What's the purpose of the 15 tape-covered holes that can be seen in the upper left of this pic I found online? They are in a square basin, center-rear of trunk floor pan, under the spare tire. It seems they can serve as a drain, but why did the factory cover them with tape?

 

OK! Well, I'm going to employ them as a drain by peeling back some of the tape. Any water that collects in the trunk seems to travel in the floor pan channels to this square basin. Until I get around to finding where exactly the water is coming in, they'll save me from removing the spare & sopping up water with 2 rolls of paper towels everytime there's a big rain.

 

Failing rubber trunk seals are usually the culprit for trunk water leaks, especially in the older cars. You may be able to reseal it, or you may need to replace it. Take a good look - you may be able to pinpoint the exact area of the leak....

Do not let this leak linger. Water in the trunk eventually hoses your electronics there....

 

Another way of checking for leaks. Climb into trunk (boot) with flashlight (torch) in hand. Have a trusted friend close lid, hose in hand. Lite torch, have friend run water hose all around trunk seal and you look where the ingress is.

 

I don't know about the pre-facelift models, but Rick's method is not quite as adventurous with the 2003 and subsequent models with the anti-kidnap-lanyard fitted. You can always take a key FOB in with you, though, to assist in egress should it become necessary....if, for instance, your substitute for "trusted friend" happens to be one of your kids who gets the bright idea dad could use a li'l "boot time."

 

Thanks. I found this article.
S-Type water leak

I'll look over things when the weather is less brutal. I believe my leak is on the passenger side. I've had ice in the trunk & most of it is near & under the battery tray, in the floor pan drain channels. I've seen some trails of ice coming down the back panel from the trunk seal on that side.

 

You can simply puncture the tape thru those holes using a pointy object like a nail, as I did. No need to remove the tape.

 

I used to puncture a few holes in there at regular service. Some owners won't notice a leak until it's to late.
normal cause was boot/trunk seal. We would renew the seal and silicon seal it where it fixes over the body, basically all the way round.

 

>What's the purpose of the 15 tape-covered holes

Nice discussion of trunk leaks, but it really didn't answer his question.

So, does anyone have any idea why those holes were put there in the first place?
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My karma just ran over your dogma
Current Hers: '13 Lexus ES350
Current Mine: '08 Jaguar S-Type 4.2 "Satin Edition" (250.06 whp / 259.67 torque)

 

There air holes so you can breath when a 'trusted friend" puts you in the trunk! Sorry couldn't resist.

 

I would hazard a guess that they are drainage holes used when/if the body is dipped prior to paint or maybe during painting.

 

The Jaguar design team try to incorporate many different user needs.....

 

I've seen single drain holes with rubber plugs on cars, but never 15 neatly drilled holes with tape over them.

Does anyone know if the earlier '99-'01 model S-Types have them also?