I can answer my own question: pull harder (no broken clips!) and remove the seat back. I can't get the whole panel off but enough to see where the water is running down, but not where it's getting in. I've just noticed that one of the plastic rails in the roof is loose so am starting to suspect that - how are they held?

 

Instructions unclear..

 

Hi did you ever find out where the water was getting in.I have exactly same problem

 

we also have the same problem, and believe the water is coming in under the bumper (we discovered this by removing the tail light gasket and finding a loose part) - see pic

have you had any luck removing the interior boot panels? Before we attempt to remove the whole bumper!

 

Looks like quite a job to remove side trim as it goes right down into rear door well. Is the picture showing from below the rear light cluster this looks as if it is a drain hole We are going to take light off next week and put silicone in any grommets or holes to see if that makes a difference. Also saw someone said it was the vertical join running down from the plastic roof trim which they revealed with silicone

 

Yes, we removed the light cluster to reveal what we think is a slightly loose vent or blanking plug. We poured water over the loose part and watched it drain into the boot. We definitely think this is where the problem is for us, as all water going under the tail light cluster has to drain past that hole but water wouldn’t normally flow through the hole as the plug should be fixed firm (the same plug on the other side is fixed).

As it is difficult to reach, we have improvised a ‘fix’ by sticking the top of the loose part with gaffer tape to see if this prevents water running inside the boot through this hole (at least until the weather warms up to fix it properly!)

Good luck next week!

 

Is this picture for Hyundai i20 as I didn't think there was a gasket

 

Apologies, I didn’t mean to call it that! It is a Hyundai i20

 

Ok thanks will look out for that and let you know how we get on

 

Thanks for info will try silicon around the wire. Was the side panel easy to get off and is the bung behind it

 

It took a bit of force to get off and the seal around the boot had to be pulled back first, we haven’t tried to put it all back, going to try and sort it first!!

 

Is the side panel held in with clips and just pulls off once the screws have been taken out

 

We have sealed round the wire to the light and also the four plastic inserts for screws and pins which were showing signs of water getting underneath them, will let you after we have had rain if it worked

 

That sounds like our plan! We’re still waiting for the silicone to arrive! 🤞it’s sorted it!

 

I lifted the roof strip and there is nowhere that water could get in, there are metal upstands welded to body which plastic clips on strip clip onto. only other suggestion someone made is vertical seam running down from strip where the sealant might have dried out,

 

Thanks for info. I lifted some of the roof strip but the only joint I can see is running vertically down from the roof strip. I sealed it with clear silicone but it came off after a while maybe I should have made sure it was dry. Can i ask what sealant you used. My i20 is 63 reg

Hi there
I explored every area with a hose pipe and it only leaked into boot wen I run water on the roof. No you can’t see any gaps but the mastic seal that Hyundai applied to the weld joint between tools and body, under the plastic strip, was a lot narrower than the other side.
So I removed plastic strip ensuring I did not move the plastic clips that align with the metal brackets, thoroughly dried the channel with cloth and hair dryer.
Then applied a wide bead of sealant to the seam, smoothing it out to cover both edges of the original mastic seal. I also did the same with the vertical joint as it leaves the channel onto boot strut.
I, like you had previously sealed the roof joint, I used clear sealant used for brick, masonry, plastic windows and glass. However it was a month back so weather was always damp. It didn’t seal it and when I come to redo the seal you could remove the silicone seal in one long strand.
This time I used a sealant/adhesive by Granville from Halfords specifically for vehickes, it was £5 for a small tube. (See photo). I took a lot more care in preparing the channel by thouroughly drying it and cleaning any possible grease with white spirit. I also checked the weather to ensure no rain was expected for at least 4-5 hours.

My wife’s car is 63 plate too. I think the sun etc has affected the Hyundai mastic which is now rock hard and caused it ti pull away from metal so seal is broken but you cant see it is.

hope this helps as it was driving me mad not able to solve it. Few photos attached

 

Hi guys, I found your posts most helpful in trying to track down a leak on my wife’s Hyundai i20 which was pooling water in the offside boot floor.
Unfortunately after removing the rear light and seats and sealing joints etc no success.
I finally resolve it as I sealed the joint between the roof and body under the plastic roof strip as it must have deteriorated with time. You can’t see any visible leaks but the water runs along the seal and leaks into the boot. I also sealed the joint from the roof seam as it continues down the top boot strut.
I put sealant adhesive along both sides of the joint smoothing off with a wet finger and let it dry fully by taking the car for a ride to help it dry.
I replaced th3 rubber strip the following day after testing the joint with watering can.
Hope this helps

 

Thanks for info. I lifted some of the roof strip but the only joint I can see is running vertically down from the roof strip. I sealed it with clear silicone but it came off after a while maybe I should have made sure it was dry. Can i ask what sealant you used. My i20 is 63 reg

 

Hi both, looks like this what we need to try next!! Thank you for the update and the pictures. We may well be in touch if we get stuck!

 

Thanks for pictures I will completely remove the strip and seal all the way along roof joint. It has been driving me mad too, I was at point of selling it even though it has only done 27000 miles

 

Ok I hope it works. Odd our i20 has only done 28000. Don’t give up though. Don’t hesitate to contact me if your require any more information

 

Ok I hope it works. Odd our i20 has only done 28000. Don’t give up though. Don’t hesitate to contact me if your require any more information

 

Really useful information, thanks very much. How easy is it to remove the roof strips and fix them back into place once the sealant is dry?

 

Lever the rear end of the plastic strip with a hard plastic implement so as not to damage paintwork. Once you have it lifted pull gently upward up to first clip, I then moved along lifted it section by section to the next clip. I was on small steps which helped. I made the mistake of moving the clips which slide along the strip which made refitting it difficult so try to ensure the clips are perfectly aligned to brackets before refitting.
by the way I sealed around these brackets as well.
Dont hesitate to ask for more info of me if you are unsure

 

The strip fits back easily in reverse to taking it off starting at the front putting the clips back in turn to the rear. Ensure the clips are perfectly aligned centre to centre with brackets before starting to fit back. I again did this from a small step

 

Step ladder it should say

 

Did one tube do the full length of the roof strip and down the side. Did you do the nearside as well. Have you had any rain yet to see if it has worked. Many thanks for very helpful pictures

 

I used about 3/4 of a tube on all the offside as that was the one leaking. It’s rained several times now but thankfully still dry in boot. Did not do the near side. Good luck, just make sure your sealant bead is wide enough when smoothed out to cover both sides of existing mastic plus around brackets

 

Sorry to bother you, is your i20 still free of leaks. I haven't had much success with mine yet, think it may need the bumper taking off and sealing around an air vent someone mentioned elsewhere

 

Hiya
Yes, thankfully no water is entering the boot. I sealed the roof line seam and the seam at the junction of roof and rear boot frame as outlined before along with the horizontal panel join halfway down the rear offside channel. Did not need to look touch the bumper. Good luck

 

Hiya Chester14
I finally sealed the vertical seam from the roof trim under the tailgate and following two weeks of heavy showers everything is dry, the seal under the roof trim seemed intact so did not bother with sealing it.
Thanks so much for your advise.
Trevor