dgrossman

Recently purchased this car and it is GREAT, with it's AMG package it runs like a stallion. Smooth, quiet, and fast. BUT, I can't stop water leakage on the passenger side. Have cleaned out all of the drains under the hood and along the windshield. Anyone have this issue out there that has an answer?

Yidney

Water leakage where? Under the glove compartment? By the window?

dgrossman

under glove compartment. Can not see any wet spots inside glove compartment or by filters.

Rudeney

Does it do this only when it rains, or when the AC is running? If it's AC, then you have clogged evaporator drains and you'll have to get to those from underneath (they are hard to find - above the transmission).

If it's rain, then check the drains on the soft top seals - there are two of them. With the top open, look at the rubber gasket on the corner of the A-pillar where the glass meets it. There are two "funnels" molded into the rubber. The lower funnel collects any water that makes it into the channel in the main seal across the windshield. It directs water into an open rubber channel that sits against the glass. Any water in this channel would drain out above the door hinges, behind the sail panel on the door (but still outside the cabin). The upper funnel collects water coming off the soft top itself (the stitched are above the glass that is supped to act as a gutter). It directs water into a closed tube in the rubber gasket. This tube also exists above the door hinges. You can pour water (slowly) into the funnles to check that they are working properly. A squeeze bottle works well.

dgrossman

Thank you Rodney, but have done all of those things and still have water with every strong rain. Looks like will have to tear out the dash.

Rudeney

So it's definitely rain and not condensation, huh? Before tearing out the dash, I'd use a hose and see if I can find where from the outside it's coming. There really aren't many places for intrusion from the dash. I would check the water collector (the plastic pan below the wipers) to make sure its drains are clear and not disconnected.

dgrossman

Busy schedule has kept me from responding to your help, but I am pretty sure that I've identified the entry point. The water is seeping in by the passenger side outside mirror and down by the top tweeter speaker, then down the inside plastic door cover, over the lower speaker holes, and into the carpet. Looks like the pillar molding is not making a tight seal with the glass. Now what?

Rudeney

That's a very unusual leak. If it's a broken seal, then you have to replace the entire weatherstripping on the door. Good news is that the part's only about $35 MSRP. It will require removing the inner door panel and the outside mirror. If you can find the break, you might be able to use some black silicone RTV to fix it. But again, this would be a very strange leak, especially if you don't find an obvious break. Are you sure you checked the inner/lower drain on the top of the a pillar? If it were broken behind the sail panel, you'd see the same leak.

dgrossman

Sail panel? Is that the plastic cover on the pillar? The pillar rubber molding (gasket) seems a bit dry rot where it comes in contact with the door. I'm thinking of replacing it. Will be going to MB about part number.

Rudeney

The sail panel is the triangular part of the door with the tweeter speaker on the inside, and the side view mirror on the outside.

dgrossman

It seems that the sail panel is in good condition, however, the pillar molding is brittle. I packed some material behind the pillar molding in hopes of making a tighter seal between the sail panel and the pillar molding.


Someone suggested that the top itself may be the problem. So I cleaned it thoroughly with a special cleaner and then treated the top with water repellent that is specific for convertibles. Waiting for a couple of days to let the treatment dry thoroughly and then do the water test. Keeping my fingers crossed.

The wife is getting totally PO'd. Wants to trade in the car, but I love this car. Might give her my Cayman and take the 550 leak and all.

Rudeney

Are you saying that the rubber gasket that sits against the glass on the A-pillar is brittle? That was my first suspicion - that rubber gasket contains tubes that are drains for the front top seal and drip rail from the top.

dgrossman

The saga continues. I cleaned and treated the top with water repellent, and surprise; after two days of hard rain, the car is dry. Mama is happy.

Thank you for your replies.

Rudeney

You must have a leak in the canvas. The canvas is actually made with several layers (not the "three layer top" but the actual outer canvas layer itself). Waterproof coating will only last so long. You need to find the leak and seal it permanently. The water proofing(3M Scotchgard, Raggtopp, etc.) will eventually slough away and it will leak again.

shayward

Hi Rudeney. I have a lot a marine experience and I believe the tops on these cars have similar traits. I just purchased a really nice CLK 500 with 40,000 miles. When it rains the top is SATURATED. With the water being held by the material to this extent, logically it will find it's way into other places. I'll apply a water proofing that we routinely use on Sumbrella tops. When the water beads and rolls off, I suspect this will take care of most problems. If you don't do this on a boat after the factory waterproofing goes away the tops will leak like a basket. This water proofing will last at least a year.

Airmousam

I have a sunbrella bimini top on my 15 year old pontoon boat. Does not leak and have never treated it....

Rudeney

I'm a sailor, too, and these convertible tops are nothing like the Sunbrella biminis used on boats. The outer "fabric" surface is just for looks. Directly under that is a very solid layer of waterproof material. Whatever repellent you use will of course help shed moisture from the outer later, but is no substitute for a solid waterproof layer beneath that.

faran

Sorry for bumping this old thread. It was raining really bad yesterday and day before yesterday while I was driving.

As usual water on the rear driver side passenger well, just cleaned all the water with lots of old t-shirts. I tried to clean all the holes I can visually see on the windscreen. Also cleaned all debris/leaves where I can see them along the edges of bumper/bonnet and near wipers.

Question, is there some drain cowl or anything? How can I safely make sure that I have cleaned all water drains/gutters so that it won't happen again?

I think, I can see total '4' holes for water drainage from windscreen, is it right or no?

faran

Are w208 similar as w209 in that aspect?

https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...-footwell.html

Rudeney

Water in the rear is often a leak in the canvas seam. Water in the front is either a clogged drain ont he A pillar, or a bad seal on the windshield header. Where exactly is your leak?

faran

As always, thanks GURU

So I am seeing water pretty much everywhere, under the hood, right underneath brake reservoir there was water everywhere and had to clean it out using a syringe.

First water was dripping in driver side foot well where Parking break is, then underneath driver seat and all passenger foot well was soaked and full of water. I cleaned almost 1-2 gallons of water, that was all rain water.

I need to make sure it won't happen again. It has never happened to me before, but please keep in mind this is the first time I drove her in harsh rain too.

Looking forward to your input. Is there any DIY with picts or any video? I have pretty much similar situation as this guy but only on the passenger footwell area:

faran

Another question, is W208 is similar in regards to w209, mine is w209 and non-convertible:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w208...footwells.html

Does it have anything to do with W209?

faran

Here are the pictures. One with driver rear passenger foot well area with water and other where I see a lot of rain water collected.

After this incident "SRS" and 'BRAKE' lights have come on the dash, which were not there previously

Rudeney

That is likely from the water collector drains being clogged and not from the convertible top. Clean those drains!

faran

Thanks Rodney, I don't have a convertible top. I cleaned all those drain with my fingers and a plastic snake tongue. I can see, total 3 holes for drain, 2 under the wipers and one near to area where hood is separated from fender. Is that right? Anywhere else I need to clean?

How can I make sure that they are indeed clean? Also, any rain water from the hood goes directly on to cabin filter, then drain to battery area. Similarly, on driver side drain to cover on the top of fuse box/brake fluid reservoir and drain at the bottom. Correct? Because why water is staying there and not actually draining afterward.

In my first pict where I am showing brake fluid reservoir, I had to use a syringe to drain at least 2L of water. It shouldn't happen, correct?