Water flooding in Spare Tire compartment?

Hello,
I have a Civic HB 98
I just noticed some water flooding in where the spare tire is located. I
apprently had water sitting there for months without me noticing it. I
now have blasted rust damage, and the "fly bolt" that holds the spare
wheel down to the metal panel has completely rusted and will have to be
replaced along with the bolt holder.
I also know somebody else with a Honda Civic HB 97 with the exact same
problem with water coming in...
I think water comes in from the gas gasket underneath the left wheel
well. I think when I wash the car, or when I drive over a puddle water
find its way in through the wheel well lining and over into the interior
of the car....

Have other Civic HB owners experienced this porblem? Is this a defect?
or just a worn out component, which allows the water to seep in?

What do you guys think?...

Thanks, Sparpa

 

No, you are not alone with this problem. After the water leaks in , it
goes to the trunk's lowest spot which is usually the spare tire well.
Sometimes, the leak fills the bottom of the rear quarter pannels. In
older cars, I suspect one in three have this problem. Pulling the spare
is the only sure way to check for this problem. Left unchecked, your spare
tire well will rust out. Sometimes the water is several inches deep and
other times it's just a little water. Some people pull out a small rubber
plug in the wheel well, while others drill a small (1/4 inch) hole until
they get the leak repaired. Finding the leak is sometime very difficult.
Many times, the leak is coming from the tail light area. There are gaskets
that dry out or become deformed. Be very careful when tightening those
plastic tail lights. They break very, very, easily. Good luck.