C-Class (W204) 2008 - 2014: C180K, C200K, C230, C280, C300, C350, C200CDI, C220CDI, C320CDI

Dead insects inside the tailights

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old May 8, 2024 | 09:41 PM
  #1  
thegolffather's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 52
Likes: 9
From: Guam USA
C250, RRS HSE, BMW X1, ND Miata, 1973 Clubman GT
Dead insects inside the tailights

How hard would it be to take out the tail lights and remove the dead insects inside. They are found in both left and right tail lights. From experience removing the tail lights sometimes cause leaks into the trunk. Right now this car has no leaks at all.
Reply
Old May 8, 2024 | 10:56 PM
  #2  
cvx5832's Avatar
Super Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 764
Likes: 171
From: Walnut Creek, CA
325Ci, 325Cic, C300
Hafa Adai. Do it. It's super easy and really reinforces their promo videos from when the W204 came out that these cars were meant to be taken apart. The gasket is 20 bucks for the pair, takes 4 nuts and you don't even have to remove the liner - just peel them back. The gasket is a known weak point anyway, and even in my mild weather leaked at year 16. You can also peel the liner back and with a flashlight you can check if the gasket has started to leak.

You can see where the gasket failed in this picture. Both sides were leaking.




Fastener location for reference


Gasket
Reply
Old May 9, 2024 | 01:56 AM
  #3  
thegolffather's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 52
Likes: 9
From: Guam USA
C250, RRS HSE, BMW X1, ND Miata, 1973 Clubman GT
Awesome thanks I will order the gasket first. Do you know a place that sells them online and hopefully they ship to Guam

Last edited by thegolffather; May 9, 2024 at 01:59 AM.
Reply
Old May 9, 2024 | 06:04 PM
  #4  
TimC300's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 3,687
Likes: 1,107
From: MA Coast
W204 2010 C300 4matic Sport M272
what about just removing the bulb carrier and trying to suck them out with a shop vac. If the bugs are stuck in there stick a tiny thin brush in there and loosen them up then suck them out.
Reply
Old May 9, 2024 | 08:30 PM
  #5  
cvx5832's Avatar
Super Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 764
Likes: 171
From: Walnut Creek, CA
325Ci, 325Cic, C300
Originally Posted by thegolffather
Awesome thanks I will order the gasket first. Do you know a place that sells them online and hopefully they ship to Guam
What’s your VIN? If these are the gaskets for your specific options and you have family close enough to 94534, I’ll give you my extra set and they can mail it. Ordered from two vendors and forgot to return one, and I’ve missed the return window.
Reply
Old May 10, 2024 | 01:39 AM
  #6  
thegolffather's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 52
Likes: 9
From: Guam USA
C250, RRS HSE, BMW X1, ND Miata, 1973 Clubman GT
WDDGF4HB4DA841612, that would be nice my sons live on SD and SF or Hawaii and is that close enough? I can pay for them even shipping if you like.
Reply
Old May 10, 2024 | 03:34 AM
  #7  
streborx's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,151
Likes: 1,765
From: Colorado
G550
Those fireflys were your emergency backup taillights, you know.
Reply
Old May 10, 2024 | 01:19 PM
  #8  
cvx5832's Avatar
Super Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 764
Likes: 171
From: Walnut Creek, CA
325Ci, 325Cic, C300
Originally Posted by thegolffather
WDDGF4HB4DA841612, that would be nice my sons live on SD and SF or Hawaii and is that close enough? I can pay for them even shipping if you like.
Doesn't seem like a match, unfortunately. That said, the gaskets are dirt cheap and any of your sons can order these - https://www.mbdirectparts.com/oem-pa...QtODI2LTAxLTkx

Good luck!

Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 10, 2024 | 09:52 PM
  #9  
thegolffather's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 52
Likes: 9
From: Guam USA
C250, RRS HSE, BMW X1, ND Miata, 1973 Clubman GT

right side

right side

left side
Reply
Old May 10, 2024 | 11:15 PM
  #10  
cvx5832's Avatar
Super Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 764
Likes: 171
From: Walnut Creek, CA
325Ci, 325Cic, C300
Dayum. That’s Guam, alright
Reply
Old May 11, 2024 | 09:21 AM
  #11  
TimC300's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 3,687
Likes: 1,107
From: MA Coast
W204 2010 C300 4matic Sport M272
I was curious what the different gaskets looks like and found a photo of one to see. I just have the regular halogen bulb tail lights. Looks like there is also a small gasket on the side (2048260391).

They arent cheap at my local MB dealer, for what they are.










I was looking around on ebay and came across a listing for aftermarket gaskets. It says the gasket is the 2048250191 gasket, but shows the other 2048260091 gasket in the photo. May just be a stock photo. May want to reach out and ask if the photo is wrong. Price is pretty cheap and im guessing they ship anywhere.







Reply
Old May 11, 2024 | 10:49 PM
  #12  
cvx5832's Avatar
Super Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 764
Likes: 171
From: Walnut Creek, CA
325Ci, 325Cic, C300
I would definitely go with whatever EPC says is for your tail light. It's not easy to see but if you look closely, the gasket has 3-4 precision incisions that match studs on the tail light to hold the gasket in place during assembly. The aftermarket may also have these, but I didn't take the chance given how cheap the gasket were from the dealership.

That separate small gasket I didn't replace since it looked more like padding vs a water ingress point.
Reply
Old May 1, 2025 | 08:08 PM
  #13  
thegolffather's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 52
Likes: 9
From: Guam USA
C250, RRS HSE, BMW X1, ND Miata, 1973 Clubman GT
Are the lights LED's? There are 3 layers on the tailights the bottom the middle and the top which level is the tail and brake light? Can I replace without removing the entire tailight?
Are the lights LED's? There are 3 layers on the taillights the bottom the middle and the top which level is the tail and brake light? Can I replace without removing the entire taillight?
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:26 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE