Ok so i have a swimming pool in my hatch much like other posters in the forum. However mine appears to be coming from the sides of the hatch near the bottom/end of the hatch, when it rains and I and pull out of somewhere I have witnessed water coming in along the sides where the plastic molding that covers the spare is.

Do i need to replace the stripping for the hatch completely?

Thanks for your help guys.

 

A very common place for water to enter the hatch is where the rear hatch metal plate and the glass meet. The seal goes out there more often and need to be replaced. You can run a bead of silicone for the time being but get that seal done asap. It is hard for water to enter otherwise because the glass in on a slope.

 

So i need to replace the whole seal around the hatch correct? Ill look for where it connects at the metal plate, not sure exactly where you mean without looking at it.

 

No, the hatch seal is usually fine because of the slope of the rear window. I am taking about where the metal part of the rear hatch meets the bottom of the hatch glass. There isn't a seal there but that is where water gets in and you need to remove the metal and run a big bead of sealant there. I had the same problem until I realized it was coming in where I mentioned. I ran a small bead of silicone to prevent it until I could fix it properly. The metal piece I am talking about is where the rear spoiler attaches. If you really want to know where it is leaking jump in the back while someone else is driving and go into a drive in car wash are look for leaks.

 

as iron duke said that's where mine started leaking in my 88. there's a tar like substance the seals the decklid to the window. Since I'm rebuilding the car I had a glass shop do the seal for me. But I'm sure you could seal it with silicone as mentioned above.