SL/R230: R230 Trunk Leak
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SL55 Renntech/Brabus
R230 Trunk Leak
Anyone have a problem with water leaks in the trunk of the SL? The leak appears to be coming from the upper seals (?). Can't be reproduced with a hose, and the dealer can't find anything wrong either. Yet a good rain will result in a very wet trunk. Car is an 04 in pristine condition.
Seems like it's either the trunk lock mechanism is not closing tight enough, or the seals somehow get overloaded in heavy rain. All drains are clear.
Seems like it's either the trunk lock mechanism is not closing tight enough, or the seals somehow get overloaded in heavy rain. All drains are clear.
Last edited by melmark; 02-12-2009 at 12:44 PM.
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
2006 SL600, 2001 S500, 1996 SL320
I had the same problem
I had the same problem, finally took someone in the shop who gave a S**T about the customer who actually got in the trunk and saw where it was leaking and FIXED it PROPERLY. I believe it is the only way to get it fixed right, I had several service receipts saying it was fixed, but wasn't until he did that. Good luck.
#4
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2005 SL600, 2015 E350 wagon, 2013 SL63
Trunk Leak
I believe this is a fairly common problem, as it has come up a number of times. Mine leaked around the trunk seals, and as I understand it, that is the common place for the leak to occur. The dealer replaced my seals, and although it took two times to get the leak stopped, replacing the seals did eventually do the job.
#5
Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: El Segundo, CA
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2006 SL 500
My trunk leaked on my 2006 SL500 soon after I purchased it. The trunk seals were replaced under warranty and it hasn't reoccurred. As someone said, this seems to a rather regular problem on these cars.
#6
I have the 2003 SL and had the problem a few times in the early years. Went back to dealers a few times, and they replaced the seals at least twice. There used to be lots of problems reported about then, and I recall giving them a page of internet printouts!
But not done without a lot of hassle. The final straw was after they had "fixed" it, I collected it and went to the airport (3 miles) parked it for 2 days when I went abroad. Picked it up on my return and the boot was awash to about 2" (I had fitted a boot tray to catch it by now!).
Drove straight back to the dealer and left it with them. They got a man in the boot to spot it and other water detectors were tried, and new seals were eventually fitted and the job was done. Fixed under warranty and I was happy that a resolution was found. Dealer was first class once they had accepted that there was a problem.
But not done without a lot of hassle. The final straw was after they had "fixed" it, I collected it and went to the airport (3 miles) parked it for 2 days when I went abroad. Picked it up on my return and the boot was awash to about 2" (I had fitted a boot tray to catch it by now!).
Drove straight back to the dealer and left it with them. They got a man in the boot to spot it and other water detectors were tried, and new seals were eventually fitted and the job was done. Fixed under warranty and I was happy that a resolution was found. Dealer was first class once they had accepted that there was a problem.
#7
Just found out that I have the same problem. The leak happens from the top seals where the seals appear to join each other (see arrows in picture). It's not a ton of water where it makes a pool, but it's a lot of drops that make the carpeting wet from that point all the way to the bottom.
Any ideas on how to fix this?
Thanks
Any ideas on how to fix this?
Thanks
Trending Topics
#8
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: In a VAN down by the river
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
His wifes head hard into the headboard nightly!!
i have come to realize these car a re a pain in the ***, ans i wish i had stayed with BMW..too much $ out now to sell
look great pakred but too many issues and time waisted at dealers or trying to solve minor issues..fora high end car..flagship from MB its a joke!
look great pakred but too many issues and time waisted at dealers or trying to solve minor issues..fora high end car..flagship from MB its a joke!
#9
Super Member
me 2
Just found out today, this is the root cause for my PSE pump going bad twice. Some strange leak in the trunk totally f**** up the PSE pump responsible for the locking, trunk opening, and alarm. Dealer first replaced the pump, but few days back, i notice no locking w/ the key.
Opened my trunk manually w/ key and noticed dampness everywhere, it's at the dealership right now. And they said, it's a leak in the rubber lining. They are once again replacing the PSE pump and hopefully fixing the root cause. Crossing my fingers..
Amer
Opened my trunk manually w/ key and noticed dampness everywhere, it's at the dealership right now. And they said, it's a leak in the rubber lining. They are once again replacing the PSE pump and hopefully fixing the root cause. Crossing my fingers..
Amer
#10
Super Member
lesson learned the hard way
#11
Trunk seals
I had the same issue so I changed my center brake light first that was cracked. Then I had my mechanic change the seal right under the rear glass .
That did it for me . I havent had an issue since.
That did it for me . I havent had an issue since.
#12
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
02ML320, 04SL500, 65SL230
My car had the same problem before. Apparently there is a inner hose/tube that should have been inserted into the seal from the joints you highlighted. This will ensure a tight seal at the joints when the trunk is closed and will stop any leakage. It took me three trips until a alert/knowledgable mechanic at the dealership spotted it and solved the leakage permanently.
#13
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: In a VAN down by the river
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
His wifes head hard into the headboard nightly!!
mb dealer told me peoples rear sams go from leaky break lights also. one of the things checked and replaced in m car(no leak though..just bad Sam
#14
Super Member
My break light was replaced last month as the possible cause. Three wks later, today, here I am with a damp/soggy trunk. Glad to know some of u guys found a fix.. my car is at the dealership getting the issue resolved..
#15
Just found out that I have the same problem. The leak happens from the top seals where the seals appear to join each other (see arrows in picture). It's not a ton of water where it makes a pool, but it's a lot of drops that make the carpeting wet from that point all the way to the bottom.
Any ideas on how to fix this?
Thanks
Any ideas on how to fix this?
Thanks
#16
Yep I figured out how to fix it....I sold the car
But seriously, I think this is simply a design defect since it's pretty much universal and I could not figure out how to fix it. Just had a wet trunk once in a while.
But seriously, I think this is simply a design defect since it's pretty much universal and I could not figure out how to fix it. Just had a wet trunk once in a while.
#17
Super Member
#19
I've had a similar problem on the left side of trunk, along with the trunk lid becoming mis-aligned periodically. Struts were replaced and lid adjusted several times. Service tech at dealership said to be careful when closing trunk and pull it straight down with both hands to avoid side to side motion. There is a visibly bigger space between trunk and body on the left side now. Extended warranty expired so car staying in garage for now.
#20
Here are MB TSB s on the roof...Hope it helps.
http://www.eautorepair.net/app/TSBS_ALL.asp?S0=16384&S1=0&SG={05938436-7F5A-4495-89F3-F85CE0CC867B}&YR=2005&MK=159&MD=1641&SM=0&MKN=Merc edes-Benz&MDN=SL500&MA=15&SID=987598680
http://www.eautorepair.net/app/TSBS_ALL.asp?S0=16384&S1=0&SG={05938436-7F5A-4495-89F3-F85CE0CC867B}&YR=2005&MK=159&MD=1641&SM=0&MKN=Merc edes-Benz&MDN=SL500&MA=15&SID=987598680
#21
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 1,342
Received 216 Likes
on
185 Posts
2005 R 230 SL350 (M112 3.7). Sold the 1966 W113 230SL recently
An old thread about infamous trouble: water in the trunk - seals and/or 3rd brake light.
There’s lots of info on this, everywhere, but I think this good old Englishman has a particularly thorough plan of attack, so I post a link here.
.
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/in...ersion.142371/
There’s lots of info on this, everywhere, but I think this good old Englishman has a particularly thorough plan of attack, so I post a link here.
.
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/in...ersion.142371/