We have had quite a bit of rain lately. I am trying to figure out how rain water is getting into the trunk even when not being driven. I even have water sloshing in the 'support frame' on the underside of the trunk hood.

The seal seems to be OK.

My thought is that the drains are clogged. I have done a search, but can't find a drain diagram for my 300SD.

Any insight for those with more experience?

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Big Fred

(RIP Sept '10) 83 300SD Turbo Diesel (aka "Rocky")
(RIP April '10 - Accident) 86 Chevy M1009 CUCV (Blazer) - 6.2L Diesel (aka "Ogre")

A common entry point in the 126 is the rear window seal. Look above the tank for rust or other evidence that it has been happening for some time.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Is water all over the trunk or just in one of the wheel wells? I had water in my right wheel well and it turned out that the drain channel from the fuel filler had come loose. Took a bit of muscle to get it back into place but overall and easy fix.


Either way.....just don't do what Hatt did

I'm a moron.

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

Check your tail light seals

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

Thanks for the replies.

I will take a look at the taillight seals, anything in particular I should be looking for?

It is wet all over the trunk, not just in one place. There is a small area of rust under the rear window, but how did it get into the support frame on the underside of the trunk hood?

__________________
Big Fred

(RIP Sept '10) 83 300SD Turbo Diesel (aka "Rocky")
(RIP April '10 - Accident) 86 Chevy M1009 CUCV (Blazer) - 6.2L Diesel (aka "Ogre")

The rear window seal can leak which allows water to soak the bottom of the package shelf behind the rear seats which then drips down on to that support frame. I have some surface rust there too. If the tail light is leaking the lower side areas of the trunk will fill up, but it will not be wet all over.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

There are many, many threads to search on this topic.


http://www.peachparts.com/shopforu...d.php?t=164755

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforu...d.php?t=164697

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforu...ad.php?t=64843


Water infiltration could be from more than one source. Perhaps the Windshield seals and the sunroof drains, for example.

Here is a list of candidates to inspect in order of likelyhood:
1) Open window (Close the window)
2) Rear windshield seal (Remove and Replace (R & R) OEM seal)
3) Front windshield seal (R & R)
4) Sunroof drains (Use Heavy duty weed-eater string to chase the drains)
5) Bonnet(Hood) Hinge drain channels (ditto #4)
6) Firewall breach under Battery Tray (patch holes, paint)
7) Door weatherseal (R & R)
8) Antenna mount (R & R)
9) Hole in floorpan (eliminate H2O source, patch holes, paint)
10) Tail-light Seals?? (I suppose it is possible with repaired bodies. Frankly, I've never experienced a tail-light leak)

After the repair get the interior as dry as possible. Sponge, Wet-dry Vac and place moisture absorbers in trunk and cab. I suggest you remove the plastic trunk liners and dry out underneath to preclude or inhibit rust, mildew, and that Godawful moldy smell. Try Ecosorb for baaaad stink removal.

Motor on
__________________

__________________
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

None of those links work, and many of the leak sources in the list would not allow water to end up in the trunk.

Reading the original post again I believe it is the rear window seal. They can look fine, but still be old and stiff. If the seal is still flexable you can buy some special window sealant to put in the between the glass and rubber.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

If it has a sunroof make sure the drain hoses are attached, clear of debris and exit just behind the rear tires. You can see the drain hoses in the trunk on either side of the fuel tank. you can open the roof and blow compressed air thru the drain holes and with a buddy's help see if the're plugged, off, etc. I've even used a small funnel in the holes and poured a small amount of water into them to follow the draining.

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81 300CD (sold) 1972 280 SEL 4.5 (sold) 1966 250 S 4 spd (sold) 1974 450 SL (sold) 86 BMW 325ES (sold), 1973 280C (sold) 1988 300 SE.

x2 if it is in the wheel well. Dry out the trunk and close it then spray water at the taillight. Open the trunk and see if you see a stream of water leaking down from under the access panel.

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Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT

With your symptoms the rear window seal is the most likely, and fairly common.....

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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

these same symptoms were pointed out to me by the PO on my recent 240 5 speed purchase, and there is silicone on the window seal... I'm sure there is rust and damage in the window seal area due to this poor remedy... I have a glass man that will get me a new seal and assist me repairing the sil and reinstalling new glass.
pretty much if water is getting into the trunk lid structure, there aren't many places for it to come from. don't discount plain condensation causing moisture that is in the car from god only knows where causing a high humidity situation to collect on the cold uninsulated trunk lid...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

My trunk filled up through a cracked rear right lens and probably the seal.
PO had parked it outside all summer and the drains were plugged and it had filled to the top of the spare!

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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily