Water in cat boot--rubber seal needs to be refitted

[Nimrod]

The rubber boot seal on my MX5 is leaking. The seal seems fine. Water appears to be coming in at a point between the seal and bodywork.

I have a couple of general questions.

Are rubber seals in cars fitted 'raw' to the metal channels or are they fitted on top of a sealant. And if so what sealant is used?

Your help and direction much apreciated.

B:o)

[b. miles]

hi,
The seals on your car will have been fitted at the factory raw. I work in a car factory and I have not heard of any sealer being used on any makes of cars "flanges" around doors or tailgates, your problem could be corrosion of the "flange" underneath the seal or a poorly fitting seal try taking off the seal and closing up the "u" section that grips the seal onto the "flange". Are you sure the water is leaking in via the tailgate seals? I ask this because the seal around the rear lights is a favourite place for water to get in if the seal has perished. There is a mastic that you can purchase that will sealjoints I have personally used this some years ago on a car I built but cannot remember the name.

Hope this helps!