looked underneath the car and saw no holes or gashes where water would seep through underneath the drivers seat

(doesnt happen on the passenger side)

and saw nothing....

the water runs from underneath the black rubber material beneath the carpeting of the drivers foot area all the way back to the rear seat carpeting

hasnt seeped above the carpets, but only below....

any ideas where to check?

87' e300td

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'87 E300D Turbo OM603 - ALDA/Trap Oxidizer/Center Muffler Deleted, Wastegate Adj. (13psi)

Possibles:

Climate control drain – should go via a hose through the floor pan but if the hose dies, runs along the pan to the rear seat floor area

Front window seals

Sunroof drains – should go down a tube into the front wheel well but if clogged, can overflow into the passenger compartment

Rust in the firewall under and behind the battery

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

I had the same problem. The source was the Windshield Seal. You could replace the windshield seal although I have heard it can still leak. I opted to put silicone (clear) sealant around the sides of the seal and the bottom after cleaning thoroughly of course.

If you take the tip of the silicone tub and put it between the windshield and the seal it seems to work fine.

This was my experience. hope it helps you out.

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83 TD wagon "Madge" PO's given name. 410k (150k engine)

I think if you look at your windshield gasket, you can tell if it is shot. It maybe hard and brittle. If it is, that's a good sign that you should replace it. I've also seen the sunroof drains cause the same symptoms, so those are both good suggestions.

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Mine gets water in the passanger side rear floor area. When I feel the carpet that is higher then the floor by the door it is also wet.
I am guessing the weather strip around the door is where the water is getting in.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

check the drains in the hinge pockets. keep those areas clean of leaves and debris. Iam thinking w123, I see you have a w124, probably the same.

X2 on the battery. the acid will eat a hole right through the firewall, my w126 was like that.

Using silicone for a sealant is a bad idea, will promote rust. better to use the sealant the glass shops use. I used a 3M urathane in a caulking tube.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I agree with checking all the places noted in the previous posts. In my experience a leak around the windshield occurred at the bottom corners and you could detect water on the top of the dash way back in those corners.

Also check your rain gutters on the A pillars. I had 1 missing screw and that was all it took to do exactly what you describe. Water was able to run into that screw hole and down the pillar and right under the carpet of the front footwell, and then on back to the rear footwell.

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1985 300D 231K anthracite grey w/black int.

Isn't the windshield on an '87 E300D sealed with a sealant rather than a gasket? (similar to the W126) If so, I'm doubting the windshield leak scenario.

My bet is the condensation drain for the air conditioning. It is inside the center console, right next to the drivers' foot. The tubing is wire reinforced and foam covered. Over time the foam deteriates and with your foot constantly pressing in that area, it develops cracks and leaks. Usually noticable when your a/c is dealing with high humidity.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

I'll bet the condenser hasn't been real active during the cooler months but I know ya'll have been getting a good bit of rain lately so check out this thread too.

Water Leaking onto floor mats

Main thing right now is to get the carpet dry as soon as possible ...use a Wet-Dry vac, sponges, remove mats, etc.

Good luck

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Bama1


2008 SLK 280, Firemist Red - "Hurricane"
2001 F150 Lariat 4x4, Black on Black - "Badboy"
1982 240D 4 speed survivor -"Pearl" - Donated to Vietnam Veterans
1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 -"Gertrude"

1954 model original owner - ~2.5M
Gray softtop/solid exterior/modified chassis

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

That one had the td and the misplaced apostrophe!!

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff