View Poll Results: Has you car blower motor and/or carpet been damaged by water intrusion?
Yes
17
47.22%
No
13
36.11%
Not sure
6
16.67%
Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll
Has your blower motor and/or carpet been damaged by water intrusion?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Mount Pleasant SC
R350
Has your blower motor and/or carpet been damaged by water intrusion?
In researching my damaged blower motor and wet carpet from a defective air intake box and/or drain, I found that there are many owners in the same boat as myself, with cars denied service repair while in and out of warranty. I'm within warranty.
While it may not have happened yet, it's only a matter of time.
So here's a poll. Has your blower motor and/or carpet been damaged by water intrusion?
Yes. No. Not sure.
Perhaps if we get enough people to respond, we can get MBUSA to honor their product and/or warranty.
While it may not have happened yet, it's only a matter of time.
So here's a poll. Has your blower motor and/or carpet been damaged by water intrusion?
Yes. No. Not sure.
Perhaps if we get enough people to respond, we can get MBUSA to honor their product and/or warranty.
Last edited by a930rocket; Feb 10, 2011 at 07:51 PM.
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 122
Likes: 3
From: Chicago
2006 R350
It's only a matter of Time?
I think the members after reading these threads are aware of the poor design MB came up with concerning the drain for the intake filter unit. If it hasn't happened in your R yet everyone should know how to prevent it just by making sure the drain is cleaned out when you change your cabin filters. MB has lost points, as far as I'm concerned by not covering this design flaw that they most certainly are aware of since 2006. I wonder if the new redesigned 2011 has the same drain set-up? If MB didn't change the design it would be my opinion that this has turned into a money maker for the dealers!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 1
From: Nashua, NH
2008 VW GTI
Checked again last night an the intake/drain hole is bone dry. And we've had LOTS of snow. I've never cleaned the drain.
Last year VW sent me a page that was to be added to the maintenance section of the owner's manual for my GTI. It added a "clean the sunroof drain" step to the 40k mile maintenance. Why? Because the drains were getting clogged and probably leaking water onto the front seats. Sound familiar? If MBUSA takes any action on this, it'll probably be to add a "clean the drain" step to the service document if it doesn't exist already.
Last year VW sent me a page that was to be added to the maintenance section of the owner's manual for my GTI. It added a "clean the sunroof drain" step to the 40k mile maintenance. Why? Because the drains were getting clogged and probably leaking water onto the front seats. Sound familiar? If MBUSA takes any action on this, it'll probably be to add a "clean the drain" step to the service document if it doesn't exist already.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Mount Pleasant SC
R350
Looking on-line last night, I noticed that MBUSA has added to the Maintenance Booklet to clean the air box and drain at two years or 20,000 miles starting with the 2009 model year. Isn't that a long time frame to check?
No notice of checking the 2006-2008 model air box and drain.
No notice of checking the 2006-2008 model air box and drain.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 2
From: SF
07 E63 06 CLK55 Cab 03 P-car C4S
you know my story - yes on blower being damaged, but carpet was fine as we had rubber mats. also, blower fan frozen also drained/damaged the car battery, $450 to replace...NOT covered by CPO.
PL
PL
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: indiana
2008 R320, 2009 Routan ChryWagen (gone) 1998 E430 (gone) 2007 X5 (gone) 2001 X5 (gone) 1995 M3 LUX
Does anyone have pictures of the problem? Is it a repairable item our do you have to continually keep the drain clean?
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Mount Pleasant SC
R350
135 views and 4 votes?
Well, it's obvious it's not a big problem from 135 views, 4 votes and maybe I'm late to the game with this. If nothing else, it's brought attention to the fact that the air intake box drain needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. It's not called for in the owner's manual or the maintenance booklet for the 2006-2008 R models from the maintenance booklets I've downloaded at MBUSA's website. Starting in 2009, it's required to check and clean the air box drain every 2 years or 20,000 miles. Depending where you park, inside or out, that might be long time to check. I would suggest cleanng the drain in there more often and/or what you feel comfortable with. A visual isn't enough, pull the two clips off and run water down the drain to make sure it's flowing properly.
On another note, if the rubber diaphragm isn't removed, go ahead and pull it. Our dealer said he wouldn't do it unless we asked or there was a problem. Of course it's too late then if water gets in.
Well, it's obvious it's not a big problem from 135 views, 4 votes and maybe I'm late to the game with this. If nothing else, it's brought attention to the fact that the air intake box drain needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. It's not called for in the owner's manual or the maintenance booklet for the 2006-2008 R models from the maintenance booklets I've downloaded at MBUSA's website. Starting in 2009, it's required to check and clean the air box drain every 2 years or 20,000 miles. Depending where you park, inside or out, that might be long time to check. I would suggest cleanng the drain in there more often and/or what you feel comfortable with. A visual isn't enough, pull the two clips off and run water down the drain to make sure it's flowing properly.
On another note, if the rubber diaphragm isn't removed, go ahead and pull it. Our dealer said he wouldn't do it unless we asked or there was a problem. Of course it's too late then if water gets in.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Mount Pleasant SC
R350
Look at the thread on chaging your cabin air filters from the engine compartment side. Once you've pulled the cover off, you just need to make sure there are no leaves or debris in the bottom or in the drain. There is a rubber lipped diaphragm you can pull out with your fingers or a pair of needle nose pliars.Total time to do it all is probably five minutes.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 56
Likes: 3
From: Kankakee, IL
2009 E63 AMG
I pulled the front and it's got water so I'm getting a diff. one over the weekend. I'm hoping that when I plug in the good front blower that both will turn on.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Mount Pleasant SC
R350
^^^^ Good question.
Are you buying on-line or from a dealer. I bought mine on-line and saved a bundle of $.
Should take 30-45 minutes to swap out. Pull just the panel below the blower. No need to pull the kick panel, etc.
Are you buying on-line or from a dealer. I bought mine on-line and saved a bundle of $.
Should take 30-45 minutes to swap out. Pull just the panel below the blower. No need to pull the kick panel, etc.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Canada
2012 R350 BT - Acura TL SH AWD 2011 - Mustang GT 1994
MB Mercedes-Benz Class Action Settlement Of Class Action Lawsuit Over Mercedes-Benz S-Class W220 and Mercedes-Benz CL-Class W215 Reed Valve Water Leakage
August 12, 2010
If you are a current or former owner or lessee of a 2001-2006 model year Mercedes-Benz S-Class or CL-Class vehicle, you may be entitled to benefits from a class action settlement.
I believe that MB added clearing the reed valve to the R series service schedule.
August 12, 2010
If you are a current or former owner or lessee of a 2001-2006 model year Mercedes-Benz S-Class or CL-Class vehicle, you may be entitled to benefits from a class action settlement.
I believe that MB added clearing the reed valve to the R series service schedule.
Last edited by pedra; Apr 22, 2011 at 01:02 AM. Reason: update
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Anderson Island, WA
06 R500
I was lucky to have caught mine in time last fall when I went to change out the cabin filters. The drain was plugged and there was a small amount of water in the box. Not enough to effect the blower or leak into the cabin. I will check it every oil change.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
R350
frustrated
My 2006 R350's 2nd raw fan kept coming on irregularly. The dealer said the dew point sensor is damaged from water and asked $700 to replaced it. Are you kidding me? I bought the sensor from another dealer for $90 and replaced it myself. I checked the old sensor, it was corroded from water for sure. But the "problem" continues. As I read from these posts, there may be a problem with the blower too. Good grief... This is so unfair as we get penalized for their lousy mechanical design.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Mount Pleasant SC
R350
Definately check the air box and pull the diaphragm in case it's clogged. I'm tempted to drill a hole or two in case the drain clogs up again.
My 2006 R350's 2nd raw fan kept coming on irregularly. The dealer said the dew point sensor is damaged from water and asked $700 to replaced it. Are you kidding me? I bought the sensor from another dealer for $90 and replaced it myself. I checked the old sensor, it was corroded from water for sure. But the "problem" continues. As I read from these posts, there may be a problem with the blower too. Good grief... This is so unfair as we get penalized for their lousy mechanical design.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
2007 R500, 2006 Suburban, 2000 M5, 1999 CL500, 1991 200 Turbo Quattro
YES! Just this afternoon I had my R500 towed to the dealership. It's been raining in the DC area for 4 days. Last night my husband was driving in the rain again and the car electronically flipped out - wipers stopped, dash lights came on and off, windows went down, radio stopped working, headlights went out. He got to a garage and pulled the key out and the car wouldn't stop running. Had to pull some fuses to get it to stop, but a few lights stayed on.
Over the phone, the service adviser asked if it had water damage, if the passenger floor was wet. Floor wasn't wet, we hadn't driven through a 12" puddle, just normal bad weather driving. When the tech got into it, he found 2" of water in the tray/compartment that houses the battery and some controllers. My adviser said that the heavy rain overwhelmed the drains and water got into the air-intake and into the electronics. $5000+ in damage and he told me to call my insurance asap.
Doesn't quite sit right - sounds like a design flaw.
Over the phone, the service adviser asked if it had water damage, if the passenger floor was wet. Floor wasn't wet, we hadn't driven through a 12" puddle, just normal bad weather driving. When the tech got into it, he found 2" of water in the tray/compartment that houses the battery and some controllers. My adviser said that the heavy rain overwhelmed the drains and water got into the air-intake and into the electronics. $5000+ in damage and he told me to call my insurance asap.
Doesn't quite sit right - sounds like a design flaw.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Mount Pleasant SC
R350
Sounds like MB and the dealer shucking their responsibility again.
I'd get a complete breakdown of the $5k, as I can't imagine what costs that much. The blower motor is ~$100 on-line iirc and 30 minutes to replace. The battery is several hundred iirc, but can't be that hard to replace. Carpet might dry out. Place fans in there with rhe windows down.
An independent should be able to fix you up a lot cheaper.
Let us know what happens and good luck!
BTW, I'm on my iPhone so pardon my spelling...
I'd get a complete breakdown of the $5k, as I can't imagine what costs that much. The blower motor is ~$100 on-line iirc and 30 minutes to replace. The battery is several hundred iirc, but can't be that hard to replace. Carpet might dry out. Place fans in there with rhe windows down.
An independent should be able to fix you up a lot cheaper.
Let us know what happens and good luck!
BTW, I'm on my iPhone so pardon my spelling...
YES! Just this afternoon I had my R500 towed to the dealership. It's been raining in the DC area for 4 days. Last night my husband was driving in the rain again and the car electronically flipped out - wipers stopped, dash lights came on and off, windows went down, radio stopped working, headlights went out. He got to a garage and pulled the key out and the car wouldn't stop running. Had to pull some fuses to get it to stop, but a few lights stayed on.
Over the phone, the service adviser asked if it had water damage, if the passenger floor was wet. Floor wasn't wet, we hadn't driven through a 12" puddle, just normal bad weather driving. When the tech got into it, he found 2" of water in the tray/compartment that houses the battery and some controllers. My adviser said that the heavy rain overwhelmed the drains and water got into the air-intake and into the electronics. $5000+ in damage and he told me to call my insurance asap.
Doesn't quite sit right - sounds like a design flaw.
Over the phone, the service adviser asked if it had water damage, if the passenger floor was wet. Floor wasn't wet, we hadn't driven through a 12" puddle, just normal bad weather driving. When the tech got into it, he found 2" of water in the tray/compartment that houses the battery and some controllers. My adviser said that the heavy rain overwhelmed the drains and water got into the air-intake and into the electronics. $5000+ in damage and he told me to call my insurance asap.
Doesn't quite sit right - sounds like a design flaw.
