit was rust holes hidden by the seal.
Check the seal by trapping 2" strips of newspaper between the closed lid and the seal, and see how well these strips resist being pulled out. The lid can be tightened up at the front by a degree of adjustment where the hinges bolt to the lid, and the catch at the rear is fully adjustable.
AFAIK, the white substance is trim contact adhesive.

P.S. Just noticed this is E36 chat, not E30, but the principles are the same.

[jimmyspeed]

Thanks Brian - Will try the newspaper trick, the rust is pretty minimal so hopefully just needs tightening down