Trunk Leak on '99 Camry

[Cdn17Sport6MT]

I've posted the following on ToyotaNation, and maybe I have not given it enough time, but I find TN not too responsive on subject matter concerning cars as old as my '99. Can I give it a try here?

I'm having some trouble finding out why my '99 Camry four-door has a water leak into the trunk. The two graphics show where the drips start-from, and where the water accumulates, but the difficulty I'm having is WHERE exactly the water gets-in to the car.

I have ruled out the tail lamps. I have ruled out the bolt evident in the first photograph. I 'kinda think it may be a lap-seam which is seam-sealed is leaking due to that elastomer losing its rubber-like / sealing properties. I think it may be on the lip where the trunk seal is affixed-to, and I'm not sure how far up... but possibly in the vertical area of this lip.

I made a half-hearted attempt to use some silicone sealant to try to add to the sealing properties of the trunk lip seam... but it is only a half-hearted attempt. Still a problem.

Can anyone please pipe-up, as to whether this is a common 4th Generation Camry issue, and where the likely leakage point is? It is creating a pool of water in the trunk, mostly behind the right wheel, but also in the spare tire well. Mold is starting in the car, in wintertime.

Please help!

 

[Nick1994]

Mine leaks there too, for obvious reasons....

I just drilled a hole in the bottom so it stays drained.

 

[JC1]

Maybe the water is coming in through that piece in the third picture above the bumper cover. I would use some clear caulking for Windows and flashing on it and see if that keeps it dry.

 

[Cdn17Sport6MT]

Maybe the water is coming in through that piece in the third picture above the bumper cover. I would use some clear caulking for Windows and flashing on it and see if that keeps it dry.

I will look, again, at how it is sealed. If dodgy, I will take the action you suggest with the Clear.

Thank you!

 

[wag123]

Leaking tail lamp housing seals are a common problem on these cars when they get old. I have had it happen on a couple of different Toyotas.

 

[zzyzzx]

You missed a common leak spot in that area on these cars which is a vent flap thing. It's near the tail light. It's been discussed before in the forum where you posted this question:
https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/trunk-leak-on-fourth-generation-camry-99-camry-ce.1704306/

I just don't know what the part was called. It kinds of looks like louvers and on mine one of the flaps came off and I fixed it with flex tape. Think of it as something that lets the air out when you slam the door.

 

[zzyzzx]

https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/challenging-weird-interior-leak-in-the-trunk.229064/

 

[Cdn17Sport6MT]

That's on LHS of trunk. No appreciable leaks there..

 

[kschachn]

FWIW I've had to replace the rubber perimeter seal on every one of my old cars due to leaking. After 15 years or so they stop sealing properly.