Potential water leak in trunk

15602 Views 24 Replies 7 Participants Last post by jblackburn, Sep 8, 2020

mumbogray

Discussion Starter · Jun 14, 2019

Hey guys,

I found mold in the trunk liner of my Cruze in the last week. It's a gen2 2017 premier RS.

Is this definitely a water leak? I think there was a TSB for water leaking through the break light housing for the 2016s. Others in the following thread mentioned the RS spoiler is drilled into the trunk, and this could be the point of a bad seal. I thought it was glued? https://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/369...4434-lemon-cruze-gen-2-water-leaks-trunk.html. I haven't actually seen water in the trunk, just the mold.

I had a service appointment today, but they left a message to call and reschedule. Any recommendations for dealing with the mold? If I can fix the liner to look like 80% as good as it used to, I would be happy enough to not replace it. I haven't taken the liner off yet to look under. I didn't want to mess with it before the dealer took a look, if it is leaking water.

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Blasirl

· #2 · Jun 14, 2019

Condition

On certain 2016-2017 model year Chevrolet Cruze vehicles, the center high mount stop lamp (CHMSL) fasteners may back off over time and cause a water leak, allowing water to flow into the rear compartment battery tub. When the battery tub fills with water to a height of 50mm or more, the DC/DC converter module board and connector are exposed to water which may cause corrosion. If water drains below the DC/DC converter, a resistive short may occur on the printed circuit board which could result in an unattended fire when the DC/DC converter is powered.

Correction

Dealers are to inspect for water damage in the battery tub electrical components, and replace the CHSML gaskets and nuts (adding Loctite to the nut).

Iamantman

· #3 · Jun 14, 2019

Oh **** that's kind of bad. If you're under warranty I would think that trunk panel needs to be repaired and then replaced. If they won't though and you want to try to clean it I'd try some vinegar and a soft toothbrush. Wear a mask though cuz you don't wanna breath that stuff in.

mumbogray

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 15, 2019

Blasirl said:
Condition On certain 2016-2017 model year Chevrolet Cruze vehicles, the center high mount stop lamp (CHMSL) fasteners may back off over time and cause a water leak, allowing water to flow into the rear compartment battery tub. When the battery tub fills with water to a height of 50mm or more, the DC/DC converter module board and connector are exposed to water which may cause corrosion. If water drains below the DC/DC converter, a resistive short may occur on the printed circuit board which could result in an unattended fire when the DC/DC converter is powered.
Correction Dealers are to inspect for water damage in the battery tub electrical components, and replace the CHSML gaskets and nuts (adding Loctite to the nut).

Thank you. I wasn't expecting that the mold on the trunk hood liner would be caused by water in the battery compartment... but I took a look after work, and there is indeed a pool of water! I noticed it in the wheel well. My battery seemed dry; I couldn't find any water in that well. I have a weathertek trunk liner, so maybe that diverted it.

It is a red flag that you mention the CHMSL. I had a crack in mine, posted pics in a different thread. It was replaced only a few weeks ago. The dealer charged me for the repair out of warranty. I contacted Chevy Care and tried to get it replaced under warranty for Bulletin No. 16-NA-308. At the time I told them I was worried about water leaking, but I did not ask them to check the trunk, and I don't know if they did. I can't say for sure if the water started accumulating before or after the service, as I only recently noticed because of the mold.

Should I contact the same dealer that replaced the CHMSL and ask them to fix this? I was hoping to visit a different dealer, but I don't want to have to pay for this again.

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Blasirl

· #5 · Jun 16, 2019

When was the last time you opened your trunk prior to finding the mold? I would at least go to the dealer to document it.

mumbogray

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 16, 2019

I found the mold on Wed 6/12. I last used the trunk 4 days earlier on 6/8, and everything looked normal then. The brake light assembly was replaced on 4/22. I bought the car Jan 11th.

At the time the brake light assembly was replaced, I don't know if the proper steps to seal the piece were taken. I mentioned the TSB, but they stated my car didn't fall into that program.

When I visit the dealer this time, how should I go about asking them to perform the repair under the TSB? I saw the full details on gm.oemdtc.com, but the TSB is now removed due to a cease and desist. Any advice on where I should sign up to get a full list of TSB's for the Cruze?

jblackburn

· #7 · Jun 16, 2019

The brake light is the most common; it should be a RECALL listed for the car. As is the battery tub drain. This usually ends up with water in the battery compartment; if you see it elsewhere in the trunk, it's probably not the brake light.

Some Gen 2's have also had water leaks at spoiler bolts, and some around the right taillight. The dealer should have a body guy in-house or someone they contract out to check the car for leaks.

mumbogray

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jul 7, 2019

Just to follow up as I finally got the full repair documents:

The tech stated the seal for both the left and right tail lamps was worn. They replaced the backup lamp assembly on both sides, Parts 84075816 and 84075815. They also replaced my liner 84114303 and gave me new clips 1605396.

Prior to replacing the CHMSL in April, and prior to my ownership of the car, the tech said the water leak recall was performed (any way to see if they installed the drain? for peace of mind). This is in line with above recommendations, as there was no water in the battery tub; only the wheel well. The recent CHMSL repair seems to be truly coincidence after all.

Robert75

· #9 · Dec 22, 2019

I have a 2018 premier RS sedan, I had water coming down in that same spot and pooling in the spare tire well. It seems that dealerships are hit and miss with repairing these leaks, so I fixed it myself. Mine was leaking at the far left and right of the spoiler. There is a plastic pin on the spoiler that snaps down into the trunk lid on both sides. That is where mine was leaking. I removed the spoiler put sealant around those pins and all the studs, remounted the spoiler, and the leak is gone. I would keep a eye out for more water in your trunk, I had to remove the light housings out of the trunk lid to access the spoiler studs and nuts. I don't see how those light housing gaskets would just start leaking. Good luck!

Reactions: 1

Blasirl

· #10 · Dec 22, 2019

Robert75 said:
I have a 2018 premier RS sedan, I had water coming down in that same spot and pooling in the spare tire well. It seems that dealerships are hit and miss with repairing these leaks, so I fixed it myself. Mine was leaking at the far left and right of the spoiler. There is a plastic pin on the spoiler that snaps down into the trunk lid on both sides. That is where mine was leaking. I removed the spoiler put sealant around those pins and all the studs, remounted the spoiler, and the leak is gone. I would keep a eye out for more water in your trunk, I had to remove the light housings out of the trunk lid to access the spoiler studs and nuts. I don't see how those light housing gaskets would just start leaking. Good luck!

Welcome Aboard!

Any chance you took pictures while you did your repair? If so, consider writing up a How-To on fixing them.
How-To: Write a Tutorial

Don't forget to introduce yourself and your Cruze here.

Robert75

· #11 · Dec 22, 2019

Sorry, I didn't think about taking any pictures. I was trying to beat a two day rainstorm, and hadn't joined this forum yet. Anything of importance that I do in the future will be documented and shared here. We need to work together as a team and help each other out.

Stvnhi

· #12 · Aug 26, 2020

Mold on the top trunk liner is coming from the seal that the trunk closes on.
I've had this same issue before.
As you can see in the pictures it was a rainy day when I noticed it.

Took a couple more today of it cleaned up and also where the water was pooling (between the plastic and the rubber seal)

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jblackburn

· #13 · Aug 26, 2020

Stvnhi said:
Mold on the top trunk liner is coming from the seal that the trunk closes on.
I've had this same issue before.
As you can see in the pictures it was a rainy day when I noticed it.

Took a couple more today of it cleaned up and also where the water was pooling (between the plastic and the rubber seal)

View attachment 288517 View attachment 288518 View attachment 288519 View attachment 288520

If this is a RS trim with a spoiler on the trunk lid, that's also exactly where the tabs on the end of the spoiler leak down onto the taillights.

www.cruzetalk.com

How-To: Fix Trunk Spoiler leaks on Gen 2 sedan

If you have a Gen 2 sedan and have a water leak in the trunk after rain, it's likely one of two things: 1. The third brake light - there's a recall for 2016/17's to replace the gasket. Sometimes after the gasket is replaced, the third brake light assembly itself will crack. This water usually...

www.cruzetalk.com

www.cruzetalk.com

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Stvnhi

· #14 · Aug 26, 2020

Oh man I missed one of the posts explaining this, My fault.
Yes this is the 2017 RS package.
Thank You mentioning that.
Is there an easy way of getting to the underside to check that?
Is it just pop the tabs on the trunk liner?

jblackburn

· #15 · Aug 26, 2020

Stvnhi said:
Oh man I missed one of the posts explaining this, My fault.
Yes this is the 2017 RS package.
Thank You mentioning that.
Is there an easy way of getting to the underside to check that?
Is it just pop the tabs on the trunk liner?

To see where it was coming from, I took the trunk liner off, wet down the trunk lid, and stuck a camera phone through one of the trusses in the inner trunk lid.

I saw it dripping off the taillight, so thought it was the taillight seal leaking, but once the camera phone was in there, it was clear as day that it was actually coming from that rivet, then running down the taillight.

Stvnhi

· #16 · Aug 26, 2020

Nice. Thank you I’ll look into this myself. Much appreciated for the correction btw lol

Reactions: 1

jblackburn

· #17 · Aug 26, 2020

Stvnhi said:
Nice. Thank you I’ll look into this myself. Much appreciated for the correction btw lol

Good luck! Mine unfortunately happened out of warranty, so it took me a couple weeks to figure out where the heck it was leaking from. It was an easy DIY fix, though.

paul26

· #18 · Sep 6, 2020

jblackburn said:
If this is a RS trim with a spoiler on the trunk lid, that's also exactly where the tabs on the end of the spoiler leak down onto the taillights.

How-To: Fix Trunk Spoiler leaks on Gen 2 sedan

If you have a Gen 2 sedan and have a water leak in the trunk after rain, it's likely one of two things: 1. The third brake light - there's a recall for 2016/17's to replace the gasket. Sometimes after the gasket is replaced, the third brake light assembly itself will crack. This water usually...

www.cruzetalk.com

Is this how it looks like when you removed the spoiler? I have a 2017 LT with RS package and I have the same water leak issue. I have been to dealers more than 3 times and they replaced right taillight but it still leaks

jblackburn

· #19 · Sep 6, 2020

paul26 said:
Is this how it looks like when you removed the spoiler? I have a 2017 LT with RS package and I have the same water leak issue. I have been to dealers more than 3 times and they replaced right taillight but it still leaks

Yep those tabs are right above each taillight. They will drip down directly on the taillight housing and make it appear the seal is leaking.

paul26

· #20 · Sep 6, 2020

jblackburn said:
Yep those tabs are right above each taillight. They will drip down directly on the taillight housing and make it appear the seal is leaking.

Thanks a lot! I tried to seal the spoiler around the outside, as I didn't want to go over the troubles of removing light housing. I'm not sure if that'll work lol

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