Volvo 480 Club Europe

I was going through my boot today and I lifted up the floor matt and the think was absolutely soaked underneath, I don't have a clue why as the boot isn't leaking, there no water above the matt so I'm clueless as to why it's so wet, don't suppose anyone else had had this problem?

Very common.
First thing I would say is take the boot Matt out; the underside is a giant sponge so it’s quick to soak up water and will release it slowly.

Usual water entry points to check.
1. Rear hatch wiring loom
2. Tailgate seal
3. Rear lamp seals
4. Rear reflector seals.

I also try to park “nose up” as water stands more chance of draining into the spare wheel well and draining away

jifflemon wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 11, 2023 9:45 pm

Very common.
First thing I would say is take the boot Matt out; the underside is a giant sponge so it’s quick to soak up water and will release it slowly.

Usual water entry points to check.
1. Rear hatch wiring loom
2. Tailgate seal
3. Rear lamp seals
4. Rear reflector seals.

I also try to park “nose up” as water stands more chance of draining into the spare wheel well and draining away

I'll give them all a check today! If the lamp or reflector seals are shot how easy it it to replace them? D:
& Unfortunately it's all flat ground where I live

Themasteryeti wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 12, 2023 9:42 am

jifflemon wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 11, 2023 9:45 pm

Very common.
First thing I would say is take the boot Matt out; the underside is a giant sponge so it’s quick to soak up water and will release it slowly.

Usual water entry points to check.
1. Rear hatch wiring loom
2. Tailgate seal
3. Rear lamp seals
4. Rear reflector seals.

I also try to park “nose up” as water stands more chance of draining into the spare wheel well and draining away

I'll give them all a check today! If the lamp or reflector seals are shot how easy it it to replace them? D:
& Unfortunately it's all flat ground where I live

ease of repalcement i stwo fold, one have the lights previously been 'sealed in' with silicone mastic, in which case leave alone as the lenses will break . .. .
the middle section is fairly easy to lift out (usually) but again it might be 'siliconed in' . . . .
teh sponge seals are available, just ask Jeff?
I gave up on the leak-tightness and resorted to a wide strip of black PVC tape along the top edge of lenses, cos mine had already been 'seen-to'
It does seem to run the water away from the edges and a fair bit better.

Themasteryeti wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 12, 2023 9:42 am

I'll give them all a check today! If the lamp or reflector seals are shot how easy it it to replace them? D:
& Unfortunately it's all flat ground where I live

If its the seals, I remanufacture them.

The best method of checking is removing the carpet and rear plastic trims, then sitting inside the boot whilst someone hosepipes the rear.

jifflemon wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 12, 2023 6:52 pm

Themasteryeti wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 12, 2023 9:42 am

I'll give them all a check today! If the lamp or reflector seals are shot how easy it it to replace them? D:
& Unfortunately it's all flat ground where I live

If its the seals, I remanufacture them.

The best method of checking is removing the carpet and rear plastic trims, then sitting inside the boot whilst someone hosepipes the rear.

One of them does look quite tarnished, is the central bit at the back (where the key goes to open the boot) is that supposed to have a seal bcoz there's nothing there?

& Currently have the floor matt out in the bath to try dry off, so I'll pull the trim off again this weekend and try your idea!

Themasteryeti wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 14, 2023 7:00 pm

One of them does look quite tarnished, is the central bit at the back (where the key goes to open the boot) is that supposed to have a seal bcoz there's nothing there?

I think that there should be two samll rubber pads, about playing card size glued to the reflector and then thes are pulled tight with the two samll screws, NB be careful not to over do as the 'captive screws' can get ripped out of the plastic backing

There's nothing to actually "seal" on the centre section. the Foam pads are just stop vibration damage

Well after pulling the inside trim off in the pissing rain im quite confident the leaks from the tail lights, unfortunately I spend all my spare money on engine bits for the beetle so the tops of the lights have been siliconed in for the time being, once it's dry I'll test to make sure they're water proof but hopefully that'll sort my leak out for now

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

jamescarruthers wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 19, 2023 3:38 pm

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

I know I know, horrendous but it was starting to run from the back down the whole car and soaking the rear passenger seat and floor, I had to do something
At least it's easy enough to remove silicone

Themasteryeti wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 19, 2023 6:53 pm

jamescarruthers wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 19, 2023 3:38 pm

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

I know I know, horrendous but it was starting to run from the back down the whole car and soaking the rear passenger seat and floor, I had to do something
At least it's easy enough to remove silicone

I used black insulating tape along the horizontal section after added black mastic (bitumastic, as easily removed with white spirit) at the top section, but mine had already been 'siliconed/sealed/masticed' on the whole of the area wher ethe lens meets the steel so didn't do any extra damage . . . .

Alan 480 wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 20, 2023 8:25 pm

Themasteryeti wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 19, 2023 6:53 pm

jamescarruthers wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 19, 2023 3:38 pm

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

I know I know, horrendous but it was starting to run from the back down the whole car and soaking the rear passenger seat and floor, I had to do something
At least it's easy enough to remove silicone

I used black insulating tape along the horizontal section after added black mastic (bitumastic, as easily removed with white spirit) at the top section, but mine had already been 'siliconed/sealed/masticed' on the whole of the area wher ethe lens meets the steel so didn't do any extra damage . . . .

I've siliconed the tops of mine but it looks like waters still getting through so I think I might be pulling the whole thing out and going around the entire thing this weekend

jifflemon wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 21, 2023 1:13 pm

timely reminder

Oh that's actually really cheap! :O
I was expecting it to cost an arm and a leg
Don't suppose you have anymore available?

Themasteryeti wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 21, 2023 1:21 pm

Oh that's actually really cheap! :O
I was expecting it to cost an arm and a leg
Don't suppose you have anymore available?

I know it is, which is why I get baffled by people sealing lamps in! Plenty still left in stock, drop me a PM.

I think there is also a rubber seal underneath the spare tyre bay that is used to drain excessive water. This may be letting water in if it has become dislodged of fallen out.