I just acquired a 1992 240 Wagon with water (no, I didn't pay extra for the water) in both the front and rear floorboards and in the rear storage compartment where the rear jump seat folds away. I have owned 240's for 12 years now and have never had to track down the source of a water leak (except for unplugging drain holes on a leaking sunroof). I have removed the front and rear seats along with the carpet and have proceeded to determine the source(s) of water.

I have exhausted the archives with regards to water leaks--i.e. the drain holes along the bottom of the car flow freely when water is ran down the cowl vent on the hood, the windshield is not leaking. The cargo windows appear to be the only source of water (but I find that hard to believe with the quanity of water found everywhere). It looked as if a PO had used some black RTV sealant along the bottom of the cargo windows as it looked very sloppy. The sealant was pealing away and at first I thought that could be why the windows were leaking. Well, I proceeded to remove the black elastic RTV goopy stuff and found several "v-shaped" notches in the rubber molding along the bottom of it every 8 in. or so. Are these notches for releasing water? The molding/gasket looks brand new BTW. I then took a water hose and ran water along the window. I noticed on the driver's side that water was dripping in right where the tailight sockets are. I then peered up in there and saw a hole about 1/8" in diameter right underneath the window molding/gasket. A previous person had posted something about drain holes being present on '89-'93 240 wagons. Is this a drain hole for the window which would drip water into the spare tire well to be deposited via the rubber plug?? I wouldn't think one would want water dripping in and around the taillight sockets (which would cause broken bulbs, corrosion etc.)

Should I just try and reseal the cargo windows with some 3M urethane resealant without removing them or is my problem solved by removing the RTV sealant which apparently allowed water to be pushed up and over the window frame?

Thank you in advance! I hope this helps someone else out as well.

Rudabaker
'87,'89,'92 240's