leaking trunk 500 SEC HELP!
 

I hear that the trunks leaked on the 500 SEC and my 84 does. it creates a puddle on the passenger side and it soaked my camera... how do I stop this and where does the water come from and don't say rain LOL

No experience with your particular year/model, but most leaks come from a bad rear window seal, either the rubber or rust-out in the lip/channel at the lower edge or corners, or, and this is far more likely, the rear light housing gaskets, where the plastic assembly joins the body.
If it's the light housing, just unbolt the whole thing, clean it all up, and use silicone sealant around the edges where the gasket is (or was). Unlikely, but it could be a torn or worn out trunk seal rubber, easily checked visually.
Hard to do in winter, but someone inside the trunk with another spraying water all over outside might reveal the leak, if it's coming from the window glass seal or the rubber lid seal.

The rear window is a good possibility. If the glass is showing delamination and you have rust on the body piece in the trunk immediately below the rear window, that's your culprit. Mine leaks. I know.

exactly
 

This is what I have been reading, it happens when the car is stationary so i figure its a window seal, but I will check trunk seal first, the car is in great shape and I can't take a chance on ruining it.

I would not rule out the antenna seal (if the coupe has the antenna on the back like the sedan). I had a 1985 380SE sedan. When it would rain, the trunk and believe it or not, the right rear passenger floor would pool up with water. Upon someones recommendation, I replaced the antenna seal and the water never came back. My floor was as dry as a desert in the middle of summer. Trunk was dry as well. I have another W126 now and I am getting a little water in the trunk, but again, I think its the antenna seal, because there is NO rust around the rear window.

holy
 

Ya my 420 SEL was bad for that it was nuts, also the roof seal and bad drain holes. I should change my seal on my roof and the antenna. the ass end of that car is the same as the SEL. This car is pimo and I don't want to frig it up.
I read the DIY on the rear window seal repair and I am not looking forward to that. I had a ***** of a time changing my antenna seal last time, any tips?

Well I am not much of a DIY'er - cant seem to do anything on my own, but I was able to easily change the antenna on my 85' 380SE by myself. Thats not saying I will be able to do it easy on my current W126. :o

I guess it varies from car to car.

Usually from the rear window area, especially if rust below the rear window, or the seal around the tail light.

Secondarily the trunk seal.

Unfortunately it is a problem endemic to these W126 cars, most of which are now 20 years old or older.

You can check everything except the truck seal fairly easily by looking inside with a flashlight while someone carefully applies water from a hose to various parts on the outside. You have to look very carefully. Water can come in through a microscopic opening that you can't even see. In my experience on other brands of cars it is usually the tail light area. You might have to remove the carpeting etc to get a good view.

Do you think these Benzes leak and rust more than comparable (bear with me) American cars? Or are they just on the road longer and therefore end up leaking/rusting just because of their extreme age? I've never owned an American car that was more than 12-13 years old, so I have no personal experience there.

American vs. MB
 

I can actually answer this question with some authority, as I use to drive 60s - 70s 80s full size GMs. My 1980 Coupe De Ville Cadillac had it's windscreen slide down 1cm and it leaked as I drove in rain, My 88 Brouham Deligance Cadillac, never leaked a drop neither did my 77 Pontiac Catalina never leaked 500,000 Kms on it. My 64 Pontiac Convertible leaked because the rear window was bad. I believe American cars do leak less but really this is a w126 issue as my 420 SEL leaked like a son of a *****.
I have the car under a $$$$ car cover for the winter, it's never been winter driven in it's 24 yrs!!

So who wants to help me change the rear window seal??

Dee8go needs to change his a well so maybe you guys can make it a joint venture. My 420 SEL leaked thru the roof onto the passenger floor as well until JohnHef repaired it. Turned out to be a rivet in the roof.

I am distracted by you boobs photo LOL. I am up for any thing. I am trying to get my friend Tom to buy a SEC or SL.
As for Dee8go I would be glad to help.

The trunk leak was traced from the rear Star and chrome section .i reinstalled these with automotive silcon sealant .as yet no leaks at all.
mak

ah
 

See I changed boot lids and the issue still persisted, I have a feeling its the window or trunk seal... Or Al Queda? we should get 20 SEL and SEC owners together and have a seal changing event and BBQ... err when it's hotter.