Lake under driver's seat? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

FineOlBenz · #1 02-17-2007, 05:08 PM

Where's the leak? I have about an inch of water under the driver's seat. Passenger's side is dry. Oh yeah it's a 123 turbo which has had the windows up not down.

carnut · #2 02-17-2007, 05:21 PM

If it has a sun roof then the left front drain hose is probably plugged up. Another possibility is the cowl drain just below the hood hinges. You will see a hole a little larger than a pencil that allows trapped water to exit just behind the front tires on either side. Debris ends up there stopping water drainage or rust to form holes that allow rain water to enter the car and collect on the low spot on the floor. Open the sun roof, look at all four corners, you'll see the drain holes, blow compressed air thru them to verify the air exits just in front of the doors, or with a small funnel in each hole slowly pour water in and watch it drain on the ground or interior! 3rd possibility is of course the windshield surrounding rubber seal.

FineOlBenz · #3 02-18-2007, 06:01 PM

Thanks for the response. I coached my wife in the clearing of the drains as I'm recovering from surgery. She did great until I asked her to close the sun roof again and she gave me that look and the sun roof was not moving. Oh yeah hit the right switch and it works fine. The rains are coming back soon and I'll have another look for "Lake 123"

What part of the Central Valley are you carnut?

DubMutant · #4 02-18-2007, 07:27 PM

and I cleaned all the drains thoroughly. I still had a swimming pool in there. I opened the drain gaskets in order to let all the water flow out for awhile and parked it facing down hill when it reined. it helped a little.
After immense frustration, I took it to a repair facility and 500 dollars later, I was told that the hole was behind the firewall, under the fuse box and above the drain hose in the tire well. It was big and gross. Fortunately, I have no more leak.

Mojool · #5 02-18-2007, 09:55 PM

what's the best way to fixing a leaky windshield/rear glass gasket?
someone at the local 'verks' told me that a simple fix is taking a putty knife and some high pressure air and slowly work the knife around the rubber whilst blowing air to clean out any debris. after that apply some sort of sealant (i forgot what they said but it def. wasn't silicone)...anyone?

FineOlBenz · #6 02-19-2007, 10:32 AM

Was that hole in the pic visable from under the hood, or under the cowling vent?

carnut · #7 02-19-2007, 01:48 PM

Did your wife find any of the drains plugged? Stockton area.

FineOlBenz · #8 02-19-2007, 08:58 PM

We took the air hose to all the vents including the ones on the bottoms of the doors on the driver's side. I found some of the body sealant decaying under the hood hinges. So I removed the springs and cleaned out the area well and sprayed vinegar on the rusted area to deaden the rust. Resealed the decayed body sealant and replaced the springs. Rain is due by tomorrow night and I may add the sprinkler to the roof too. The car had been sitting through the last rains and had not been driven.

Carnut let me know if you interested in a morning of fun at PicknPull. I'm in Sonora so I sometimes hit Modesto and Stockton PicknPulls. I need another cowling for the left side. Mine was broken when I got the car. I have another cowling in black but this one is the chrome finish (early 82).

carnut · #9 02-20-2007, 12:07 PM

I work every week end so it would be on a wed, thurs. I sold the 300CD last week, so looking for parts after the fact would drive me crazy! There is a 300CD there now with tan interior and euro bumpers!

#10 02-20-2007, 12:39 PM

This is often caused by drains under the hood being stopped up. There are two on each side in the area where the hood hinge folds into. Then there is another near the master cylinder and behind the battery.

I know this sounds crazy, but if these drains are stopped up it will result in water in the rear floor board or front seat area.

Good luck,

vahe · #11 02-20-2007, 07:43 PM

I get water under front seat, not much but enough to wet the carpet. Where are the drains located under the hood support springs, I looked there and can not see any, can anyone describe its location in relation to the spring, a photo would be appreciated.

Vahe
240D/77 350K

#12 02-21-2007, 07:03 AM

In the hood hinge pockets at the rear the wheel well rolls over and meets the firewall. There is a crease, or maybe two I don't remember, in the wheel well metal that allow water to run out of that area onto the ground.

Then there is an opening in the metal that is vertical between the hinge pocket and the underhood area. It will always be clear, but if the previously described drains are NOT, water will drain through this one to an area under the master cylinder and the battery on the other side.

Hope this helps,

DubMutant · #13 02-21-2007, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FineOlBenz

Was that hole in the pic visable from under the hood, or under the cowling vent?

I searched for a month and saw nothing, however, I didnt know what to look for. I guess after a little scraping aroung, the body guy found this soft area by the drain hole. I surmise that the drain was simply pouring straight into the inside of the car onto the floor from behind the firewall. This was in the driver side also. The puddle would always form in the back seat area before filling up and spreading to the front seat area.

FineOlBenz · #14 02-22-2007, 10:27 PM

Ok found at least one problem. It was door #3 the windshield seal. After a good morning's rain I checked the floor and sure enough it was wet again. It seemed to be coming from the transmisson hump area. It must be flowing down from the windshield and becoming the snake river under the dash. I can see a small stream looking from the outside in at the lower corner of the windshield seal. I took the air hose and brought in the windstorm and sure enough water traced up the glass. I have a new windshield rubber in the closet and a new windshield is always nice to look through.