Lake Daimler strikes again - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

The Warden · #1 11-01-2002, 07:08 PM

Well, I thought I had cured that problem...

A few weeks ago, I went and cleaned out the area that I believed the hood drains were located. There was a lot of garbage; dirt, leaves, etc in there, and I got just about all of it out. I was looking in the immediate area of each hood hinge. Is this the right place on a 123? Does anyone by chance have a picture of the specific spots pointed out?

I ask 'cause, after affirming that the area was still clean today, I took a garden hose and sprayed off the entire car. After being finished, I found water in the right-hand rear footwell. Fortunately, I had thought to pull the rear carpeting beforehand. The left side was nice and dry, and I believe both front footwells are dry as well. Fortunately, it was a puddle and not a true lake, but I"m still concerned about what would happen were I to wash the car, or worse, if I get into a rainstorm.

Where else can I look? Was I looking in the right place to begin with? I'm trying to make Lake Daimler a dry lake.

Not only would it be nice to be able to wash the car (mainly due to this problem, I've only washed the car once since I got it in July, and the poor thing's dirty), but more importantly, I'm concerned about upcoming rains...

Thanks in advance!

clarkb7306 · #2 11-01-2002, 07:19 PM

Mine was below the battery tray (you have to take it out, and was a rusted hole beside the drain. Filled it with expanding foam and treated the area with rust inhibitor and it's dry as a bone. Good luck

thebern · #3 11-02-2002, 07:35 AM

Warden,
'Search' will turn up many posts on this topic. Drains under the hood are symetrical, right below the hood springs and under the brake booster and battery. Clean out the rubber 'cups' in the front wheelwells. Check all firewall grommets and seal them if they are not tight around their respective cable etc. Sunroof drains are another leak spot that I know nothing about. Rear and front glass can also be a source.

thebern

#4 11-02-2002, 10:46 AM

Cleaning the drains below the hood hinges is only half the job.

If they are plugged the water builds up and runs under the hole in the bottom of the vertical sheet metal just inboard from the hood hinge. I then runs down to an are between the firewall and wheel well. There is another drain in that area on each side under the master cylinder and the battery.

Keep working at it and you will get it straightened out.

Good luck,

JimSmith · #5 11-02-2002, 10:54 AM

IF you have a sunroof there are drains in the "A" and "C" pillars that can be clogged with junk from parking under trees with the roof open too. If these are clogged water will find another path, and often it is into the car rather than to the ground without passing through the interior. Good luck, Jim

Ridge · #6 11-02-2002, 08:47 PM

Warden,

Get a flash light and at night shine it back in the hinge area that you've just cleaned out. Pay close attention to the sheet metal on the inside wall of the hinge area. If junk was left in there too long, I've seen holes rusted all the way through. Rust stopper and "Bondo" will cure the hole, if it's there.

Ben
www.reproduce100s.com

Fredmburgess · #7 11-06-2002, 08:05 AM

Warden,

Be sure you really check the windshield and rear window seals. When I got my '84 300 right side carpets would get wet during rainstorms / car wash. Turned out to be the lower corners of the windshield/rear glass seals. They had dried out and pulled away from the metal. Water ran down the sheet metal behind the upholstery panels and under the rear seat so it was hard to trace.

Rear window installation from factory includes a whole bunch of clay type sealant (under the rubber seal) that also dries out.

Pull the carpets, etc., then use a garden hose and work your way UP the car to find the leaks. If you hose the whole thing it's harder to pinpoint the source.

I bought both seals from Fastlane, had a car window guy R/R both. (Also put in a new windshield..what a difference over the original (with 360,000 miles of pitting!).

Drove through some huge T'storms the next day and no leaks!

F

Motorhead · #8 04-10-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredmburgess

Warden,

Be sure you really check the windshield and rear window seals. When I got my '84 300 right side carpets would get wet during rainstorms / car wash. Turned out to be the lower corners of the windshield/rear glass seals. They had dried out and pulled away from the metal. Water ran down the sheet metal behind the upholstery panels and under the rear seat so it was hard to trace.

Rear window installation from factory includes a whole bunch of clay type sealant (under the rubber seal) that also dries out.

Pull the carpets, etc., then use a garden hose and work your way UP the car to find the leaks. If you hose the whole thing it's harder to pinpoint the source.

I bought both seals from Fastlane, had a car window guy R/R both. (Also put in a new windshield..what a difference over the original (with 360,000 miles of pitting!).

Drove through some huge T'storms the next day and no leaks!

F

The rear window seal is what was allowing water into my 240

Cr from Texas · #9 04-10-2011, 01:50 PM

Yes, to all of the above. The low spot is the rear so you think the front is dry. Water actually flows under the carpet to the back so the front feels dry.

Among the parts I have for sell is a complete set for a 123 of all 4 door seals and both front and rear glass seals. Still sealed in the shipping box from Miller's. Also a set of side window wipers.

toomany MBZ · #10 04-10-2011, 04:48 PM

I'll second (or third) to pull the battery and have a look.

pwjeep · #11 04-10-2011, 06:23 PM

Got a cracked weather seal for the windshield or backlight?

Try plumbers putty. It's soft (when new), very cheap, and can be pressed into the cracks like tumbable plastisol that is used for body sealant.

I used it on the backlight rubber weather seal wedge shaped cracks of my 240D to stop the leaks into the trunk. Pull off a chunk and press it in the void. I also used it around the rear tail light where it was leaking as well. I removed the rear tail light and rolled it into a "snake" and pressed it in place. Next I installed the tail light assembly. I removed the excess with a plastic putty knife. Yes, it's not terribly attractive, but gosh... it does work!

If it seals water leaks around your home's sink for years, then it's got to be good. I'm not sure how long it will last on the exterior of the car... but for a quickie fix... it's great!