Water in passenger side...back seat more than front at foot rest.......

[Love my 83 300D]

Hey guys,

Any ideas as to why after every rain or snow that I get puddles in the foot rest of the passenger side back seat and less in the front?

Just bought the car and spoke to guy on the phone at a parts place that said there maybe some drainage holes clogged from under the hood..... does it sound familiar? Where are these drainage devices if it does sound correct.

Any other ideas as to what it could be?

All responses appreciated.

[thebern]

Your phone call answer was partially correct. Use the 'search' function to find a cornucopia of info on this and most of your other questions and concerns.
Welcome aboard.

thebern

[bill murrow]

Originally Posted by Love my 83 300D

Hey guys,

Any ideas as to why after every rain or snow that I get puddles in the foot rest of the passenger side back seat and less in the front?

Just bought the car and spoke to guy on the phone at a parts place that said there maybe some drainage holes clogged from under the hood..... does it sound familiar? Where are these drainage devices if it does sound correct.

Any other ideas as to what it could be?

All responses appreciated.

I went through this as well and searched for a while before I found the answer you're looking for. I don't mind telling you that the drains that he was speaking of are located down underneath of where your hood hinges pivot--on the body side of the hinges not on the hood side--- very difficult to get to but must be cleaned out. If there is rust down there it could be leaking through the rust holes.

The other spot it could be from is under the vents that are located in front of the windshield near the back of the hood. they empty out under the hood through the rubber boots on the firewall. Pour some water in them with the hood up and you'll see where they empty out.

Pour water down through the drains by the hood hinges as well to test them.

Water leaks are a bear. Took me the better part of a day pouring and cleaning out drains to fix my leaks. Pain in the neck but it's got to be done.

The reason that the water collected where it did is because that is the lowest point in the floorpan.
Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Bill

[miamimike]

Originally Posted by Love my 83 300D

Hey guys,

Any ideas as to why after every rain or snow that I get puddles in the foot rest of the passenger side back seat and less in the front?

Just bought the car and spoke to guy on the phone at a parts place that said there maybe some drainage holes clogged from under the hood..... does it sound familiar? Where are these drainage devices if it does sound correct.

Any other ideas as to what it could be?

All responses appreciated.

I had exactly the SAME problem in the Exact same car a few years ago.. What happened was 1) lift up the rear carpet--and remove the rubber drain

plug so the water drains out. Under the battery tray--over the years, leaking battery acid had eaten a hole thru the firewall and allowed water to leak in. I fixed mine with clear marine Goop silicone--cost $2. You can check it out if this is the cause by opening the hood and placing a water hose in this area--make sure the area in the back seat is dry and then hose this area down good for about 5 minutes and if this is the culprit--water will soon start flowing under the seat into the passenger side area. Hope this helps--Mike

[bill murrow]

Originally Posted by miamimike

I had exactly the SAME problem in the Exact same car a few years ago.. What happened was 1) lift up the rear carpet--and remove the rubber drain

plug so the water drains out. Under the battery tray--over the years, leaking battery acid had eaten a hole thru the firewall and allowed water to leak in. I fixed mine with clear marine Goop silicone--cost $2. You can check it out if this is the cause by opening the hood and placing a water hose in this area--make sure the area in the back seat is dry and then hose this area down good for about 5 minutes and if this is the culprit--water will soon start flowing under the seat into the passenger side area. Hope this helps--Mike

Thats a good place for leaks. Forgot about that one.

However, never use silicone on metal. It will promote rust.

Ever seen a windshield that was siliconed? I have and there was rust every place the old silicone had been applied. The windshield gasket was the culprit but the PO siliconed it instead.

For any rusty spots that need filling, I'd use POR 15. Do a search and you'll find out about it.

Cheers,

Bill

[miamimike]

Originally Posted by bill murrow

Thats a good place for leaks. Forgot about that one.

However, never use silicone on metal. It will promote rust.

Ever seen a windshield that was siliconed? I have and there was rust every place the old silicone had been applied. The windshield gasket was the culprit but the PO siliconed it instead.

For any rusty spots that need filling, I'd use POR 15. Do a search and you'll find out about it.

Cheers,

Bill

Bill-Thanks for that info--I have since sold that car--never did leak again--but will keep what you said in mind about a fix for future problems--Mike

[bill murrow]

Originally Posted by miamimike

Bill-Thanks for that info--I have since sold that car--never did leak again--but will keep what you said in mind about a fix for future problems--Mike

Mike- The POR 15 stuff really works good. I have even used it on the inside of motorcycle gas tanks that have begun seeping around the seams. Tough stuff if gas doesn't affect it.

So far as silicone goes, a friend of mine who happens to have not only worked for MB for 15 years but also now has a glass place just happened to stop by when I was working on the windshield of an '80 td I had and pointed out to me the rust was caused by the silicone being applied. Some kind of reaction with the metal I guess. He said never use silicone on metal. Glass places used to use silicone until they discovered the problems it causes. Nowadays no glass shop uses the silicone method.

Just didn't want to see anybody lose their car due to rust from a faulty repair.

Cheers,

Bill

[Carrameow]

the hood hinges. I have run into and solved this problem on 3 W123's. What you have to do is get a snake--you can work just as easily from the spot that the drains holes connect into, which is the front tire well on each side, Either that or use a coat hanger and slide it through several time. These drain holes may be hard to find the first time. Maybe someone can post a picture or diagram. On the passenger side, follow the gulley where the hood hinge is about four inches forward , there is a hole in the side of the gulley. Right next to that gulley is the actual drain hole. Leaves and stuff get in there over the years...