Water leak in trunk of 240D

[Flop]

Hey gang.

I've been getting water in my trunk when it rains. I've read hundreds of posts about this apparently common problem. I even found a shop that would install a new rear window seal for me and keep my current glass. Before I do that though, I want to make sure that the rear window seal is the culprit. I've poured buckets of water all over the rear window with the trunk open and no water enters the trunk, so am I missing something?

To clean the water out of the trunk today (because of yesterday's rain storm), I removed the 2 plastic wheel well inserts and the wall against the gas tank. When I removed the top screws from the wall, water came pouring out of the screw holes. I noticed that the screw holes are in a part of the body that looks like a metal bowl with drain plugs. What are these? Why does water go there? I can only assume the water is not meant to just sit there, so where is supposed to be going?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

[biobenz240d]

window seal the most likely culprit. Along sloww leak. Check the tube coming from the filler area over flow, not sure if it goes through the trunk or not ,just a thought

[stcbenz83]

What about the trunk seal?

[Flyin4now]

I have a water leak in my '85 300D as well. I haven't traced it down yet, but I have seen water running down the trunk wall(?) that's up against the fuel tank. After reading your post, now I'm wondering about what you described with the top two screws. I'm goning to try to locate leak source today. I'll let ya know what I find.

[benzforlife]

it could also be your antenna mast, if this is the case u will find water sitting in the left wheel well, u can fix it by using caulk or putting a new grommet on it.

[The Gears]

I have had this water problem in a 240D and in my 300D turbo. Did a re @ re on the rear window of the 240 with no improvement to the leak.
The rear corner posts contain cabin vents. There are drains from this area that plug up with dirt. As there is no way in to clean the drains the water sits in a pocket and over time will rust allowing water into the trunk area just forward of the two side pockets. Inspection of the body bottom above the axles will show the drains (this I am told by a MB service Mgr.) I have never found them there.
Just found them at the rear of the back tires in the body frame. Had to use a wire brush to clear the dirt away. They are rubber and go up.

[Flop]

I've seen posts that say that the drains under the hood hinges and behind the battery can get clogged and cause water in the rear footwells. Why the rear ones?

I still haven't figured out how water got into those bowls I described under the rear window (the area where the upper screws of the fuel tank wall attaches). These "bowls" have drain plugs, so is water expected there? I'm completely confused by all these water drains.

[DrewGerhan]

Just this past weekend I repaired a hole in the drivers side footwell in my trunk. It was about 6" by 6". Pretty sad. I rivited a piece of stainless sheet metal over it then Bondo-ed the edges and bottom the rattle can painted it. Doesn't look that bad...

[charmalu]

which side is wet? might be the gasket around the rear lights, the radio
antenna. the window seal has caused me problems. had the seal replaced
twice in 10 yrs. the dry out and shrink. mine leaked more on the left side.
if you replace the seal, you can remove the window your self. just cut
the rubber push out the glass. and check for rust along the bottom.
I had a small spot rusted through. used Por 15 and took care of it.
how about the runk gasket?
charlie