Leaky trunk
 

After not finding anything that helped me in the search engine, I decided to ask here. Since the wet season started here in Oregon (like it ever really ends), my trunk has been retaining water. The trunk seal looks fine, and the grommit around the trunk antenna mast looks good. There's a tiny hint of water that looks to be dripping down from the lower corners of the rear window, but it isn't enough to provide the amount of water I have.

My only thought now is; does the lettering on the trunk lid have some sort of seal where the mounting tabs pass through the trunk lid? I ask mainly because this is where I get a shower of water every time I open the trunk. It has to be coming in that way, But I wanted to ask so that I don't overlook something. This is my first Benz, so I am still learning.

Thanks everyone! :cool:

Is the water on the side with the fuel tank filler neck? if it is it's most likely to be the Fuel Filler Neck Seal.

The emblems have a plastic grommet that hold the emblem to the car. I doubt that is where the water is comming in. Have you cleared the drains in the wells behind the wheels. There is a rubber grommet that pokes out under the car that is the drain. They tend to collect dirt and grime and then clog up. Try gently poking a screwdriver up into the grommets from the outside. You can also remove the plastic covers that cover the wells and clean the wells out.

On the W126 and probably the W123 as well the sill below the rear window rots draining water into the trunk.

Lay down in the trunk with a flashlight, look up, look for rust... Also lift the window seal up with a screwdriver a bit, see if you find any.


I just bought a new rear sill for my W126 for $80, I'm going to get it welded in eventualy.

Well, the biggest place I see water is on the under side of the trunk lid. When I open it, it rains down from the area where the emblems poke through to the inside. That's why I wondered about that.

The well on the passenger's side is holding a bit of water, so I will try opening the drain on them both.

As far as rust or rot, there is no signs of it from the outside, but I will check. This car came from the desert only a year ago, so I'd be surprised if there is anything.

Thanks! :D:cool:


PS: I have a bunch of paperwork on it, and the car came from San Diego, lived in Vegas for a while, then went to Idaho where my father-in-law picked it up about 15 years ago. I am the third owner. :D I love finding the documented history on my cars. :cool:

look on the leading edge of the trunk lid for rust on the seam. if water is collecting in the lid itself, this could be the case, then again, if it's warm where you are, water in the trunk would condense and saturate the lid with water...
just do what I did... put your daughter in the trunk with a good flashlight, and soak down the entire car one section at a time until you see water... and hope she doesn't respond with EVERYWHERE EVERYWHERE EVERYWHERE... GET ME OUT OF HERE>>>>>
I found water leaking around the filler neck and down the sunroof cable...

Being in the desert, I'd bet the rear window seal has dry rotted. Sand also likes to clog up the drains.

Hatterusguy.. You mention the rear deck. On my 123 I can see it drip from there right by where the passenger side trunk hinge mounts, but have not had a chance to pull the sill off the interior to see how the water gets behind there. Can you shed some light on this? I can't see how it would be leaking around the rear window seal because there is absolutely no sign of rust around it. I was then thinking it might have something to do with the sunroof drains but, like I said, I haven't had a chance to pull the rear sill cover off.

rear window seal....open trunk feel under speaker deck, is it wet or rusty.

I have this exact same problem on both of my benz's infact one of them has a bad enough leak that both of the rear small "pockets" are filled with water..