[98se420]

Ive finally had it with this hatch leak and im planning on attacking the problem later today.
Right and left corners of carpet are always very damp when it rains and also by the spare tire it seems like water gets down around there someway.

I was thinking on fully removing the rear carpet along with the the part that covers the spare tire and go from there to try to find the leaks..
Is it difficult to remove the carpet? Seems like the spare tire part would be a hassle, looks like id have to maybe remove rear seats for that one??

 

[Jeremy R.]

The carpet comes out pretty easily. Flip down the back seats and you'll see the fasteners that hold down the carpet. The carpet on the sides isn't much harder to get out. The only tricky thing about getting those two pieces out is that they're stiff and pretty big.

 

[98se420]

Awesome! Thank u sir might start on it today, will keep updating..
Am going to try to snap some pics along the process, i jus have no idea how to post them on a thread?

The carpet comes out pretty easily. Flip down the back seats and you'll see the fasteners that hold down the carpet. The carpet on the sides isn't much harder to get out. The only tricky thing about getting those two pieces out is that they're stiff and pretty big.

 

[earthworm]

Awesome! Thank u sir might start on it today, will keep updating..
Am going to try to snap some pics along the process, i just have no idea how to post them on a thread?

Don't feel bad, I don't either.
Some/most of the connections, fasteners and brackets can be tricky - and worthy of hundreds of perfectly written words.
PMI was very good at this, as is Jeremy.:cheesy:
If I was doing this, and I should be(mine leaks as well), I'd first seal the tail-lights.
With the carpets out, the stains can be more easily addressed.

 

[98se420]

Ive heard most use photobucket to post pics?? And im not the best at writting diys and explaining procedures but ill see what i can do.. And i have resealed my taillights already but leak is still there.

Don't feel bad, I don't either.
Some/most of the connections, fasteners and brackets can be tricky - and worthy of hundreds of perfectly written words.
PMI was very good at this, as is Jeremy.:cheesy:
If I was doing this, and I should be(mine leaks as well), I'd first seal the tail-lights.
With the carpets out, the stains can be more easily addressed.

 

[Harquebus]

If you've got that musty smell indicating mold/mildew, you may be able to salvage your carpet by spraying Tilex mildew spray on your carpet instead of trashing it. Works for me, no discoloration of the gray trunk lining, padding or any of the sort. Seems to have a cumulative effect; I once saturated it with the spray and the mustiness hasn't come back as it has been very rainy around here lately.

 

[98se420]

I was planning on cleaning\drying carpet then spraying it with some kind of descentzitizer beacuse it does have that musty smell to it,so illd definitely try ur suggestion and see how it works.

If you've got that musty smell indicating mold/mildew, you may be able to salvage your carpet by spraying Tilex mildew spray on your carpet instead of trashing it. Works for me, no discoloration of the gray trunk lining, padding or any of the sort. Seems to have a cumulative effect; I once saturated it with the spray and the mustiness hasn't come back as it has been very rainy around here lately.

 

[98se420]

I got all the carpeting out fairly easy, vaccuumed and cleaned it all up real nice..

Found the antenna drain hose was disconnected(probably the cause for drivers side leak)
Then on the onther side the drain hose was not loose but noticed an abnormal amount of water right below the speaker on the oval shape frame piece which leads me to believe that its something to do with the fuel filler area?????

How would i go about checkin
that leak? Can i jus pop off that circular gasket??
I dont wana mess anythin up lol

 

[98se420]

Anyone know how to get access to the fuel filler seal\gasket?

 

[watkins]

Im also in the middle of this project. So far Ive replace the tail light gaskets and RTVed the moonroof drain hose plugs back into the floor and the hoses into the plugs. Ive noticed the antenna plug is leaking, so thats a fix for tomorrow. I also have a mysterious puddle on the passenger side thats dripping from behind the C pillar panel. Im not sure if its residual water that I managed to spill in there when I opened the hatch in the garage to start the project, or if its an actual leak somewhere.

 

[98se420]

I think someone should def make a sticky regarding the hatch leaks\solutions

 

[lowbudgethero]

it not really necessary to take out the fuel filler cap gasket so much as just getting enough silicone caulk around it so it wont leak anymore thats what I did and it stopped the leak immediately... also caulked around the strut tower bushings to prevent rust

 

[Harquebus]

There's a bazillion posts on the subject with varying causes but only a few members in my estimation have actually cured the problem completely.

I can only hope to be victorious in my own leak sitch and I will share the information and post pics as well (they speak much better than words).

RobEdgar most recently tried to tackle the issue but he is finding the limitations of his patience I think.

 

[Harquebus]

The fuel filler gasket is accessed through the filler door (duh) but the gas cap has to be removed and then underneath that is a large black plastic ring than can be pried off with a flat blade screwdriver. I think it has snap fastener tabs that are located at 12, 4 and 8 o'clock like on a clock face. Under that is a rubber gasket that has a mounting peg that fits in a hole at 6 o'clock, IIRC. This area should be sealed with a bead of silicone sealant. I used black automotive type but you could use clear or white, whatever you have on hand.

I also sealed around the plastic insert that houses the filler door hinge. There's a foam rubber gasket there that fails miserably with age.

 

[98se420]

I know where its located just wanted to know the best way to remove it without damaging something but thanks.Im hoping after this my leaks should be gone.

The fuel filler gasket is accessed through the filler door (duh) but the gas cap has to be removed and then underneath that is a large black plastic ring than can be pried off with a flat blade screwdriver. I think it has snap fastener tabs that are located at 12, 4 and 8 o'clock like on a clock face. Under that is a rubber gasket that has a mounting peg that fits in a hole at 6 o'clock, IIRC. This area should be sealed with a bead of silicone sealant. I used black automotive type but you could use clear or white, whatever you have on hand.

I also sealed around the plastic insert that houses the filler door hinge. There's a foam rubber gasket there that fails miserably with age.

 

[lowbudgethero]

http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158472&highlight=filler+hatch+leak

another possibility

I didnt end up needing to remove it, i just sealed everything around it

 

[98se420]

Thats actually exactly where my leak is at on the right side its rite on the wheel arch so i will check that out today thanks

http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158472&highlight=filler+hatch+leak

another possibility

I didnt end up needing to remove it, i just sealed everything around it

 

[98se420]

Well i took off the fuel filler neck and the gasket looked fine but i resealed around it anyway just to be safw as well as around the hinge.... Ill see if the leak goes away when it dries..

Where else ccould the leak be coming from by the passenger side wheel arch?

 

[RobEdgar]

The fuel filler neck cant cause the leak. If you take off the wheel and look up you'll see what i mean , it doesn't go internal. However the plastic insert for the filler cap hinge does , and if that seal is broken lots of water will get in. It's a big hole. I have fixed the my problem now , it isn't easy to get a good seal around the insert though , it took me two attempts.

 

[98se420]

I sealed it up pretty good so will see if the leak stops sometime tomorrow.
Did u ever find the cause for your leak?

The fuel filler neck cant cause the leak. If you take off the wheel and look up you'll see what i mean , it doesn't go internal. However the plastic insert for the filler cap hinge does , and if that seal is broken lots of water will get in. It's a big hole. I have fixed the my problem now , it isn't easy to get a good seal around the insert though , it took me two attempts.