1972 250 Cpe water leaks?

[bunsy86]

Hi. I've just joined with an odd, customized '72 250 coupe. It was modified and built by a guy in San Francisco. I live in NH and we're getting ready to take it out.

When I got it, we were told the rear windshield gasket needed to be replaced -- that was why we had water leak in the trunk. Got the gasket off ebay, then vehicle sat in garage over winter. When we got around to thinking about getting it on the road, took car & gasket to Window World. They pulled the rear window out but it turned out we were sent a gasket for the 250 sedan, not the 250 coupe, so we had to order the correct gasket from Mercedes.

After getting teh gasket & window back in, there was still a leak coming into the right side of the trunk. Took it back to Window World. They checked it out -- said the leak wasn't from the rear but from the stripes on the pagoda roof. .

Washing the car today, notice water in not only the trunk, but also the front passenger foot area.

Has anyone had this problem? Is it the window gaskets? Got any ideas on how to fix the leak?

[Pooka]

The water in the foot area is likely from the front windshield rubber leaking. They are bad about that as they shrink over the years and seem to pull away from the top first. This is really bad when the leak is on the drivers side and there is a strong rain storm since the water can leak down into the horn button and short out the horn, causing it to start blowing.

Then you get to run out and disconnect your battery in a pouring down rain storm!

The leak in the trunk usually comes from the taillight gaskets drying up and leaking. This is an easy and cheap fix, but be careful removing the old gaskets as they can be stuck down pretty hard.

If you have a sunroof make sure the drains are cleaned out. There might be a drain at the base of your windshield that is clogged up and causing water to overflow into the foot area. I cannot remember if 115's do this, but 123 and 124 cars sure do.

[250 Coupe]

There is a gasket under the roof rails and the rails are pop-riveted on. I think that was the source of water in both my '76 280C and '71 250C. Along with the bad rear window seal.

Michael