Help me out guys. I have water getting into the trunk but the seal looks good and I am having a bit of a problem blaming it on the rear window seal. Am just now getting everything dry to run a wash down test. Any ideas on how to properly test this situation?

__________________
Brant
83 300SD 334k
77 300D sold
95 1500CK
92 Exploder
65 190D sold

Brantslyer,

The problem of locating the leak can be challenging. If your car is nearly twenty years old, why do you believe the rear window seal is not the culprit? Most of my cars, when they reached the 15 year age mark had visibly deteriorated seal rubber there and around the trunk and doors. I have patched things using sealants and it works for a year or two, then you have to do it again. A new seal would probably have been smarter.

The other issue, if you have a sunroof, is the potential to clog the sunroof drains. The sunroof has no real seal, it is designed to leak into a channel that directs the water down some tubes in each corner of the roof support structure (the "a" and "c" pillars, I believe they are called).

The sunroof opening across the roof is bigger than the interior opening by a few inches in each direction. The geometry of the opening is arranged to have the water on the roof that gets into the roof opening run down into the channels outboard, in front of and behind the closed roof panel. From there it runs down those tubes, which are prone to being clogged by pine needles, leaves, pollen strings and other debris from trees. My kids have been known to put things in there too. The two front tubes can be checked visually then you can run a stiff wire down them and check with a hose that they are clear. The rear ones are much harder to find and clear, but you can check them with a hose too. Anyway, these drains get clogged you can have water pooling in certain areas until it finds another path to get to the pavement. That path can be through the trunk, although my first episode caused water in the rear footwell of my 1974 240D. Once I cleared the drains though, I never had water there again.

I also learned to clear the trunk drains regularly. These are in the bottom of the wells on each side of the trunk. I took to poking a Bic pen or phillips head screwdriver through them (rubber inserts with a small hole) to clear them and open the hole up. They clog with whatever dirt and junk may find its way into the trunk. If they are clear the water that leaks into the trunk atleast does not stay there.

Good Luck, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Thanks for the reply Jim.
The window gasket appears pliable so I figured it was ok. We'll see soon just about dry now. I did find the drain holes and have been cleaning them out, that darn working thing is killing me for time.

Greg

__________________
Brant
83 300SD 334k
77 300D sold
95 1500CK
92 Exploder
65 190D sold

Greg,

The corners of my window gaskets seem to be the first parts to show signs of aging. They get little cracks in them and eventually start to break off in chunks there. I have not noted problems on the straight sections. Good luck, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Consider the possibility that water is getting around the tail light lens as a third possibility. One side on my 300D leaks enough to get water droplets inside - has blown the brake light bulb once. Waiting for the time to figure out how it comes apart and develop a fix.

Ken300D

I have the same problem and have not addressed it yet. I found a post that Larry Bible had done once that mentioned his continuing problem with water on the floor in the back seat area. He eventually traced it to the engine compartment under the hood springs. Seems that drains were plugged way up there. Hopefully between all these options, we'll find the culprit.

Don

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

Thanks for the reply Don.
Today we see if its the window or a drain. We Will leave the carpet out . The way the weather is shaping up I could just go for a drive.

Greg

__________________
Brant
83 300SD 334k
77 300D sold
95 1500CK
92 Exploder
65 190D sold

The water test ought to be conclusive.

Find leaks is listed as one of my hobbies as it always happens to me in all the cars I had. Perhaps I have this affinity to attract water as I do trouble?

Well, the likely place to start would be to open the trunk lid, and start flowing a steady amount of water through the rubber seals. A waering can would be ideal if the garden hose is too far away. Not to strong water that would splash everywhere and confuse the whole test.

You may also flow the water from the top but I doubt if water leaks from the top of the back w/screen ranks high in probabilities.

Observe any build up of water in the trunk area. They start as small traces which would then accumalte and form a small but significant pool. At which time you would know by now the flow of water and how it enters the prohibited area.

You may also want to do the same on both tail lights as the tail lights has:
1. those plastic lenses which may allow water in too;
2. weak rubber seals and gaskets;
3. a slight crack somewhere either in the rubber seal or len which would allow water to penentrate.

Let us know how much water used ...

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

I have some water in my 116 that I have been trying to figure out. I climbed in the trunk with a light and had my son run water from the garden hose.

On the passenger side, near the front corner, some water enters. It looks like the trunk seal is just a little tired, like it does not stand up tight against the lid like it should. I think the antenna seal leaks a little also. Last week I was replacing a tail light bulb and noticed a streak of water below the driver's side tail light. I ordered a tail light seal yesterday ($55 dollars, ouch!). Some time I will order the antenna seal and the trunk seal. Has anybody replaced a tail light seal?

My 2 cents.
Doug V.

__________________
1980 Mercedes 300 SD, 215,000miles
2001 F-350 Powerstroke turbodiesel, Crewcab, 4x4, 81,000 miles
1993 Chevy Suburban, 185,000 miles

My daughter is the passenger of my 116 every day for the ride to school (my son is the driver). Today she reported that the carpet is wet under her feet (we had almost 6" of rain in 24 hours the other day). The front passenger has ever been wet since we bought the car, although the drivers's floor and both rear floors have been wet. I think we have the driver's floor and the rear floors dried up also, at least for now.

Has anybody found a drain at the fire wall, on the passenger side? I found a drain at the fire wall on the driver's side, but have never found one on the passenger side.

Thanks for your time.
Doug Vazquez

__________________
1980 Mercedes 300 SD, 215,000miles
2001 F-350 Powerstroke turbodiesel, Crewcab, 4x4, 81,000 miles
1993 Chevy Suburban, 185,000 miles