R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 Rear Window Leak

Old Jul 30, 2016 | 08:12 PM
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kennyingle
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Rear Window Leak

Hello, I have a 2005 MINI S with 80K miles on it. I am the second owner. The rear window is leaking from the top during heavy rains (or when I pour water on it from a bucket). The window seems to be the original as it has the MINI logo on it (most replacement glass does not). I pulled the rain/water track off and also pulled the interior trim molding off (the top piece) to investigate where the water was coming from. It seems to be coming in from the right side (looking at it from the outside of the car). It drips from two spots. I believe the water then makes its way down by following the inside of the rear pillar's side molding. It eventually is soaking the carpet and getting the battery compartment wet. Any thoughts on this? Any quick fix suggestions? I am thinking I may need to call a glass company to place a better seal on the glass.
 
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Old Jul 30, 2016 | 10:52 PM
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Hi,
I have several of these Minis and leaking in the trunk usually stems from adjustment of the rear hatch. They can get bent when opening them on a windy day, or by a person opening the hatch to quickly, or by propping it open with a stick or whatever.
I have one that a person propped open with a broom handle and bent the upper hinges. I was able to bend them back and fix the leak.
 
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Old Jul 31, 2016 | 11:31 AM
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Do you have a sun roof? If so, I would make sure that wasn't the source of the leak. The drain tubes often slip off and leak in the car. There's a tube at each corner and the fix is usually just reattaching it and using a zip tie or hose clamp to secure it.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2016 | 12:41 PM
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Hello ItsmeWayne, Thanks for the reply. I checked the hinges and all look good.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2016 | 12:44 PM
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Hello RB-MINI, I do have a sun roof but I actually poured water on a specific area of the roof (near the hatch door) and saw when the leaking would occur. When I poured this water I never got near the sun roof proving that it isn't a factor.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2016 | 04:54 PM
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...just didn't want you to spend money on a new window and still have a problem.

Also, you might want to go ahead and make sure all 4 drain tubes are still attached and clamp them in place anyway. The drain tubes falling off and causing water damage is a known problem with these cars, especially on the passenger side up by the windshield. When that tube goes, the water drains right down to the body control module which controls most of the cars electronics. The BCM usually shorts out, or corrodes, and leads to an expensive repair.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2016 | 06:09 PM
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Thanks so very much for all your help. Yes, I will absolutely check those tubes.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2016 | 10:22 PM
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My old mini did this. It was water coming in around the 3 rd brake light. Filled my battery compartment full of water. I learned a drain hole does wonders saving expensive components around the battery.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2016 | 10:44 PM
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ItsmeWayne
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Originally Posted by kennyingle
Hello ItsmeWayne, Thanks for the reply. I checked the hinges and all look good.
Hi Kenny,
There are also two rubber adjusters on the hatch, about halfway down. They can be screwed in or out and are often used to adjust the closing of the hatch, wind noise stopping and rear hatch leaking.
As other have said, the sun roof has two drains that can come off or get clogged. If you try to blow them out, don't use too high of a pressure air, or you can pop off the hoses from the connection.
 
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