Should clean out door be airtight?

[boothill]

Seems I never grow weary of newbie questions, hope you folks don't get tired of answering them. I'm still trying to figure out why my chimney is weeping water in one area on the outside about a foot above the thimble. When you dab the mortar with a paper towel it seems pretty clear and thin, like water, but does have a smell of woodsmoke. I noticed while investigating that my cleanout door (which is outdoors) was whistling from drawing air in. Could this be causing condensation up the chimny? Does it need to be airtight? Thanks

 

[fossil]

Dunno if that's the cause (or part of the cause, or has anything to do whatever) of the condensation/weeping you're seeing, but yes, that cleanout door shut be sealed tightly. Rick

 

[boothill]

I duct taped the crack around the door, is this o.k.

 

[BrotherBart]

Ought to work. If it comes off, put the tape on the frame and slam the door shut on it making a gasket.