How to get to rear sunroof drain/tube connection point - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JimmyL · #1 02-19-2008, 12:38 AM

I think I need to start this off with a declarative statement: I fear the headliner!!
1985 300TD. The wagon.

Every time it rains water runs down my driver's side A-pillar, then runs to the rear floorboard. I always sop it up, but it gets under the floor insulation, and it is gonna rust my floor pan at some point.
No wonder the sunroof was caulked shut when I bought the car.
First, the drains have all been verified clear. Found a great tool at Harbor Freight for this. I have removed the front valance, mirror, sunvisors and A-pillar trim. The front drain connection is not leaking at all. But the water comes down the A-pillar, drips through onto hood latch pull and emergency brake pedal. It isn't the front windshield or any of the drains. I have seen the water flowing down the headliner to the front left A-pillar, so it is coming from the sunroof somewhere. Even small rains cause water intrusion.
So, it would seem that I need to lay eyes on that rear drain/tube connection point. Doesn't that sound reasonable at least?
Which brings me to the point of having to try and mess with the headliner without ruining it. I would love advise on that subject.
I can take the sunroof cover off, then remove the slidable sunroof portion, but can't see way back into that corner.
I'm all ears and eyes..........

Cr from Texas · #2 02-19-2008, 01:02 AM

Raise the hood and check the cavity where the hood hinge goes. Good chance it is full of crap and the drain plugged.

JimmyL · #3 02-19-2008, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cr from Texas

Raise the hood and check the cavity where the hood hinge goes. Good chance it is full of crap and the drain plugged.

Better chance I keep those vacuumed out all the time. OCD thing......

Thanks though CR, that happens often to folks.

Yall please note, I have seen the water on top of the headliner, coming from the rear direction.

Mismost · #4 02-19-2008, 10:16 AM

I have never messed with (or up) a headliner in a MB. JimmyL, don't you have a parts car you could do a little experiment on? So you would at least know HOW it is held up...then you would only be half-blind. Just a thought.

JimmyL · #5 02-19-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mismost

I have never messed with (or up) a headliner in a MB. JimmyL, don't you have a parts car you could do a little experiment on? So you would at least know HOW it is held up...then you would only be half-blind. Just a thought.

First I have the wagon/sedan difference.
Second, Scar has been coldly delivered to the local PNP.
Third, I did mess with it a little before I hauled him off, and I ripped it!

I might have to hit PNP for some practice...... Still will have the wagon/sedan difference.

Chad300tdt · #6 02-19-2008, 11:05 AM

JimmyL,

I don't know if you looked at these links already, but one shows the "bows" that hold the headliner to the roof. The edges are glued to the body.
The other link is the sunroof so you can see where you have to look for the drain in the sunroof pan.

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp?TP=1&F=123193&M=617%2E952&GA=722%2E120315&CT=F&cat=318&SID=69&SGR=030&SGN=02

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp?TP=1&F=123193&M=617%2E952&GA=722%2E120315&CT=F&cat=318&SID=78&SGR=015&SGN=01

JimmyL · #7 02-19-2008, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

JimmyL,

I don't know if you looked at these links already, but one shows the "bows" that hold the headliner to the roof. The edges are glued to the body.
The other link is the sunroof so you can see where you have to look for the drain in the sunroof pan.

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp?TP=1&F=123193&M=617%2E952&GA=722%2E120315&CT=F&cat=318&SID=69&SGR=030&SGN=02

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp?TP=1&F=123193&M=617%2E952&GA=722%2E120315&CT=F&cat=318&SID=78&SGR=015&SGN=01

Thanks for the links Chad, and for your reply "elsewhere".....

hangit · #8 02-19-2008, 01:04 PM

JimmyL;

I'll check my FSM and see if it lists your model and the drain issues.

John

Mismost · #9 02-19-2008, 03:39 PM

I ran those links and from the picture it looks like it just a simple hose stuck on a barb....or not stuck in your case.

1.What if you just opened a small neat cut in the head liner to see/feel/hook the hose back up? Then neatly sew up the cut. I know that ain't a great option, but the part about "glued around the edges"...that scared the snot outta me! I would rather have a smal neat cut as opposed to tattered edges everywhere.

2. Looking at my sunroof, manual, I can see the front drain holes. #2 is even crazier....what if you just plugged the suspect drain and hope the other three can handle the water load. It might work. If it still leaks, well, it was leaking before. Might be worth a try, use Silly Putty or similar so you can easily undo what you did! If it works, great! If it doesn't work, there is still the headliner to tear up.

Now, if you do a total trash out on the headliner.....how does a shag carpet roof sound to you?? Worked for me on a '69 Ford hippy van!

pawoSD · #10 02-19-2008, 03:42 PM

On my car I had that same leak (down drivers side A Pillar) and I thought it was the sunroof drains, cleaned them all out but they weren't even plugged. All flow well. Long time later I got a new windshield....no more leak. It was coming from the windshield seal along the top.

Chad300tdt · #11 02-19-2008, 03:44 PM

I dealt with the headliner a bit in my wagon, and the material is kind of rubberized. It doesn't take well to cuts. It takes less to trying to stitch it. Some kind of glue to seal the cut would be better. But pulling the glued edges isn't as bad as it sounds. On mine the glue was tacky but let me peel it away. Just be careful to not stretch the material too much. I think a hair dryer could be used to help soften the glue. 3M trim adhesive will glue it back (the same one used for the hood pad).

JimmyL · #12 02-20-2008, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hangit

JimmyL;

I'll check my FSM and see if it lists your model and the drain issues.

John

Sounds good.
I also appreciate the other advice above. I don't think I'm gonna cut it though. I think I will let the wife know I'm gonna borrow the garage space for a few days, pull the movable sunroof piece out, then try to visualize my options. Sunroof can be pulled in less than 15 munutes, then I guess I'll try and look back towards the drain area. I guess I'll counter punch from there. I certainly need to get a handle on this before the spring rains.....

There was a Euro wagon at PNP a couple months ago, and there are so many things now I wish I had gotten. Doh!

peter serbanica · #13 02-20-2008, 07:04 AM

If you think the drain is clogged, I would first remove 1/4 panel trim and search for sunroof tube. I believe it runs down pillar behind rear door. Then blow compressed air in the lines. First, Open sunroof fully. Then take a coffee can full of water. Pour water in track assembly, it should leak out immediately. If not, drain is clogged. No need to remove headliner. I do this for a living in New Jersey. Havn't done a wagon in a while though. You must find end of drain of course.

Chad300tdt · #14 02-20-2008, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter serbanica

If you think the drain is clogged, I would first remove 1/4 panel trim and search for sunroof tube. I believe it runs down pillar behind rear door. Then blow compressed air in the lines. First, Open sunroof fully. Then take a coffee can full of water. Pour water in track assembly, it should leak out immediately. If not, drain is clogged. No need to remove headliner. I do this for a living in New Jersey. Havn't done a wagon in a while though. You must find end of drain of course.

His drains are clear, he thinks the rubber drain tube may have come off the nipple on the sunroof pan or the nipple is rusted through and needs repair. He needs to see that connection to know how to proceed.

rs899 · #15 02-20-2008, 09:02 AM

I don't know how the headliner is attached in the wagon, but IIRC it's not hard to get it loose in the sedan. Just follow the FSM, or as noted above , practice on a cadaver. That said, be careful if you have the late solid-type headliner ( rather than the early perforated one). Those really seem to rot in the southern heat. The drain connections will be about 2" behind each rear corner of the sunroof. Good luck with that....