GL Class (X166) 2013-2015 after facelift became GLS (X166)

Water in rear hatch area

Old Oct 3, 2019 | 09:12 AM
  #1  
hambone1983's Avatar
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From: Massachusetts
2015 GL550
Water in rear hatch area

I've got a 2015 GL550 and noticed last week and yesterday after some heavy rain a nice little dribble of water inside the back glass. Assuming there is an issue with the glass seal? what else could be?
Also the tire compartment felt a little bit moist towards the bumper. Car has never been in any collisions - so going to rip out the carpet in the back hatch and see where the water could be coming from.
Any advice or known issues i should watch out for? is there a specific area to seal or something?
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Old Oct 3, 2019 | 12:23 PM
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chassis's Avatar
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2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Areas to check:

- perimeter dynamic seal between liftgate and body
- perimeter static seal around the rear glass
- rear wiper shaft/axle
- roof mounted shark fin antenna
- faulty/loose liftgate latch mechanism
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Old Oct 3, 2019 | 08:32 PM
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hambone1983's Avatar
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From: Massachusetts
2015 GL550
thanks for the pointers - will check this weekend.
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Old Jan 22, 2022 | 02:14 PM
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GL-550
GL-Class X166 Roof drain schematic?

We had water in our GL550 as well. A lot of water was in the floor. It corroded some wiring, brake switch, and shorted out a wheel sensor (pass rear). They had to remove the interior and trace all the wiring. The shop found water coming in by the master cylinder and they said they fixed that, but I’m not familiar enough with the drains for the sunroof gutters to know whether the X166 has drain tubes like other models. Apparently the ML does, but I can’t find anything on the X166/GL-class. Does anyone have any schematics or anything? It looks like the gutter drains just lead back to a channel that drains outbound of the rear hatch seal, but it’s hard to say without taking all the B/C pillar trim out and looking for tubing.
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Old Jan 22, 2022 | 02:53 PM
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MB GL450
Had the same issue with my 2015 GL 450. Noticed dribbles inside on the back glass. Problem was traced to the external (shark finn) antenna. It was leaking at the mount point. Replacement had to be ordered, painted and installed. Luckily mine occurred while I had the extended warranty
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Old Jan 7, 2023 | 06:29 PM
  #6  
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e500
Same leak here

Originally Posted by chassis
Areas to check:

- perimeter dynamic seal between liftgate and body
- perimeter static seal around the rear glass
- rear wiper shaft/axle
- roof mounted shark fin antenna
- faulty/loose liftgate latch mechanism
So I have.a 2017 gls went to the carwash noise water leaking down the back glass and a damp carpet on the floor near the back hatch. Sounds like the antenna or seal. I don't know which yet
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Old Jan 7, 2023 | 11:50 PM
  #7  
rapidoxidation's Avatar
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From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
Recall

It seems Mercedes has issued a recall for this problem, at least on the ML line. Plug your in here:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
and see if yours is on the list. Mine is but so far there isn't an issue with it. They don't have a remedy yet but at least they have admitted there's a problem.
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