The usual 400h boot water leak story

[Planner]

Morning all.

I won't bore with another leak story, as they've been covered before. This one isn't currently major but I'm aware I need it fixed ASAP to keep the Battery safe.

I think I've identified the source as the weld seam close the boot strut, (although maybe the luggage rack ...but one thing at a time) so was wondering what anyone else has used to patch it up? My concern isn't cosmetic.

Plumbers mate, silicone, seam sealer, epoxy fibreglass etc etc? Would like to get the best thing.

(As an aside, I also took out the entire storage area to dry and clean everything (fun) and removed one of the big black rubber plugs in the floor, just to be safe until I do my repair. Was this the right thing to do?

Cheers in advance

 

 

 

 

[Greisingel]

I recognise those pics.

Remove the rear plastic trays and get drying. Expose the rear guts (take out the rear seat bench as well, if you can be bothered) but the rear plastic sub trays (with the tyre kit etc) will give the moisture a way out either of a cracked window or into your dehumidifier.

I've bought some of those moisture absorbent crystals (not cat litter, far too dusty, even in a stocking)

 

[Herbie]

3 hours ago, Planner said:

removed one of the big black rubber plugs in the floor, just to be safe until I do my repair. Was this the right thing to do?

Absolutely the right thing to do. When water gets in it needs a way to drain out before it becomes a lake.

Good luck with the rest of it.

[Greisingel]

1 minute ago, Herbie said:

Absolutely the right thing to do. When water gets in it needs a way to drain out before it becomes a lake.

Good luck with the rest of it.

Ah so you've got access under the Battery. Absolutely, those plugs are a design fault cos they gunge up.

[Greisingel]

I've ordered a hygrometer

[Planner]

On 1/25/2021 at 1:51 PM, Greisingel said:

Ah so you've got access under the battery. Absolutely, those plugs are a design fault cos they gunge up.

Actually it was the black plugs closer to the back of the car (underneath the triangular storage section), where the water was pooling up a little. I've taken out everything except for the rear seats. I never want to see another pop stud again.

But I'm still curious what product people have used to seal up the seams for the best results?

 

 

 

[Greisingel]

Lol. Know exactly what you mean. I missed those drain plugs you mentioned. I am going out now to pull and clean them. 

I really am shocked at the amount of water that’s under the cockpit carpets.  I can hear the squelch. So now I’ve got to get those raised and aired when I work out how to pull them up without damaging stuff  

LS-X sealant was the stuff recommended to me. But I don’t think that’s robust enough if exposed to the elements. Good for plumbing yes.

I’d want a really nasty waterproof mastic you’d normally run a mile from because it’s so sticky and when it goes off you can’t get budge it. I don’t know what tho. 

[Barry14UK]

I asked an award winning repair specialist what he recommended in similar situation (it wasn't for a Lexus) and was told Tiger Seal.  I used the Grey and found it good.  https://www.u-pol.com/uk/en-uk/product/tiger-sealtm/adhesives-sealants-plastic-repairs/adhesive-sealants/tiger-seal-polyurethane-sealant-and-adhesive#.YBBNVBanw2w

[TouringRob]

I was just about to suggest Tiger Seal also, I've used it at work for many years and the stuff is awful - perfect for this job! 

Don't get it on or near anything you care about.  

[Planner]

On 1/25/2021 at 1:51 PM, Greisingel said:

 

I'll definitely give Tiger Seal a look then. Plumbers mate or whatever didn't seem like the right thing. Thanks for the advice.

I've not got anything as bad as squelchy carpets but I'll get this done before I do.

I'll report back here with the results.

[Greisingel]

Yeah I’ll get tiger seal. Raining heavily tonight. Used waterproof gaffer over the seals. 

Thing about the carpets is it’s difficult to tell. You have to press the carpets down and listen. They’re thick with a rubber base. They don’t always get soaked through to the surface

 

 

[vrodman]

Adiseal is also quite good and is available in clear so it doesnt stand out as much as coloured sealants. Forget Plumbers Mate it's non setting and totally unsuitable

good luck

 

 

[Greisingel]

Can you access the drain plugs from under the car to clean them?

[Planner]

2 hours ago, Greisingel said:

Can you access the drain plugs from under the car to clean them?

If you're talking to me, I'm not entirely sure. I had all of the compartments out anyway so they were very easy to access that way.

I did peer through them to see where they went and I couldn't directly see the ground.

[Greisingel]

Was open question, but thanks for your answer. Tells me I cannot poke through from underside.

Drain plug under HV Battery I cannot get to. Cleared ones in the trunk area at least should see off water coming before sluicing HV Battery

I am so relieved that I got my POAA6 Check Hybrid code cleared.

[Greisingel]

Until we get a dry day. 

[Planner]

Ha! Didn't know you could get full 400h covers.

Full disclosure, I'm stranded in Germany atm until I can get back to the UK and we had a few dry days so I grabbed the chance.

Ordering Tiger Seal was gonna take too long (and three times the price of Halfords) to deliver, so had to get what I think is the German equivalent called Petec k&d.

The weather has been colder than the recommend application temperature (why do these things always happen in the middle of winter?!), but there was snow and rain coming, so I've filled the most obvious 4 weld joints and will report back with pics.

 

[Greisingel]

Can you get back to Blighty anyway with all these gottverdamm lockdowns?

You could dry out and make a dash for home with floor heaters on full blast. 

Will be interested to hear how your seal up goes. 

My cover cost £39.99 from amazon. It’s decent enough. I just can’t work in the car and any rain and it just fills up. It’s coming in majorly through rear passenger light cluster or the vent. I don’t have the moon roof, another weak point though easier to fix by cleaning out drains  

Bumper will have to come off and seal gun everything. I suspect it will take many attempts. People here have had to go back in over and over. 

I will fix and get rid of the car. I want the 450H or a Range Rover 2005 2.7 diesel sport. 

[royoftherovers]

Move from a Lexus to a RANGE ROVER, I`ve not heard that before.

[Planner]

I can get back at a push, but need to do work stuff here. Brexit is making a total mess of my business. Need it like a hole in the head.

But your leaking sounds pretty terrible, compared to mine.

I didn't mention it before, but when I got the car there were a few tide marks on the wall boot area wall (solved with warm slightly soapy water) so it looks like a previous owner had fixed a few old leaks.

Seems like every car has its own specific problems that only get discovered once *I* buy it. My old 1999 7 series bmw liked to have the bowden cables snap. All of them, at one time or another. And drink oil. Fun times.

But good luck mate and report back on your progress, maybe pics if you can. It might prove handy for others (or likely me!) in the future.

 

 

[Greisingel]

4 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

Move from a Lexus to a RANGE ROVER, I`ve not heard that before.

I’d prefer a Landcruiser. Too expensive. 

[royoftherovers]

1 minute ago, Greisingel said:

I’d prefer a Landcruiser. Too expensive. 

New that makes sense Andy. Range Rover diesel and Reliability is a contradiction in terms.

[Greisingel]

Wishing Planner luck and success with his business. 

I do like driving the Rx400h but it has become a pita to maintain  

You’re right re Range Rover normally they’re junk. My brother has the only reliable 2.7tdi Vogue in the UK. 2 years of trouble free, DRY interior, off-roading. And I just get envious of all that dryness

I have fallen for a 2010 LC4 but it’s £12.8K 158k miles (nothing basically). It’s gorgeous with the flush folding trunk seats. 

 

[Planner]

Other than the water, is there anything else that ended up being a PITA? I've had it a year, and nothings been a problem yet. 

[Greisingel]

True. It has been rock solid. And I even kept up with my bro on very rough track and big rubble. It ain’t 4WD sure but it’s pretty damn good with ground clearance.

It’s a nice looking motor and on a trip to south of France I was nibbling 38mpg on the long flat autoroutes. 

And the acceleration is fantastic. Beats more modern 450Hs. Whipped a Cayenne 4.5 litre at the lights  

I think I like the RX400H again. 

The moisture ingress has been such a pain it did feel like a game changer in itself.