1999 Cadillac Deville My Trunk is either leaking or Condens

Tiny
BASSMUSICIAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE
  • V8
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 117,105 MILES
I was wondering if anyone else has had a problem with their trunks either leaking or forming condensation? I believe mine is somehow forming condensation rather than a leak.
I bought the car in January, and now I notice that under the mat where the spare tire is, it has moisture on the mat, well apparently it's been doing this for awhile, (one other thing, there were air fresheners in the trunk, I'm guessing to stop any moldy smell)
The thing that holds the spare tire cover on, was so rusted, I had to take a large cresent wrench very carefully, and a can of WD-40 to get it loose enough to take the spare out. There was a pair of pliers and a couple screwdrivers laying in there totally rusted. Otherwise, it hasnt rusted through or anything. Now this really appears to be condensation, as I haven't seen water standing in the well. Is this a common problem with these? My friend said perhaps its leaking through that automatic trunk closer, and that perhaps that can be adjusted to pull it down tighter?
Any input would be apprieciated.
Thanks,
Jack
Wednesday, May 28th, 2008 AT 10:57 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
BUZZSAW
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Hiya Bassman how ya been, yeah Ive seen'em leak, for a Deville its usually the seal, it could also be the rear tail lights where they come through the metal, you need to remove everything and climb into the trunk and shut the lid, hopefully you not closterfobic, lol and have someone spray the deck lid with a hose and ck these spots, let me know what ya find and I'll help ya seal it up
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Saturday, May 31st, 2008 AT 2:12 AM
Tiny
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Hi Buzzsaw,
Doin pretty good, and you? Hey I took the Caddy on it's first 1000 plus mile round trip, and it went great! I got 28 miles per gallon! Not bad considering my wifes Cavilier 4cyl only gets 32mpg on the same trip!
I had called a body shop and asked about my trunk leak problem, he didn't mention the tail lights, but he did mention the chrome around the rear window, but he said thats usually in the ones with fake convertable top.
As for me getting in the trunk, no way. Lol. I'm 6'3" tall, 350 lbs, and have had 3 major 3 minor back surgeries. BUT I'm sure I can find a friend, or my little 5'4" 115lb wife to do it for me. I'll ask her tonight when she gets home.
By the way, I havent got my new wires and plugs in yet, but this one guy did something for me that may of very well fixed my dying when it rains problem. He cleaned this area of the throttle body or whatever that is big round opening, and he also cleaned many sensors, and the air charge temp sensor? I think? Anyway, after doing that, it hasn't died yet. I need to give it it's first oil change, it claims I have 51% left, but I'm a 3000 mile oil change guy. I've used Havaloine for many years on my other vehiciles with no problems, looks like previous owner used a brand called Northland which we don't have around here, in fact, I've never heard of it. My mechanic claims any good API certified brand is fine, he uses Valvoline.
Good to hear from ya! I'll let ya know when I get the wife to check the trunk for me.
As stated, it looks like condensation, its droplets under the spare tire cover, and on the spare tire. Appears to have done this a LONG time, and alot of wd-40 and 3 in 1 oil and alot of vise grip work. Lol. To get the rusty bolt that holds the cover off.
Thanks again, Jack
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Sunday, June 8th, 2008 AT 9:08 AM
Tiny
BUZZSAW
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Hi Buzzsaw,
Doin pretty good, and you? Hey I took the Caddy on it's first 1000 plus mile round trip, and it went great! I got 28 miles per gallon! Not bad considering my wifes Cavilier 4cyl only gets 32mpg on the same trip!
I had called a body shop and asked about my trunk leak problem, he didn't mention the tail lights, but he did mention the chrome around the rear window, but he said thats usually in the ones with fake convertable top.
As for me getting in the trunk, no way. Lol. I'm 6'3" tall, 350 lbs, and have had 3 major 3 minor back surgeries. BUT I'm sure I can find a friend, or my little 5'4" 115lb wife to do it for me. I'll ask her tonight when she gets home.
By the way, I havent got my new wires and plugs in yet, but this one guy did something for me that may of very well fixed my dying when it rains problem. He cleaned this area of the throttle body or whatever that is big round opening, and he also cleaned many sensors, and the air charge temp sensor? I think? Anyway, after doing that, it hasn't died yet. I need to give it it's first oil change, it claims I have 51% left, but I'm a 3000 mile oil change guy. I've used Havaloine for many years on my other vehiciles with no problems, looks like previous owner used a brand called Northland which we don't have around here, in fact, I've never heard of it. My mechanic claims any good API certified brand is fine, he uses Valvoline.
Good to hear from ya! I'll let ya know when I get the wife to check the trunk for me.
As stated, it looks like condensation, its droplets under the spare tire cover, and on the spare tire. Appears to have done this a LONG time, and alot of wd-40 and 3 in 1 oil and alot of vise grip work. Lol. To get the rusty bolt that holds the cover off.
Thanks again, Jack[/quote:2a8241ae4c]

Im doin just great, you can start by removing the inside carpet, then put whoever in the trunk with a light, if the carpet is white on the back side it has water comming in somewhere, is the carpet wet?
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Monday, June 9th, 2008 AT 2:44 AM
Tiny
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No Buzzsaw, it isn't wet on the Carpet in there. Its like these little droplets form all around the spare tire, and on the peice of carpet with the rubber mat under it, and the Jack etc. All the stuff down in the Spare Tire Well.
When I bought the Car in January, I noticed a little tree air freshener hanging in the Trunk, I'll bet it had smelled at one time in there, but it doesnt now. I know it will if I dont get this leak fixed. As stated, I had a HECK of a time just getting the thing that holds the cover over the Spare tire off, the threads were coated with surface rust. I also found a pair of pliers and a screwdriver in there, solid rust.
The water though, is like clinging droplets to the underside of the cover, on the spare, on the Jack, on anything in the tire well. For now, I'm leaving the cover off. My wife said she'll help me with the flashlight soon, but shes been working weird hours lately, I'll let you know what she sees in there as soon as she does it for me. Thanks, Have a great evening! Jack

PS. I have another idea, I can take a picture of it tomorrow, and show you how the droplets just cling to the stuff in there.
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Monday, June 9th, 2008 AT 7:39 PM
Tiny
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Before you do take a pic of it remove the carpet, the bottom and 2 sides its easy, look at the dirt trails, look at each wheel well
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Tuesday, June 10th, 2008 AT 7:50 AM
Tiny
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Hey Buzzsaw,
I just wanted to let you know, that I havent had time yet to get my wife to go into the trunk with a flashlight.
I've had some bad stuff goin on lately, first we took that trip to Michigan, and get this bro, 28 MPG in the Caddy round trip! No probs with her either, rode so smooth it made that boring trip ALOT FASTER!
The bad news is, my nephew in Iowa is in the Hospital in critical condition, and I had to go there to be with my frantic sister etc. Well on the way up there, I scored a unreal 30MPG! On the way back, and running around while I was up there, it only got like 26 MPG but I ran the A/C alot more too.
Anyway, hope to get her to get in the trunk soon with a flashlight to find that leak. I did pull that carpet back by the tailights, and I did notice that white 4looking stuff you mentioned. Oh ya, I didnt get those pics taken either. I did notice though, that since I've left the cover off the trunkwell, it isnt wet at all now!
Well Peace out, gotta get goin. Hope all's well,
Jack
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Sunday, June 29th, 2008 AT 2:29 PM
Tiny
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Hey Buzzsaw,
I wanted to let you know that I've had even more bad stuff happen lately, sadly, my nephew passed away and I had to make the trip to Iowa once again. :(
I once again got 30+ MPG on the way up there, but only 26- MPG on the way home, however, my other nephew told me that the state of IA Oxogenizes thier gas to make it "burn cleaner for Iowa" and perhaps thats why the Missouri gas gets better milage than the IA gas.
Anyway, one more bad thing happened, I fell and broke a couple of ribs (ouch) I'm going to try and get that carpet out and take those pics soon, as I want to stop this leak before it causes bigger problems. Sorry for not replying before now, I dont do the PC thing to often, and with all the crap goin' on lately around here, even less. I do Apprieciate BIGTIME all your help though. I hope all has been well with you.
Jack
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Saturday, August 2nd, 2008 AT 7:29 AM

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