Jeep Wagoneer Forums

Welcome to Wagoneerforums.org! Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Liftgate Water Collection/draining

Costa

Well-known member
I've noticed a strange behavior from the Liftgate: water gets stored in it until you open it. Then, on just one side (passenger side), the water runs down the body into the Hydrolic lift area, then down through that drain to the ground.

Could this be a factory plug that should have been removed during Dealer Prep time? I'm saying it stays in the liftgate until it is lifted. I use my GW a lot so I don't know if it will eventually evaporate or not, I can say it is something I watch out for now and ensure no one stands by the liftgate on the passenger side (yes, it's that bad/much).

Thanks!
 

Dahammer

Well-known member
I've noticed a strange behavior from the Liftgate: water gets stored in it until you open it. Then, on just one side (passenger side), the water runs down the body into the Hydrolic lift area, then down through that drain to the ground.

Could this be a factory plug that should have been removed during Dealer Prep time? I'm saying it stays in the liftgate until it is lifted. I use my GW a lot so I don't know if it will eventually evaporate or not, I can say it is something I watch out for now and ensure no one stands by the liftgate on the passenger side (yes, it's that bad/much).

Thanks!
Updated 8/8/22
I have a similar issue also. Buy mine is when I close the hatch.
I think the problem is either the rubber seal around the glass or under the chrome. It could be both also.
I think it's not made to specs or thought out during the vehicle drafting stage..
Most likely, a valley with some space between the edge of the glass and the seal or under chrome. I did notice a hollow space underneath the chrome.
Both could have the same problem—the only way to know if an automotive glazier had to replace the glass.
When I open the rear hatch, nothing happens.
A monsoon happens when I close the hatch, and water floods out.
Water always finds the lowest point, including the hatch.
 
Last edited:

Wagonmaster

Well-known member
I have the same issue also.
I think the rubber seal around the glass and under chrome is not made to specs.
Most likely a valley or space between the edge of the glass and the seal.
When open, water always finds the lowest point, including the hatch.
So when you close the hatch, a monsoon happens, and water floods out.
Wait, his is draining when he opens it and yours is draining when you shut it?
 

WarBar4344

Active member
Seen this, as well, but have not noticed any leakage into the interior. Other than a nuisance, hopefully it is not entering the hatch interior where it could cause corrosion issues.
 

Costa

Well-known member
Okay gang, looks like we bought Camels and didn't know it.... Since mine is Midnight Blue, has to drain when the hatch opens, the water can't find a way out when it is closed.

@Dahammer has a white one, must be the truck gets a tonic water up its nose and snorts it out when you close the liftgate. What could be a worse problem.... has it 'backfired'? :ROFLMAO:
 

Costa

Well-known member
Seen this, as well, but have not noticed any leakage into the interior. Other than a nuisance, hopefully it is not entering the hatch interior where it could cause corrosion issues.
That's exactly my concern, all kidding aside I wonder about the eventual rust issue. Either a design flaw as @Dahammer mentioned or very poor window assembly with that indented window rather than flush on the liftgate.
 

Wagonmaster

Well-known member
Have you all checked for the rubber seal under your antenna on the back? You can see it from the outside……

430E4467-7977-44F4-A494-AE64A7A2BB01.jpeg
 
Last edited:

Costa

Well-known member
@Wagonmaster Is the suspicion it enters there and runs into the back liftgate? Interesting, I'll check it later today. Still, shouldn't puddle up/pool in the liftgate and not drain. Both are potential issues...

Inspection time, will get my magnifying glass and Sherlock hat.
 

WarBar4344

Active member
@Wagonmaster Is the suspicion it enters there and runs into the back liftgate? Interesting, I'll check it later today. Still, shouldn't puddle up/pool in the liftgate and not drain. Both are potential issues...

Inspection time, will get my magnifying glass and Sherlock hat.
This thread is getting close to running off the rails. There is no leak here….at least not in my case. It is just how water sits around the tailgate window after washing or a rain( speculating on the rain cause we haven’t had much here😀). I suspect that if you didn’t open the tailgate right away after wash, the water around the window would slowly drain away or evaporate. My observation did not in anyway involve the antenna and I have not observed any interior leakage. If I in anyway helped move this topic off track, I apologize.
 

Costa

Well-known member
This thread is getting close to running off the rails. There is no leak here….at least not in my case. It is just how water sits around the tailgate window after washing or a rain( speculating on the rain cause we haven’t had much here😀). I suspect that if you didn’t open the tailgate right away after wash, the water around the window would slowly drain away or evaporate. My observation did not in anyway involve the antenna and I have not observed any interior leakage. If I in anyway helped move this topic off track, I apologize.
Okay, no worries, it's all in the interest to help address issues. No off track at all IMHO. Glad you were offering things to check, it all works.

Mine is a lot of water coming out two or three days after rain (it's been a wet summer in the mid atlantic). I had my vehicle sit in the driveway and a few days later all dry. I opened the tailgate to load it for a trip, flush. It has happened with the vehicle facing downhill or uphill in the slight driveway grade, same results for the past few months. Even before my Ceramic Coating and PPF was done so that didn't create the clog either.

Just thought I'd see if it was more than just me, and frankly am hoping it is another situation of a Dealer Prep missing something. They didn't get the plastic protection off the mats in the front (silver tab on the corners of the mats). We also had a person with their air suspension plugs (done for transport protectino) left on the vehicle that was reported on this site. Turned out to be a dealer prep issue, they are supposed to take those plugs off the hydrolic system on arrival.

My thoughts: If everyone is getting it, potential Design choice (or flaw?). A few of us, possible dealer prep on a plug that should be opened during prep. So why not ask and see how this shakes out, there are a lot of great inputs, including yours, that help us all get a bead on what may or may not be happening. :)
 
Top