Water Damage in The Trunk of Honda Odyssey

MatrixM on 04/01/2021 - 16:31
Last edited 04/01/2021 - 16:38 by 1 other user

So about a week ago we opened the back of our 00' Honda Odyssey to convert the trunk into the two extra seats and found that under the part of the trunk that gets flipped up, rusty water was pooled, (rust from the the metal in the overhanging seat/trunk floor, as the underside of that was stained too).

We had no idea where the water came from as the trunk lid closes and appears to seal properly. A bit forward of the trunk lid there is some damage from sun/rusting so that's my theory. Tried shoving some plastic bags in there. The next day after another night of rain the water was back.

Garage is currently unusable so I figure my best bet is just covering with a tarp every time we're not driving (turns out tarp isn't cheap..), but then when we drive in the rain we'd have the same problem.

Any ideas if any form of insurance should cover this?

Automotive Honda Van

Comments

  • Drakesy on 04/01/2021 - 17:02
    +2

    Hmm, can you blame it on an event covered in your policy? hail, previous dodgy repair job that should be covered by them etc.

    Unless you can, a 20+ year old car is highly prone to rust, if anything it's expected no matter how well you keep it unfortunately, insurance would likely not cover it.

  • AirbusA389 on 04/01/2021 - 17:18
    +1

    Kmart sells car covers for $20 (thereabouts). Honda Jazz has sealant and water leakage problems. Won't be surprised if your H/Odyssey has similar issues.

    • [Deactivated] on 05/01/2021 - 02:50
      +1

      can confirm , Honda Jazz roof rubber seals come loose or break revealing holes the rubber seals is meant to clip into and block

      Water gets in those holes and travels down the path of least resistance and ends up in the trunk and even worse in the front footwell if it pours

      quick easy fix , fill the holes and try to sandwich the rubber seal with roof and gutter silicone sealant (Suitable for use on copper, aluminium, brass, zinc, galvanised metals, rigid PVC and most plastics*, rubber, glass, terracotta, concrete and glazed tiles , Superior waterproof and UV resistant)

      Its already been 1 year and results have been great.

  • spackbace on 04/01/2021 - 17:42
    +1

    Depending on the model, it's worth under $5k. Paying your insurance excess (assuming you have comprehensive?) would be basically pointless

    My advice, get rid of it as soon as you can. That rust will just keep eating through until you do any form of major repairs, which wouldn't be financially viable on that car.

  • Herp on 04/01/2021 - 17:49

    How much rust, like surface rust or holes in the body? Post photos.

    Insurance won't cover this. Is there a rubber body plug at the bottom of the area where the water is pooling? if so remove it for the time being and any water that would normally pool will run out. You (or a mechanic/body shop) will need to do a water test to find where it's leaking.

  • brendanm on 04/01/2021 - 18:23

    This will likely just be surface rust. As above, point a hose at it and find out where it's leaking

  • bdl on 04/01/2021 - 18:48
    +4

    *boot

  • neo on 04/01/2021 - 19:15

    Probably from the top of the boot or the tail-light seals. Similar problem on my Subaru.

    Once I replaced the light seals and glued down the boot seal with some Sikaflex all was solved.

    As per above, do a test to confirm where it's coming from.

  • Lexan on 05/01/2021 - 00:01

    Is it something like this?

    https://youtu.be/zwFQAk81JwI

    • MatrixM on 05/01/2021 - 11:24

      Hey nice. Mine has more extensive damage but I'll look into silicon sealing.

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