Interior - Water Leak At Rear Fender Well

91mitsubishi11

NO.: TSB-91-42B-006

DATE: October, 1991

MODEL: 1991 Eclipse


SUBJECT:

WATER LEAK AT REAR FENDER WELL


PURPOSE

This Technical Service Bulletin describes how to diagnose and correct a water leak which may be present on 1991 Eclipses produced before April 15, 1991.

DESCRIPTION

Figure 1:

Some Eclipse customers may complain of a dampness in the luggage compartment and/or rear carpet areas of their vehicle. This condition may be caused by a void in the body sealer near the left or right wheel well (Figure 1).

Figure 2:

When present, this body sealer void may allow water to enter the vehicle at the strut tower, where it can run into the rear seat pan or luggage compartment area (Figure 2).


If this condition occurs, it is necessary to locate the body sealer void and repair it using silicone sealer.

The remainder of this bulletin describes how to locate and correct the water leak.

CORRECTIVE PROCEDURE

1. Remove the rear seat. (Refer to the 1991 Eclipse Service Manual, Volume 1, Page 52-31.)

2. Remove the left and right luggage area side panels. (Refer to the 1991 Eclipse Service Manual, Volume 1, Page 52-23).

3. Remove the carpet and cargo floor board from the luggage compartment.

Figure 3:

4. Inspect all body seams on both left and right inner wheel wells for areas with missing body sealer. For easy identification during Step # 5, mark the missing sealer locations with a black marking pen (Figure 3).

Figure 4:

5. Outside the vehicle, spray water into the rear exterior wheel wells and observe the interior areas where sealer is missing. If water is leaking into the vehicle through these areas, it will be necessary to caulk them using silicone sealer (Figure 4).


6. Dry the areas of missing body sealer and caulk them using silicone sealer. Any high quality silicone sealer appropriate for this application may be used.

7. After the silicone sealer has begun to set (about one hour), spray water into both exterior wheel wells to verify that no leaks are present.

8. Reassemble all parts removed in Steps 1-3. If the carpeting or seat components are wet, dry them before returning the vehicle to the customer.

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Utilize standard warranty procedures and practices.