C-pillar vent holes

[wbrian63]

While welding up the joint where the rear fenders were mated to the C-pillars on #521, I discovered what appears to be a gap between the C-pillar and the section of the body that forms the "duct" where cabin air exits behind the trim piece at the rear of the rear doors.

There's definitely a gap between the outside skin of the car and the inner section. I don't think this is as a result of the replacement fenders, they're fixed to the car below this point.

Question for all - what keeps water from getting in behind the trim and running into the gap seen at the bottom of these pictures? Any water getting in here drops onto the top of the inner rear fender.

You can see the gap inside the highlighted area:




When I was cleaning out this area, there appeared to be some sort of rubbery filler in this gap. That would hardly seem a good method for keeping out water - the filler won't last forever.

Any ideas?

[TJ 450]

Yep,

There was filler in there from the factory. I always thought this was a little odd, as it's usually cracked.

Tim

[robertd]

I concur with Tim,
I have recently replaced the filler in that same spot on my blue 6.9.
It is just plastic type filler, goes in like putty and hardens over time.
make sure you shape it proud of the frame so it funnels the water out,
and paint it when you do the rest of the car
cheers

[wbrian63]

Thanks, guys. At least I'm not going to have to worry about trying to weld this hole up.

[gf]

ummm are you guys talking about that gunk that sits at the bottom of those holes? Its actually supposed to be there? I always thought it was just accumulated car polish!!!!!

[robertd]

And it is painted over from factory

[ptashek]

Yep, same thing on my euro 350 and 450. There's a healthy dollop of something that looks very much like the stuff that's underneath the car, painted over in body colour.