Passenger side interior flooding after heavy rain?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 435
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From: Mizzou
1998 C43 AMG
Passenger side interior flooding after heavy rain?
Anyone else have something similar happen? (I searched and didn't find any threads)
Happened this past weekend after a torrential downpour here in the Ozarks. Car was parked and buttoned up tight but came back to find the passenger-side foot well soaked. My passenger was kind enough to locate the origin of the leak and it appears to be coming from underneath the glove box area.
I haven't gone back in to check the actual source, but I was underneath there once to replace my blower motor regulator and change the cabin filter. She said the padding was soaked.
Probably not relevant but we did have a 2-hour drive with the ac running before parking the car before the storm. Thought I should mention this since it may have been condensation? (although it would have been a ishtload of condensation!)
Anyone experience something similar? Given the age of our cars, I'm inclined to think I've got a plugged drain vent somewhere???
Happened this past weekend after a torrential downpour here in the Ozarks. Car was parked and buttoned up tight but came back to find the passenger-side foot well soaked. My passenger was kind enough to locate the origin of the leak and it appears to be coming from underneath the glove box area.
I haven't gone back in to check the actual source, but I was underneath there once to replace my blower motor regulator and change the cabin filter. She said the padding was soaked.
Probably not relevant but we did have a 2-hour drive with the ac running before parking the car before the storm. Thought I should mention this since it may have been condensation? (although it would have been a ishtload of condensation!)
Anyone experience something similar? Given the age of our cars, I'm inclined to think I've got a plugged drain vent somewhere???
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Mizzou
1998 C43 AMG
Thanks! Like I said, I was leaning towards the same issue since this is pretty common. I'll try to post a pic of said vents to make sure we are talking about the same thing...
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Definitely its a blocked water vent. It happened with my 240T when I passed it in a new and very powerful car washer. Water comes in throught the blower and electrics don't go very well with humidity. Passenger footwell was VERY wet. You need to remove the grills under the windscreen and press a rubber vent down here somewhere to evacuate the old leaves, twigs and other natural crap. A good flush with water and all will be well again. Recommend to check this from time to time specially if your car is parked regularly outside under trees, shrubs etc. 
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Mizzou
1998 C43 AMG
Thanks guys, on a somewhat related note, how does one get the hood of the C43 to extend higher, i.e. open upwards of 90 degrees?? This should provide easier access to said vents, right?
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ask yor friend to tap the hinge at the same time you do on your side and the hood will rise to the sky
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Easy, takes all of 3 seconds...
Open the hood. Go to the driver's side back hinge and you will see a little lever on the inside of the hinge. Pull it towards the inside and lift gently the hood further (max 0.5cm). Go to the passenger side and do the same on the left. When the stop opens push the hood up full 90°. Getting it down you start on the driver's side to unlatch the security, then pull the hood down.
I'll get some photos tomorrow morning and post them on here
Open the hood. Go to the driver's side back hinge and you will see a little lever on the inside of the hinge. Pull it towards the inside and lift gently the hood further (max 0.5cm). Go to the passenger side and do the same on the left. When the stop opens push the hood up full 90°. Getting it down you start on the driver's side to unlatch the security, then pull the hood down.
I'll get some photos tomorrow morning and post them on here
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From: Rochester, MN
sounds like airplane
it can also be the rubber hose that drains that stuff... if it were kicked or bumped such that it is now draining into the car instead of out the bottom. It's up under the console where the passengers left foot reaches if they were to stretch way out.
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Promised some photos 
Look at little lever on the inner side of the driver's side hinge. Move in and lift the hood around 1/2 inch max
Go to the other side and do the same operation as previous instruction
Push hood up to 90°
Closing is the reverse operation, but you need to unlatch first and pass the safety lock position on the driver's side
Look at little lever on the inner side of the driver's side hinge. Move in and lift the hood around 1/2 inch max
Go to the other side and do the same operation as previous instruction
Push hood up to 90°
Closing is the reverse operation, but you need to unlatch first and pass the safety lock position on the driver's side
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From: San Francisco
1998 C43 Amg
Wow same problem happend to me a week ago. I took my car to a high pressure car wash and then after noticed water leaking by the glove box. I took out the heating sheild and had water leaking by the air conditing and heater fan. My cabin filter was soaked when I took it out. Im replacing it tmrw. Probably my drain where my vent is clogged.
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From: West Palm Beach, FL
'99 C43, '88 560SL
I know this thread is old but this happened to me yesterday, heavy heavy rains here in florida and I come back to my car with the passenger carpet under 2 inches of water! All water has been vacuumed out seats and carpet are removed from car and drying. will be cleaning those vents today.
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
I know this thread is old but this happened to me yesterday, heavy heavy rains here in florida and I come back to my car with the passenger carpet under 2 inches of water! All water has been vacuumed out seats and carpet are removed from car and drying. will be cleaning those vents today.
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From: West Palm Beach, FL
'99 C43, '88 560SL
Yeah, all interior is removed and drying out. Found what clogged my otherwise clean system, a piece of foam from by the windshield broke off and clogged the drain and there was so much water falling it backed up into the ac. Little bit disappointed tbh
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
I put my hand in there and empty a bucket of water inside slowly to flush all the gunk out. Needs to be done at least once a year.if you 36 or 43 sit parked under trees and shrubs. Leaves and twigs make havoc inside and also in the fan. Otherwise if stored inside a garage a check once in awhile is sufficient IMHO.
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...
Once you clean the small drain put a hose in the tank which takes in water and let in run for a bit. This will ensure everything gets flushed, but keep an eye on it. You should see the water flowing out under the passenger side area. Also, remove the carpeting and let it dry out for a few days to prevent mold.
GL!
Last edited by RPB; Jun 26, 2018 at 07:48 PM.
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From: West Palm Beach, FL
'99 C43, '88 560SL
pretty disapointed that it was a part of the car breaking down that caused this. dont think there was anything I could have done to prevent my car from becoming a motorized swimming pool
Last edited by brad_c43; Jun 26, 2018 at 09:31 PM.
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Undoubtedly a design flaw! The hole clogs way too easily. It had happened on my car numerous times; I seem to catch it in time. Like the original biodegradable harness. 
The car is solid though compared to the junk they manufacture these days. These are minor discrepancies in the grand scheme of things.
I missed the post about your car breaking down. Do you know what caused that to happen? I have family in the Miramar area and they tell me the rain has been relentless lately. I don’t know how you guys do it w/ that ridiculous humidity.. I shed about 5-10lbs when I visit for a week or so. I guess you get used to it. I hope everything works out for you!
The car is solid though compared to the junk they manufacture these days. These are minor discrepancies in the grand scheme of things.I missed the post about your car breaking down. Do you know what caused that to happen? I have family in the Miramar area and they tell me the rain has been relentless lately. I don’t know how you guys do it w/ that ridiculous humidity.. I shed about 5-10lbs when I visit for a week or so. I guess you get used to it. I hope everything works out for you!
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 384
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From: West Palm Beach, FL
'99 C43, '88 560SL
Undoubtedly a design flaw! The hole clogs way too easily. It had happened on my car numerous times; I seem to catch it in time. Like the original biodegradable harness. The car is solid though compared to the junk they manufacture these days. These are minor discrepancies in the grand scheme of things.
I missed the post about your car breaking down. Do you know what caused that to happen? I have family in the Miramar area and they tell me the rain has been relentless lately. I don’t know how you guys do it w/ that ridiculous humidity.. I shed about 5-10lbs when I visit for a week or so. I guess you get used to it. I hope everything works out for you!
The car is solid though compared to the junk they manufacture these days. These are minor discrepancies in the grand scheme of things.I missed the post about your car breaking down. Do you know what caused that to happen? I have family in the Miramar area and they tell me the rain has been relentless lately. I don’t know how you guys do it w/ that ridiculous humidity.. I shed about 5-10lbs when I visit for a week or so. I guess you get used to it. I hope everything works out for you!
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Trust me, I know the feeling a bit too well!! I’m going to cut the flap off that drain hole tom. The flap is so tight against the opening it can barely let anything out. I’m interested to see the results without it.
Last edited by RPB; Jun 26, 2018 at 11:35 PM.
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From: Bolingbrook Illinois
1999 C43 Amg
I did this to my first c43, never had a problem after I did it. That flap gets clogged fast, should of been bigger if anything.
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