This is on an '81 300CD.

I've searched the threads and found a couple of posts on this problem, but haven't found a solution posted.

We have had a lot of rain recently; approximately 14" this month. I opened the trunk lid a few days ago and found water spilling out of the edge of the lid. I have since found the same thing on 3 more occasions after even light rains. I'm speaking of the area that is at the highest point when open or over the license plate when closed. It lays in the channel there and spills out when the lid is opened.

Obviously there is a leak, but I can't see from where or why it ends up where it does.

Anybody else have this problem and found a solution? I think it must be the seal, but when I opened the lid right after a rain the seal was dry where it meets the lid and wet in the channel where it is installed.

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Mike

2000 SL500 22,000 miles
1981 300CD 188,000 miles
1979 450 SEL 266,000 miles
2005 Cadillac CTS 25,000 miles

Mike123,

It seems to me the gasket around the trunk opening in the car is likely clogged. This gasket is supposed to make leaking into the trunk a much more difficult path than merely spilling down the sides of the trunk and then onto the ground, so it has a pretty generous drainage groove. Debris from trees typically gets washed into this groove and will clog it up, forcing the water to find another path. It will also adversely affect the fit of the gasket against the trunk lid. Good luck and I hope this helps. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Might be coming in where the badges attach. The have prongs that stick through with sheet metal nuts on the back to hold the badge up against the car. If they are a little loose, in comes the water.

Or perhaps the gasket is old and shrinking, allowing water to capillary around on the lower sides, on the vertical sections.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!