Yes, if they wash it prior to delivery you can open the hatch and listen to the water run towards the top.
Thank you Trevor for taking the time to post this procedure and hope this fixes your code issues. I have not done this repair yet as I avoided getting water penetration when washing (painters tape in the corners) and did not drive in the rain. However, I want to get this done now. Couple questions if you please - some I asked when the thread opened but did not get a reply. Seems you have confirmed that the inner side trim panels must come off first before the center panel. Do you have any photos of the backside of the side panels (shows plastic pins and their location)? If not, do you remember about how many pins need to be popped on each panel or where they are located or how hard you had to pull or if you suggest a pry tool? Just concerned because I've never had luck popping inner trim pieces without messing up the push pins in other cars. Thank you.
For the inner side panels, there’s a screw and a plastic insert towards the back on each side. Remove the screw and insert, and it will expose the Allen head bolt. Once you remove that, the back of the trim piece will be loose. I worked my fingers up the back side of the trim from back to front, and they popped out. One of the plastic pins stayed in the hatch and didn’t come out with the trim, but I was able to use a flat head screwdriver to pry it out without breaking it. At the very front of the side trim piece, there’s a piece that inserts into the center trim piece for alignment. Once both plastic pins are popped out, you’ll need to pull towards the back of the car as you remove the side trim piece. I’ve included pics of the plastic pins, screw and Allen bolt location, and the alignment dowel on the front of the trim piece.
Next step is to remove the center trim piece. Each side of the center piece is held in with two Allen head bolts. Remove a total of four bolts, and then you’ll have three plastic pins to pop out. I applied pressure evenly under the front and back of the trim piece working from right to left, and they popped out. I’ve included pics. Note that there are multiple slots on the back of the trim panels where more push pins could be located, but they aren’t used. There are a total of three plastic pins to pop out on the center trim piece. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
The last step is to remove the third brake light. It’s held in by four nuts/bolts and a plastic push pin on each end. Remove the four nuts first. Note that the bolts are held in the brake light and won’t come out separately. They’ll feel loose in the light, but you don’t remove them individually. You’ll also need to unplug the brake light in the center. It will have a small tab in the middle that you’ll press in then pull out. From that point, you’re ready to remove the brake light. You’ll want to take your time and be careful. You will need to pry one end of the brake light up from the outside to pop the plastic pin out. It would be easiest with a straight edge of some sort, and plastic pry tools would be best. I didn’t have any, so I used a metal pry tool with a towel on the end to protect it from scratching the brake light or paint. Once you get one side popped out, simply apply pressure from the other side to get the other one out. Then, you’ll lift the brake light assembly out. If you washed your car recently, you’ll notice quite a bit of water run out. I’ve included pics of the rear of the brake light assembly, the plastic pins on each side that you pop out, the plug, and how much water was trapped in my hatch. Each plastic pin on each end of the brake light assembly will have a small felt-type gasket around it that sits against the paint. Mine fell off when I removed the brake light, so just slide them back over the plastic pins so you’re ready for reassembly. Repeat all of these steps in reverse order to reassemble. I’ll post pics later this week of where I seal it up. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Just a fantastic write-up Trevor. Pictures and all. You should be a tech writer (if you're not already). I look forward to your seal-up method so I can repeat. What sealant are you choosing? I assume it would be black or clear automotive weather-stripping. Thank you again for your effort to document this procedure As an interesting note, member elipinski posted the following pic earlier in this thread of the underside of the center trim piece. It appears to have all seven of the plastic pins installed. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks for the kind words. I’m not a tech writer, but I’ve had to put similar presentations together before. Very interesting on the plastic clips! Either they were having “bring alcohol to work day” when mine was built, or someone else had it apart previously and lost a few of them. I’ll source some before reassembly. I haven’t picked out the sealant yet, but I’ll post up what I use.
Late to this great post by Trevor. Thank you. I haven't had water in there yet...then again...it hasn't been out in the rain for this very reason and the other possible issue...that is with rear wheel top vents corroding around the mesh.
It astounds me how inept Ferrari is at avoiding issues that $30,000 cars don’t have. (Paint, batteries, water, etc ). Is this water issue (combined with the other issues) enough of a problem that it should discourage the purchase of an F12 ?
No. Easy mitigation described in this thread. Dealer will perform for free at the annual under OEM warranty if you request. Use exterior painter's tape in the corners during a wash in the mean time. Note - even an Laf and Monza will eventually get sticky plastic!
Is the water issue obvious enough that when the hatch is simply opened and closed I would hear the movement of water ? Would appreciate a pic of where the tape has to be placed to avoid the issue. Thanks
If enough water you will hear it. Please read this thread. It contains all that is really publicly known about it including detailed procedures.
Amazing write up chaps. Thanks for all the input. I got caught in a massive rain storm bringing my car back from Service. Typical huh? Now its got the water in so this is my job for tomorrow. I just love this car though.
I've reported this twice, to two different dealers when the car has been in for service, and been told that it is like this by design, on both occasions.
All done thanks to the information kindly provided on this thread. Pretty easy to be honest. Key is to take ones time , check out the photos above as you go along, that way you will get the orientation of the red plastic clips. Not the end of the world if you snap one, they are available easily. Dont forget to remove the power lead for the centre brake light BEFORE releasing the light unit as I could see it would be possible to break the thin wire if it jumped out when you levered it free of its final plastic clip , as mine did. I use some specialist non setting body sealant I use on car restorations to seal the corner up, I am hopeful that it won't leak in again. Nice one guys.
I just noted the hatch leak in my 2017 F12, after 3 years of ownership. I hear water under the trim that covers the central brake light. I see water emerging from the seal between the central brake light trim and the rear hatch glass. I also see water emerge on the rear side of the glass, where the glass abuts the rear of the hatch. (Photos) I have a few questions for those who've already experienced the leak: Is it typical to have water emerge from both ends of the glass? How far does the water travel within the hatch? Does the repair require only the application of sealant beneath the brake light trim to the metal exterior of the hatch - or does it require disassembly of the interior trim? Does anyone have a video of the repair? Thanks! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Mine did not leak at the lower edge. I would hope not as the window is boned into the frame. I expect that your water is coming from the brake light area and running down the outside glass edge and dropping out as in your photo. If you follow the guide earlier in the post all will be obvious when you get on with it. It was not complex to carry out. Sealing the corners of the brake light aperture will stop the water ingress. Good luck
Thanks very much, Andrew. Do you know why some people have removed interior trim to address the issue? Service advisor at the dealer where I bought the car told me same today - after she spoke to a technician - that they have to disassemble interior trim. She could not tell me why, though, as she had never seen the problem in her short tenure. Indeed my leak does not appear to penetrate inside the car. All I have is the trickling sound under the 3rd brake light trim when I lift the hatch - and the water that drains out from the trim/glass border days after the last water exposure.
As suggested, read the thread. It details every part of the fix including the cause and the remediation including the procedure to remove the interior trim. Not being snub. You will gain a lot more knowledge. The trickling sound is exactly the tell for this condition common to every F12. Simple fix.
Glad to have been directed to this thread. Crazy that the trim lets in that much water and that the third brake light sensor freaking out would have such knock on effects. I'm checking out a 2015 F12b and will be checking the trim to see if it's been remedied.
Since this thread was bumped, bought my 2017 F12 used it leaked water. No "slushing" water sounds when opening/closing however opening the trunk after rain or from washing car noted water leaking into trunk. They addressed the 3rd brake light and problem (for now) solved. Seems even on the last year of production for the car the issue was still present.
How has this repair held up? I'm signing for a 2015 F12 over the weekend and am planning on checking on some of these issues above and beyond what is supposed to be covered by the 101 point inspection.
