My compact spare kept rusting and I wondered why I was geting a musty smell in my '99 Accord EX sedan. Well after heavy rains I just found water in the spare tire well of my trunk. What is the likly source of this? Tail light seals? Rear window seal?

 

its going to be tough to narrow it down. this is what i would do. take everything out of your trunk, and make sure that you have dried everything up. This might sound weird, but i think it should find your problem. Spray your car with a hose where you suspect the leak to be coming from, get it good and wet and then dry off the top of your trunk lid so that that water doesnt drip in. then open the trunk and see if you have any new water. If nothing appears, then i would suspect the area where the spare tire sits. would i would do then, would be to get a pitcher of water and slowly pour it in that area. I know that sounds dumb, but then look under the car for dripping water. Once you find where it is coming from some silicone should do the trick.

 

Tail lights I could do this, but might pull the tail lights and see if the seals are the culprit. Anyone else has the tail light seals fail in a high mile 6th gen sedan? the trunk lid gasket is in good shape!

 

Just stoped by my Honda only independant mechanic. He said as recently as '97 and going into the '80's the taillight seals were the culprit. He said just use some RTV on the foam gaskets and should solve the problem.

 

Could be... There are only 3 common places for it to leak. The tail lights, the trunk lid or underneath. I do not think it is a HUGELY common issue, but it does come up from time to time in every car. Could be a fitment issue for that particular car.

Let us know how it turns out.