Chevrolet: 1998 Malibu trunk leak, foam padding, older cars

Question
Hi

Thank you for looking at my problem.

I noticed that a while back someone else had a similiar problem. I think that we actually have the same problem from the same source.

My malibu trunk is letting in water somewhere.I have been inside it while i had someone hose down the car with a constant and fast stream of water yet i saw no water coming inside the trunk.

We lifted/forced off half of the trunk lining on the right hand side of the trunk so now I can see the bare metal of the trunk.

-the trunk lining, especially the foam padding was drenched (though im pretty sure not from the hosing but from each time i drive during a heavy/constant rainfall.)

Heres where i think the water is coming from:

on the lower righthand side of the trunk is a large (about 6 inches or so wide and a few tall and a few inches deep) rectangular VENT!

thats right, a VENT! this vent has a couple horizontal flimsy rubber flaps that i believe is allowing the water to come into the trunk.

Looking under the car, the other person helping me out saw what we believe is a hole in/around the tirewell of the right rear tire.

I think the water is being kicked up by the tire and entering through that hole, then there is enough air movement to force the water through the  flaps of the vent into my trunk.

(btw, when i discovered this, it was a month or so ago and my jack was completely rusted and my spare was literally sitting in a pool of water several inches deep.)

Do you have any suggestions as to how to fix this problem?

also, do you have any clue as to why there would be a VENT in my Trunk? especially since that same vent is ALWAYS covered 100 percent by the trunk padding (in turn covered by the trunk carpet lininig.)?

Thank you very much,

Also, if it helps, i can go take pictures of this odd vent and trunk and email them to you.  

Answer
Dave;
  well as for the vent it is a first for me- I stick with the older cars as stated in my profile, but as far as the vent it must be there for a reason - not for water to come in - it could be for fresh air or for fumes ,etc., I would seal it up if need be with some silicone and where the tire and jack go I would pop one of the plugs out so it can drain any water that gets in it. I would also get some silicone and seal up anything that looks as it is/ or was leaking and than clean and spray paint w/ trunk paint (sold at car parts stores ) so it will not rust up-it will do that quick if left un painted. and check the rear window seal as it can sneak in fron that too.OK  RW