GLK-Class (X204) Produced 2008-2014

Liquid leaking through passenger side

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Oct 23, 2019 | 12:47 PM
  #1  
mpbenzoid's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
2013 GLK350 4-Matic
Liquid leaking through passenger side



This is about the 100th car wash my 2013 GLK 350 has gotten in the time I’ve had it. Today I ran it though and heard a strange drain noise after, low and behold some water leaked through the passenger side, underneath the glove box, onto the mat.

No damage. But it is odd. See these photos to get context. Anyone have any context or advice?
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2019 | 12:51 PM
  #2  
Marek_Norway's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 138
Likes: 15
From: Loen, Norway
2009 GLK 220 cdi
Are you sure it's water? Looks like coolant...
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2019 | 02:36 PM
  #3  
mpbenzoid's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
2013 GLK350 4-Matic
Originally Posted by Marek_Norway
Are you sure it's water? Looks like coolant...
It was some of the stuff from the car wash. Kwik Trip. They have seal protectant/wax/streakless dry after the wash portion.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2019 | 02:46 PM
  #4  
B737's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 379
Likes: 41
From: Jersey Shore
2012 GLK
looks like coolant to me too. Run the heat on high for an extended time see if it leaks again.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2019 | 03:12 PM
  #5  
bop11's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 861
Likes: 38
From: Philly area
350 GLK, C280
If coolant, your heater core is leaking and you will soon get a low coolant notice on the dash. If the stuff from the wash site, your drain tubes from either your sun rook or your cowl vent are plugged. Do you park outside? Are you in a place with trees that lose their leaves? These tube get plugged on occasion and need to be blown out.
But it also looks like anti-freeze to me especially above the passenger footwell.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2019 | 04:19 PM
  #6  
mpbenzoid's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
2013 GLK350 4-Matic
Originally Posted by B737
looks like coolant to me too. Run the heat on high for an extended time see if it leaks again.
I do have warranty on my engine for the next 60,000 miles, if it does leak again... should I get my engine checked? Or any advice?
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2019 | 04:24 PM
  #7  
B737's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 379
Likes: 41
From: Jersey Shore
2012 GLK
I would suggest taking it now before the slow leak becomes much worse, the system is under pressure.
prob isnt related to the engine, likely the heater core.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2019 | 04:54 PM
  #8  
mpbenzoid's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
2013 GLK350 4-Matic
Originally Posted by B737
I would suggest taking it now before the slow leak becomes much worse, the system is under pressure.
prob isnt related to the engine, likely the heater core.
just as an update, checked coolant levels and full to the brim. obviously something is amiss but will keep tabs on it for the next day or two.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

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

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 23, 2019 | 05:08 PM
  #9  
B737's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 379
Likes: 41
From: Jersey Shore
2012 GLK
Originally Posted by mpbenzoid
just as an update, checked coolant levels and full to the brim. obviously something is amiss but will keep tabs on it for the next day or two.
The few ounces that has leaked out will not make a perceptible difference in the coolant tank.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2019 | 05:19 PM
  #10  
B737's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 379
Likes: 41
From: Jersey Shore
2012 GLK
i take back what i said...
Mercedes coolant for our trucks should be blue
either you have a leak and you have the wrong coolant or its from the car wash like you said but surprisingly looks like conventional anti-freeze

Last edited by B737; Oct 24, 2019 at 10:50 AM.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2019 | 05:33 PM
  #11  
Mmr1's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 343
2013 glk 350
The coolant expansion tank is not supposed to be “ full to the brim” ever when it’s cool. There is a marker about 2” down which is the max coolant level. If it’s really full to the top and nobody filled it, the only thing I can think is trans oil or engine oil has mixed through a radiator defect, you need to figure this one out ASAP.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2019 | 05:43 PM
  #12  
Mmr1's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 343
2013 glk 350
Check engine oil color and if the green liquid has oil in it. It does look like coolant.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2019 | 06:58 PM
  #13  
SteveE400's Avatar
Super Member
10 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 725
Likes: 189
From: Chicago area
2015 E400 and 2015 GLK350
I had the exact same issue with our GLK early last summer. After going through the usual car wash (the one we used for 3 years on same car with no issues). I panicked and took car right to dealer.

They inspected and tested. Green liquid was, in fact, car wash "cheater's wax" or something, was definitely NOT from the car. Dealer suggested that we not run the A/C while going through car washes and see if it stops the issue. Haven't had any problem since.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2019 | 10:44 AM
  #14  
andreigbs's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 319
From: WI
GLK 250
The area where it leaks from looks to be the cabin filter area. Have you pulled that plastic cover off (after removing the 3 Torx screws) and taken a look at your cabin filter?

It's possible the water is getting in from behind the battery area, where there should be a plastic cover mounted to the firewall I think. You could take that cover off and see if the same water/moisture is in there.

May also be one of the body drainage channels that's full of gunk, not allowing proper drainage.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2019 | 11:12 AM
  #15  
mpbenzoid's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
2013 GLK350 4-Matic
Originally Posted by andreigbs
The area where it leaks from looks to be the cabin filter area. Have you pulled that plastic cover off (after removing the 3 Torx screws) and taken a look at your cabin filter?

It's possible the water is getting in from behind the battery area, where there should be a plastic cover mounted to the firewall I think. You could take that cover off and see if the same water/moisture is in there.

May also be one of the body drainage channels that's full of gunk, not allowing proper drainage.
This response makes the most sense so far, as I had a coolant leak in a different car before and so I’d know the tell-tale signs. I blasted the heat today to and from work and checked for any spots/drainage and there wasn’t any. I’ll check the cabin filter later.
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 10:07 PM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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