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Where is the water from? Top leaking behind the driver
Hi, countless posts on the vario top leaks (mostly trunk), but I can't find any clear information on the leak behind the driver seat, which seems to be coming from the top of the C pillar. All cleaning, Gummi Pfelge treatments already done. The draining passage from the roof top to the door level (rubber along the metal part of the C pillar) and down to the ground is clear. Alignment of panels seems to be good and the same on both sides. No visible rubber damage or deformation. Still there is a leak on the driver side.
I enclose the photos below of the relevant area. Could someone please mark on an photo the typical water entry point and the best way to stop it? Thanks a lot!
Last edited by George993; May 9, 2020 at 07:43 PM.
OK, I had this too and it stumped me for ages. However look in the area of the arrow, inside the recess of the seal and you will see a very small hole. It’s difficult to see, I didn’t pick up on it straight away. This is the entrance to a drain that runs internally down the length of the seal. I put a plastic strimmer wire down the top hole and gently pushed it down till it exited through the bottom of the seal. You will need to externally massage the seal at various points to get the wire to move past some points. Do not just use brute force.
After the strimmer wire appeared at the bottom of the seal I moved it up and down a few times to clear any crap and then pulled it out. My leak stopped straight after.
Coincidentally my leak started after I’d done a session cleaning all the seals and treating with gummi fledge. My theory is that while I was cleaning the insides of the seal join, I’ve managed to dislodge some dirt that has entered into that drain hole.
Thanks @matk , this is exactly what I have been looking for! Indeed there is a hole, which I was expecting but could not find it as it points in the direction from inside of the car out, so not visible from a side. I've cleared it now so hopefully this is it :-). It seems the hole joins the big top to bottom opening inside the C pillar seal, which I have already cleared earlier by pushing a suitable plastic wire from the top. Thanks again!
Thanks @matk , this is exactly what I have been looking for! Indeed there is a hole, which I was expecting but could not find it as it points in the direction from inside of the car out, so not visible from a side. I've cleared it now so hopefully this is it :-). It seems the hole joins the big top to bottom opening inside the C pillar seal, which I have already cleared earlier by pushing a suitable plastic wire from the top. Thanks again!
Make sure you clean the complete length of the drain tube. If you don’t and there is some crap at the bottom end, it will appear that it’s fixed, but what happens is water will back up the tube and it will leak again
all this rubber seals on the picture, need be oiled once a year for keep seals fresh , also the knocking sound when drive from roof will then disapere. is special oil from Mercedes ,little bottle, payd 50 euro for it.
OK, thanks, I'm assuming it's Mold Lubricant - Mercedes-Benz (000-989-36-60) also called Mercedes Benz Rubber Lubricant Genuine 0009893660 / 000 989 36 60 ? Certainly sounds like a worthwhile treatment but how does it differ from Gummi Pflege?
OK, thanks, I'm assuming it's Mold Lubricant - Mercedes-Benz (000-989-36-60) also called Mercedes Benz Rubber Lubricant Genuine 0009893660 / 000 989 36 60 ? Certainly sounds like a worthwhile treatment but how does it differ from Gummi Pflege?
looks about right yes, How did it go with Full trottle liqseal ? did you test it yet, do you have a leak ABC also?
@Tommyboy928 I have the Full Throttle sealant but no leaks at the moment to try it out, will let everyone know once I use it. My ABC is not leaking any more after I've yanked it out completely and replaced with Ceika coil overs :-)
Having used the genuine MB stuff and Gummi Pflege, I think the MB stuff is way better. It seems to better absorb into the rubber, much like using dielectric grease but without the residual grease. I've never really liked Gummi Pflege all that much, to me it's no better than most quality vinyl/rubber cleaning products.
Having used the genuine MB stuff and Gummi Pflege, I think the MB stuff is way better. It seems to better absorb into the rubber, much like using dielectric grease but without the residual grease. I've never really liked Gummi Pflege all that much, to me it's no better than most quality vinyl/rubber cleaning products.
ok, sounds ok,
Last edited by Tommyboy928; May 13, 2020 at 09:53 AM.
@Tommyboy928 I have the Full Throttle sealant but no leaks at the moment to try it out, will let everyone know once I use it. My ABC is not leaking any more after I've yanked it out completely and replaced with Ceika coil overs :-)
OK, you have 24 bottles, can sell some to other guys, many asked about it, was sold out on some web pages. try one bottle for your engine,you will se oil use go down, and half a bottle for the roof sylinder.
2005 R 230 SL350 (M112 3.7). Sold the 1966 W113 230SL recently
Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy
Having used the genuine MB stuff and Gummi Pflege, I think the MB stuff is way better. It seems to better absorb into the rubber, much like using dielectric grease but without the residual grease. I've never really liked Gummi Pflege all that much, to me it's no better than most quality vinyl/rubber cleaning products.
VW sells the very same stuff (Krytox by Chemours) at about half the cost. It remedies leakage in their VW Eos convertible. I use it - nothing I know beats Krytox.
Last edited by Frederick NL; Mar 7, 2023 at 03:01 AM.
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