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#1
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Condensation/Rust in 107 Spare Tire Well?
Last week I was sorting out the tire and rim situation on the 280SL, and I discovered that the spare had a very good rim and a bad tire. So I decided to use the good rim with a good tire and keep a OK rim and an OK tire as the spare. But that's not the point of this post.
When I opened the tire well cover, I found condensation on the underside of the cover. When I pulled the rim and tire out, I found some minor rust around the drain/vent hole in the bottom of the well. There is a rubber plug with four small holes in the hole in the bottom and the four holes were basically clogged. I unclogged them and hit the rust with some "fixer" and Rustoleum paint. I could find no sign of a leak. What I think happened is that the air in the well is warmed by the exhaust, and then the water in the air condenses on the underside of the cover and drips down, finding its way to the lowest point in the well. With the holes in the plug stopped up, it had no place to go and started rusting. Maybe the little holes in the plug are supposed to provide some ventilation and prevent condensation. I intend to keep an eye on it. If for some reason you have to put a wet tire it there, it is probably worth letting it air out when you get the chance. Anyway, for the 107 crowd, it might be worth pulling the spare out and taking a look ...
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Chuck Taylor Falls Church VA '66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe |
#2
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I've got a bit of rust in mine as well. I noticed the vent/drain holes and wasn't sure whether you'll get more problems from condensation with them plugged or from water splashing up in there with them open. Mine are open, FWIW.
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Craig Bethune '97 SL500, 40th anniversary edition '04 Olds Bravada (SWMBO's) '06 Lexus ES330 '89 560SL (sold) SL--Anything else is just a Mercedes. (Kudos to whoever said it first) |
#3
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I experienced the same thing on my 1980 as well. I always suspected the water in mine entered via failed tail light gaskets (stopped happening when I replaced them). The PO had apparently never checked the drain and it was completely stopped up. The spare's rim was completely destroyed (had no idea aluminum could corrode that badly) and the only thing holding the tire in was the rubbery undercoating. The steel well had rusted away completely. Repair was about $1K after parts, labor and materials so its certainly worth making sure its not clogged every once in a while...
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-- Aaron '87 MB 560SL - 45K '80 MB 450SL - 180K (Sold ) The rest: '83 BMW 533i - 286K, '04 Ford F150 - 7K, '99 Yamaha YZF-R1 - 10K |
#4
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Wow, sutekh; I feel better. Mine doesn't need anything more than a little POR and paint.
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Craig Bethune '97 SL500, 40th anniversary edition '04 Olds Bravada (SWMBO's) '06 Lexus ES330 '89 560SL (sold) SL--Anything else is just a Mercedes. (Kudos to whoever said it first) |
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