Hi Everyone,
I am new to this site and look forward to spending lots of time learning tricks of the trade here :>)
I have a 1996 Mercedes C280(4dr). I was having problems, battery kept going dead after parking it for a week or so. I am not working right now so taking it to a dealer or mechanic is not possible. So! I disconnected the red wire from the terminal after parking it.
Recently after I park it for a few days I find alot of condensation on the "innerside" of the rear window and alot of condesation in the trunk. Everything gets soaked.Even my spare tire gets wet!
If anyone can offer any "insight' on what may be causing this and how I can fix it myself(handy with tools) please, please, please HELP.

Thank You Kindly,
Quincelady

Yeah, I experienced the same problem. I was told that there is a drain plug somewhere in the trunk that may be plugged and causing the condensation... I know the more experienced ones in this forum will be able shed some light.

les

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1980 300sd - Ivory, Tobacco Interior 130,000 miles
2003 Expedition

Where a calculator on the ENIAC is equipped with 18,000 vacuum tubes and weighs 30 tons, computers in the future may have only 1,000 vacuum tubes and weigh only 1.5 tons. - Popular Mechanics, 1949

I can only tell you my experience with my Supra which may or may not apply. My Supra had the EXACT same symptoms you describe. The problem in my case was the gaskets around the tail light assemblies. They had decayed and were leaking. I could see some faint telltail "stain" where the water was leaking in. I took it all apart, cleaned a dried everything, RTV'd the gaskets to the assembly and then put silicone grease on the side that mates to the car. Tightened the bolts and no more leak!!

MP

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

Check to make sure the gasket for the trunk is clean and not torn. They usually don't leak even in bad shape UNLESS there is something either under the lip or hanging across the seal, in which case water will drip into the trunk. Rotten leaves, grass clippings, twigs, etc tend to build up in there, and when they fill all the space between the deck lid and the body, water gets in.

Also, make sure the water drain channel down the sides is clear, no piles of pine needles, leaves, etc. If water cannot drain down and out, it will work it's way past the seal eventually, causing a wet trunk.

I've been told that there is also a weather seal around the rear window that can cause trouble, but my damp trunk on the W124 was too much crud under the gasket. Cleaned it all out and it stays dry, now!

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Hi Everyone,
Thank you for your quick responses(input) . Unfortunately, I have a very sick family member in the hospital. I will work on the gasket first chance I get and I will get back to you all with the "outcome". Let's think positive :>)!
Thanks again, Blessings to all,
Quincelady

Hello again!
I checked the gasket in the trunk area. It's practically new. Another thing I noticed this weekend, there was condensation in the inside of the FRONT Window. Shessssssh! What can it be? Please help if you have any idea/thanks again .
Blesssings,
Melinda
PS If anyone knows of a good/inexpensive mechanic in the NY area( I live in The Bronx) can you please let me know ...thanks!