CindyM

What is the container/bucket under the passenger side hood vent grille? My 2006, SL500 R230 has a container/bucket type part that is directly under the passenger side hood vent grille. I bought car used and the bucket was filled with water, plus every time it rains it fills up. I can not see any drain holes in the bottom. Is the car missing something or perhaps I need to dig deeper to find some kind of drain?

Rudeney

This is the cabin air intake. There is a drain in there. It's likely clogged. The drain exits right being the right side (USA passenger) of the engine.

CindyM

Any ideas of how to unclog the drain? It appears to have a bar of sorts in the bottom of this bucket, but no signs of where it may drain. I am thinking I may have to remove/or try to remove this bucket container that keeps filling up. Do you know of any on line videos or instructions? Appreciate any information.

Rudeney

I'll have to go look at mine when I get back out tomorrow. As I said, the drain comes out of the panel right behind the right side of the engine. Look for a small tube protruding through a hole there.

CindyM

Hi Rodney, thanks for the advice, I was able to unblock the container under the passenger hood vent grille. It had caked black road dirt and what looked like dead bugs. I used very hot water, a little dawn dish soap and a long bottle brush. It is amazing at how blocked it was, now it pours right through. You saved be $200. dollars, the local repair shop said they will have to remove the container to fix the clog which will be hour to hour and a half to perform job.

Rudeney

Glad it's fixed! I'd add checking drains to your regular maintenance/cleaning schedule. The water collector (bad of the windshield, where the wipers are) also has drains that need to be clear.

CindyM

Excellent idea, glad you mentioned it. My 2000 S430 was totaled by the insurance company after water found its way in at the windshield and ran down into the belly of the car and messed up the computer systems.


To date, I've had 3 Mercedes totaled by insurance due to water, the first one I mention above was totaled in 2013 from rain, 1994 SL320, and 2008 R320 diesel van were totaled from a July 1, 2016 freak flash flood.




I have one Mercedes now, a 2006 r230 SL500 purchased used in August with some of the flood money. It has 93k miles. Firemist red exterior with cream & tan interior.

Rudeney

It seems all modern MBZ models have this problem. I've just learned to keep these drains clear. I check them when washing the cars. One thing I found on my C240 that was really neglected was the seal around the trunk opening. There were years of "tree fallout" lodged between the seal and the rear window.