infotime

Just got the RX 330 today and need to get it ready for prime time. Since I bought it from a private party who was about to trade it in, it was not super clean. I'd like to get it detailed right away. However there's one problem and that's the leak in the lift gate.

The seller pointed it out to me before I bought it. There's some rubber weatherstripping coming out from underneath the of the black spoiler on the right hand side. The headliner inside has some mild stains from water getting in. The seller said water only gets in when she goes through a car wash.

Someone mentioned that there's a TSB out about this problem. But, since the vehicle's warranty has expired (2004 with 47,000 miles) it wouldn't be covered.

Is this a DIY repair? Should it be done at the dealer? Any chance I could get it done as a warranty item.

I have no idea where to start, since this is my first Lexus after having Hondas for over 20 years.

veleno

iTrader: (3)

I really doubt they'll warranty it but maybe you can bring it in to the dealership that does the service on it and they may goodwill the problem since they've worked on the car since new.

By headliner are you referring to the panel that's under the roof or on the lift gate? If it's the lift gate then it's a panel, not a headliner. I just want to make sure I know which part you're talking about.

Say it's the panel under the spoiler, then it should be a DIY fix if the dealer won't do it. Simply remove the panels, remove spoiler, install new weather stripping (I don't think I've seen any weather stripping there though, but I did see some foam padding to avoid scratches), and reinstall spoiler/panels and you'll be good to go.

infotime

Yeah, it's the panel. I called it a headliner because it has the upholstered material like a headliner.

It wasn't immediately obvious how to get that stuff apart. Can you recommend a good source for instructions? How about where to get the replacement weatherstrip or padding?

phlfly

Look close on rear hatch/door frame it should have rubber gourmets but there are closing the holes into the door frame. Make sure there are there. I had a leak to the rear stop light, so after heavy rain I have lift a gate up and a lot water start escaping from the door frame.

infotime

Here's some pics:

Weatherstrip falling under right side of spoiler:


Staining of the panel on inside of lift gate. Notice that I popped off the little cover where the lift gate motor arm attaches:

veleno

iTrader: (3)

Carefully start to pull at one corner of that top panel, looking for the plastic tabs that pop into the body. Stick a plastic panel remover tool (or a screw driver if you're careful) to take the tabs out. Careful not to bend/crease the panel as it'll be weak due to the water leak. You may have to pop off the sides first (at least the top part area) to get the top piece out.

Before you remove the spoiler, try to track down where the leak is coming from. If I remember correctly, the spoiler sits in a way where water should not come in unless a plastic grommet has come out. If it doesn't look like you can fix the leak without removing the spoiler then just remove the bolts, plastic tab, and pop the spoiler out. Look in the holes and you'll see the screw and plastic tab that'll need to be squeezed through the hole.

I haven't removed my spoiler in a while so hopefully my comments above prove helpful for you.

Let us know the cause of the leak once you've found it.

infotime

Here's a closeup of where the lift gate motor arm attaches. There's a little white clip inside. Is that the plastic tab you're referring to?

veleno

iTrader: (3)

Yes those are the plastic tabs I'm referring to. They are spread out on the panel in at different points. Gently pull the panel apart just far enough to see them and pop them out.

TriniLex

Did you ever find that water leak?