Did you clean the drain holes under the hood hinges?

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1983 CD
1958 Studebaker Packard (being resuscitated)

yes. there was about a quarter inch thick layer of dead leaves and pine needles.

i am now wondering if removing all that was enough. i'll have to the do the garden hose test soon to check.

where is the water supposed to drain? does the water go behind the fender? i wish i could remove the fender or something to see

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo

There could be some rot in one of the nooks and crannies in the firewall that the water is coming in through. That's where my leak is, not immediately noticible until I pulled all of the carpets out one day to clean them and while they were out I was cleaning the engine compartment and noticed a decent stream of water coming into the passenger footwell.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

You need to find the leak before the floor rusts. It will be a constant hassle/threat until you stop the leak. If you can't stop the leak, remove the carpet and any padding so that it doesn't hold moisture & cause rust. Treat with a can of POR 15 (small size) if there is any rust now.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

That's where mine was leaking. Hole just under the battery tray. Took almost a year to find it. Had the carpets out (to dry) and drove through a car wash. Water came in the front passenger side and flowed to the back. I did drill a 1/4" hole to let the water out until I found the problem. It worked. Carpet covers the hole and this thread reminds me I can close that hole now. There was a drain plug but it wasn't at the lowest point and it was closed.

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Charles
1983 300D, bought new, 215k+ miles, donated to Purple Hearts veterans charity but I have parts for sale: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-cars-sale/296386-fs-1-owner-83-mb-300d-turbo-rebuild-parts.html

Drilling a hole in the very well protected floor pan introduces a foothold for rust to start. I would not do that.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

My thought exactly. I would be very hesitant to introduce bare metal (that has been sealed up nicely) to the elements.

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

NO, NO, NO! Do not use silicone caulking for sealing against automotive paint/metal. It will cause corrosion. Your local MB dealer or online has the correct product to use. Its MB part# A 001 989 31 20 Replace the seal, use a real MB seal, and then finish it off with the MB sealant. It will not leak again. Installing a seal is not difficult just tedious and having a friend or two to help makes it much better. That and a little Dawn detergent and water in a spray bottle for lubrication. Pops right in. RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

I found a soft rubber tube coming down by the back of the wheel well (W123 84 300D) that I assume is the end of the drain that originates in the rear of the engine compartment. I could be wrong, as maybe it comes from further up, like the the sunroof or the windshield channel. Wherever, I found it was plugged with debris and mud. I poked that stuff, as I am sure it was holding back water.

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85 300D 75K Anthracite Grey 0-60 in 13 seconds **For Sale**
84 300D 333K Black (The Velveteen Rabbit) 0-60 in 14 seconds
00 Toyota Sienna 208K (Sold)
15 Subaru Outback 43K
11 Subaru Outback 67K
98 Ford Taurus 100K (Gertie - Was Grandma's - drove it to church and shopping - really) Daughter's car now.
30 Model A Ford 2 Door Sedan (Sold) 0-60 in . . . Never reached 60