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Unexpected Corrosion..

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2019 3:39 pm
by Chrissyg
Hi all,

Just thought I'd post up as a matter of interest for the rest of you all to check on your cars.

I had a flat battery over the weekend, so had to get into the car using the (how on earth can they call that a key!) key in the fob.

Upon removing the trim in the boot to get to the boot I was greeted with a rather large amount of water sitting in the grooves in the boot (which I've now cleared up) but also a rather large amount of rust & dirt. It seems water has been leaking in over a matter of years and has lead to a minor corrosion issue in the boot.

I've called up my local dealership and luckily (car is 5.5 years old) and the car work will be covered under the 6 year JLR corrosion & paint warranty which is a great result. They've told me they'll be replacing all seals and bungs, all electrical cables and items in the boot, and will carry out some extensive testing to ensure this problem is fully resolved!

Long and the short of it, I'd never have known had the battery not run flat and I could have been in line for a rather expensive bill in the future! Might be worth some of you checking your convertibles, as it seems like this is probably in part (if not entirely) a boot seal issue.

Have a check, you never know if this is on your car too!

Chris

Re: Unexpected Corrosion..

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2019 3:49 pm
by davidd
Thanks for the heads up

Re: Unexpected Corrosion..

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2019 3:54 pm
by scm
Yuk! Glad you got it sorted out satisfactorily.

Re: Unexpected Corrosion..

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2019 5:33 pm
by Nick
Thanks will check mine

Re: Unexpected Corrosion..

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2019 6:39 pm
by Chrissyg
Dealership were very good about it to their credit, didn't have to fight - they just accepted the issue and will have it booked in for February.

Just figured you guys could do with a heads up!

Re: Unexpected Corrosion..

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2019 2:10 am
by Tel
Chrissyg wrote: ā†‘Thu Jan 10, 2019 6:39 pm Dealership were very good about it to their credit, didn't have to fight - they just accepted the issue and will have it booked in for February.

Just figured you guys could do with a heads up!

Well done Chris and sorry to see the state of it.

It's clear that there is an issue with water ingress (or has the battery leaked - unlikely as they are sealed and I see no acid damage, but still a possibility) most likely a blocked drain channel or a leaky seal. The cars go through a deluge system before they leave the line, and are inspected prior to sale.
As it's a convertible there are several drain areas that you can check with a bottle of water. First is under the rear spoiler when raised and second is around the rear plastic trim on the body when you open the bootlid. You should be able to pour water in both these locations and see it drain through channels.

I wonder if you have had any after market mods fitted and someone may have left out a blanking plug or opted not to refit a rubber grommet or the like?

Main thing is, that you (or your dealer) halt the corrosion. Fortunately most of the components back there are either Alu, Cad plated steel or copper.

If it were me - I would be spraying GT85 liberally over and around every component and leaving it overnight to soak in, and then clean up any residue.

Re: Unexpected Corrosion..

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2019 8:21 am
by Chrissyg
Tel wrote: ā†‘Fri Jan 11, 2019 2:10 am
Well done Chris and sorry to see the state of it.

It's clear that there is an issue with water ingress (or has the battery leaked - unlikely as they are sealed and I see no acid damage, but still a possibility) most likely a blocked drain channel or a leaky seal. The cars go through a deluge system before they leave the line, and are inspected prior to sale.
As it's a convertible there are several drain areas that you can check with a bottle of water. First is under the rear spoiler when raised and second is around the rear plastic trim on the body when you open the bootlid. You should be able to pour water in both these locations and see it drain through channels.

I wonder if you have had any after market mods fitted and someone may have left out a blanking plug or opted not to refit a rubber grommet or the like?

Main thing is, that you (or your dealer) halt the corrosion. Fortunately most of the components back there are either Alu, Cad plated steel or copper.

If it were me - I would be spraying GT85 liberally over and around every component and leaving it overnight to soak in, and then clean up any residue.
No worries - just don't want any other earlier cars being stung by the same issue!

Yeah, absolutely. Don't think it was the battery, as the battery is very healthy despite having run out and when cleaning it up, had no smell to it. My bet is on a leaky seal (probably boot seal as it was damp when I got the car open, despite it being inside for a few days). I've seen the water test at Castle Bromwich (work for JLR as a Launch Manager for Range Rover/Range Rover Sport) and it's pretty severe!

I appreciate the pointers for places to test, I think I'll give them a test once the car is back from repairs as the dealer are likely to do a huge amount of work in the boot and have stated they'll carry out pressure and water tests to ensure a good seal, post their work. No aftermarket mods as far as I'm aware!

As the dealer have seen the car and agreed to the work, and to replace electrical connectors, wires etc.. in early Feb, I think I'll just leave it for now but I greatly appreciate the advice and will re-visit come the return of the car :D

I'd be interested to see if anyone has a similar issue, or if we're all squeaky clean!

Chris

Re: Unexpected Corrosion..

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2019 4:03 pm
by PussCat
Between now and february, I'd recommend leaving off the battery bay liner annd putting in a 1kg bag of silica gel (car dehumidifier bag available for about a tenner on the bay. Get one with ann indicator button, so you know when to recharge it).

Check/recharge it once or twice a week.

Reduce the chance of mouldy smells.

Re: Unexpected Corrosion..

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2019 8:28 pm
by Dan_Veluwe
@Chrissyg

I have a hygrometer inside the car, a relic from a previous car. I wondered why it always indicates "100%" if the car has been standing still for a few days.. ... maybe I have the same issue.. ..will check soon..

Re: Unexpected Corrosion..

Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2019 6:53 am
by Chrissyg
PussCat wrote: ā†‘Fri Jan 11, 2019 4:03 pm Between now and february, I'd recommend leaving off the battery bay liner annd putting in a 1kg bag of silica gel (car dehumidifier bag available for about a tenner on the bay. Get one with ann indicator button, so you know when to recharge it).

Check/recharge it once or twice a week.

Reduce the chance of mouldy smells.
Thanks Puss, good idea!

Dan, let us know how you get on, Iā€™m curious to see if the boot seal is a weak part and if other cars have this issue!