Wagon tail light drains!!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

10fords · #1 01-31-2010, 01:01 PM

Yesterday morning I decided to fix the nonop left rear running lite on my 84 wagon. Well, when I pulled the assembly out of the body it became clear what the problem was as about half a gallon of water poured out!

Upon further inspection I discovered a small drain hole on the bottom of the cavity for the taillite that was plugged from dirt/leaves. Same thing on the right side but it hadn't quite filled up enough yet to torch the bottom bulb. Thought I would pass this on as I have never heard about these drains and it might save someone from ruining those expensive wagon taillite assemblies.

snookwhaler · #2 01-31-2010, 01:03 PM

This happens so often... It should almost be a "sticky" or "pinned".

Good that you got the water out!

10fords · #3 01-31-2010, 01:23 PM

A few weeks ago I searched about drains as my floorboards were filled with water and I didn't see anything about the taillites. I did fix my problem though by clearing the hood hinge drains. After 12 inches of rain in 4 days it was getting rather swampy!! I should also add that the rear spare tire compartment and tool compartment on the other side had clogged drains too.

dadette123 · #4 01-31-2010, 01:29 PM

You better check your 4 sunroof drains as well.

10fords · #5 01-31-2010, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadette123

You better check your 4 sunroof drains as well.

I snaked those with a fishtape. the only ones I missed/ didn't know about were the taillite ones. Are there any others I should know about? I'm getting kinda fond of the dry, clean smell!!

okyoureabeast · #6 01-31-2010, 01:39 PM

Make sure you don't have any water underneath of the sound insulation paneling.

There was a small lake of pinkish water under mine

10fords · #7 01-31-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okyoureabeast

Make sure you don't have any water underneath of the sound insulation paneling.

There was a small lake of pinkish water under mine

Are you talking about at the firewall?

dadette123 · #8 01-31-2010, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10fords

Are there any others I should know about? I'm getting kinda fond of the dry, clean smell!!

You've covered all but the fresh air intake drains unless those have been checked as well.

Also, on the wagons, make sure the pooky in the louvered rear sunroof drains has not shrunk away from the edges. This will cause leaks into your rear wheel well areas. To test, open up the rear wheel wells and your sunroof. Pour a small amount of water towards the back in the side channel of the sunroof doing one side at a time. Watch for the water draining through the louvered channels and then check the wheel wells. Also, look for signs of rust on the lower back edges of the inside of the rear side windows. After pouring and checking for water, also check the rear seat area around the C pillar. This pillar is where the sunroof drain channel connects with the actual drain tube running the rest of the way to the back of the car.

The main drain culprits on the wagons, like the sedans, is the hood hinge areas. Keeping those clear is the best preventative maintenance you can do. Also, check under the battery tray just for good measure. Have fun.

10fords · #9 01-31-2010, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadette123

You've covered all but the fresh air intake drains unless those have been checked as well.

Also, on the wagons, make sure the pooky in the louvered rear sunroof drains has not shrunk away from the edges. This will cause leaks into your rear wheel well areas. To test, open up the rear wheel wells and your sunroof. Pour a small amount of water towards the back in the side channel of the sunroof doing one side at a time. Watch for the water draining through the louvered channels and then check the wheel wells. Also, look for signs of rust on the lower back edges of the inside of the rear side windows. After pouring and checking for water, also check the rear seat area around the C pillar. This pillar is where the sunroof drain channel connects with the actual drain tube running the rest of the way to the back of the car.

The main drain culprits on the wagons, like the sedans, is the hood hinge areas. Keeping those clear is the best preventative maintenance you can do. Also, check under the battery tray just for good measure. Have fun.

Thanks-I'll check that next. I'm not quite clear on the "pooky" thing though. If the pooky is shrunk can it be fixed? My right side rear wheelwell was filled with water and I thought it was from the drain on the bottom being clogged. Maybe the water shouldn't have gotten there in the first place if the pooky was functioning properly. Thanks-Scott

dadette123 · #10 01-31-2010, 04:02 PM

"Pooky" is the technical term (

) for the filler in each "D" pillar louvered area where the sunroof drain exits. The drain tube stops a few inches in this louvered area after exiting the roof into the pillar. The water then runs across this filler (don't know the actual name and material composition) to the bottom and exits (another area that gets clogged up is this area where the trim piece ends at the back side glass). This filler acts as a seam sealer keeping the water from entering the wheel wells at the top. It hardens and shrinks with age leading to separation from the panels allowing water to enter. Of course, you should also check your back side glass gasket. Pull up the bottom aluminum trim piece and look for rust. Hope this helps.

10fords · #11 02-01-2010, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadette123

"Pooky" is the technical term (

) for the filler in each "D" pillar louvered area where the sunroof drain exits. The drain tube stops a few inches in this louvered area after exiting the roof into the pillar. The water then runs across this filler (don't know the actual name and material composition) to the bottom and exits (another area that gets clogged up is this area where the trim piece ends at the back side glass). This filler acts as a seam sealer keeping the water from entering the wheel wells at the top. It hardens and shrinks with age leading to separation from the panels allowing water to enter. Of course, you should also check your back side glass gasket. Pull up the bottom aluminum trim piece and look for rust. Hope this helps.

Is there a way to take off that piece of trim that covers the pooky? It's darn near impossible to see in there or do anything to it.- Scott

dadette123 · #12 02-01-2010, 12:19 PM

Yes, you can take it off. It is, however, one continuous piece running from the "A" pillar all the way to the "D" pillar. As of 4 years ago, you could still get them from MB for a reasonable $. Not sure now, though.

The piece is secured on a seam by pressure. I removed mine by starting at the "A" pillar and working my way back. IT WILL BEND EASILY. I used a hard plastic wedge and gently tapped in the "hard to release" areas. If you're a junkyard aficionado take your preferred tools and practice on a wagon there before trying your own. Also, practice removing the headliner from the junkyard wagon to see how that is done and, most importantly, how the drain system works and is designed.

IMHO, the wagon rear drains have a design defect since the tube stops short and the water runs across a surface with edge seams not high enough from the channel. It is my plan to extend the drain tube down to the bottom of the louvered area to by-pass this "pookied" area.

10fords · #13 02-01-2010, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadette123

Yes, you can take it off. It is, however, one continuous piece running from the "A" pillar all the way to the "D" pillar. As of 4 years ago, you could still get them from MB for a reasonable $. Not sure now, though.

The piece is secured on a seam by pressure. I removed mine by starting at the "A" pillar and working my way back. IT WILL BEND EASILY. I used a hard plastic wedge and gently tapped in the "hard to release" areas. If you're a junkyard aficionado take your preferred tools and practice on a wagon there before trying your own. Also, practice removing the headliner from the junkyard wagon to see how that is done and, most importantly, how the drain system works and is designed.

IMHO, the wagon rear drains have a design defect since the tube stops short and the water runs across a surface with edge seams not high enough from the channel. It is my plan to extend the drain tube down to the bottom of the louvered area to by-pass this "pookied" area.

Awesome- thanks for the info. i'll practice on one of my numerous parts rigs. I wonder if you could just insert a short section of smaller diameter tubing into the existing drain at the end that would extend past the seam? I know it would be a temporary fix (unless it worked!!)

okyoureabeast · #14 02-01-2010, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10fords

Are you talking about at the firewall?

No I'm talking about at your feet under the floor mats!

JimmyL · #15 02-01-2010, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadette123

Yes, you can take it off. It is, however, one continuous piece running from the "A" pillar all the way to the "D" pillar. As of 4 years ago, you could still get them from MB for a reasonable $. Not sure now, though.

The piece is secured on a seam by pressure. I removed mine by starting at the "A" pillar and working my way back. IT WILL BEND EASILY. I used a hard plastic wedge and gently tapped in the "hard to release" areas. If you're a junkyard aficionado take your preferred tools and practice on a wagon there before trying your own. Also, practice removing the headliner from the junkyard wagon to see how that is done and, most importantly, how the drain system works and is designed.

IMHO, the wagon rear drains have a design defect since the tube stops short and the water runs across a surface with edge seams not high enough from the channel. It is my plan to extend the drain tube down to the bottom of the louvered area to by-pass this "pookied" area.

More excellent info from Rocky. We might have to keep this guy around for awhile......