W115-water in trunk

[luketmarx]

I’m pretty sure the water in my trunk is from leaky tail light seals. I’ve been looking around for new seals but can’t find any. Do I just need to resort to RTV?

1976 w115 240D, larger tail light w/ridges

[Mike D]

If you are referring to the gaskets for the bucket mountings I believe they are available, pricey as heck, but available.

A reasonable substitute can be fashioned from weather stripping tape or closed cell sheeting. Hardware or craft supply houses are good sources.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-10mm-x-13-x19-EVA-foam-sheet-in-black-/123540810504

https://www.amazon.com/Rubber-Weatherseal-Stick-Weather-Strip/dp/B000BQMMVI

[luketmarx]

Thanks Mike I do believe I’ll give that a try

[JMela]

I see w115 RS taillight seal on ebay for $40.

Figure that takes care of half your problem?

[Idle]

Unless your seals have large cracks in them they can be renewed with a generous application of glycerin. You can usually pick this up at drug stores since its' main use today seems to be for skin care.

This is not a voodoo fix of my own. Mercedes would recommend this back then. So would Porsche. The great killer of this treatment was the invention in the early 70's of Armor-All which was easier to apply, easier to find, and easier to see quick results.

Don't be upset if it takes a lot. Dry seals will soak this stuff up but when you are finished the seals will again be pliable. And they should be watertight.

[meltedpanda]

I made mine and they worked very well

[cleeves]

It could also be the trunk seal or the back window seal.

I believe that all (3) of mine - tail lights, trunk seal, and back window seal - leaked when I bought the car. Once after driving in a rainstorm the whole inside of a taillight had 1 inch of water sitting in it. So I've replaced the tail light seals and trunk seal with genuine Mercedes Benz parts. Oh and the windshield seal, too. And I did and damn good job of it. But the trunk still leaks a bit, and I've found it to be the back window seal. It's not the original, but it's probably 20 years old and needs some of that glycerin on it. Looks fine to the eye, too. Even the brand new MB windshield seal leaks when driving in heavy rain (but it doesn't while the car is sitting). After having a 1986 BMW E24 for 5 years (2009-2014) with zero leaks on all the original seals, I've just come to the consensus that the poor seals on these cars are probably just a product of how old the design is. This is mid 1960's technology here; things came a long way by 1986.

I just keep the car covered and will continue to replace parts to no end and have a car that looks ridiculous from modern standards, because well, life is absurd anyway, so I prefer to revel in it.

Henry

[ScooterABC]

Make sure trunk is not locked. Get in trunk with flashlight. Have friend start spraying car with water. Watch for where water comes in. My guess would be rear windshield seal, then tail lights.

[danonly55]

You might also check under your rear seat, look for rusty springs and standing water. My w116 had this, it was the window seal.