bollar

I've developed some significant trunk leaks in my SL 500 (manufacture date 09/03). Water is coming in at the top of the trunk where the multiple rubber gaskets meet at the window, rear pillar and trunk.

Has anyone had this problem, was it easy for the dealer to fix & do you have any other advice?

Or do you guys just not leave your cars out in the wet?

Thanks!

LovinMercedes

Never had the problem but would think it is a minor adjustment. There are several adjustments on how the top comes down and rests on those gaskets and my guess is a good mechanic could solve your problem in no time.

tiggerfink

I had the same problem when I took my car in to get something fix last month. Water was in my trunk and in the rear cabin. I noticed that my top was not close very thight. So I open my top and closed it.

The dealer ran water down my car for an hour and could not duplicate the leaks.

Take your car in and ask then to run water down the car. It is the best way to test where your dealer can fix the leak.

tiggerfink

I was able to duplicate my leak tonight. I left my car in the rain to see if it would leak. I noticed a drain tube underneath where the multi gaskets meet. I put a towel underneath the 2 drain tubes and my towel got wet.

JackStraw

These classic threads from the distant past may be of some help:

https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-r230/26245-damp-wet-boot.html

https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-r230/29824-water-leak-into-lower-boot.html

https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-sl63-amg-sl65-amg-r230/26243-damp-wet-boot.html

bollar

Thanks all for the advice. I dropped the car off yesterday at the local MB dealer with a long punchlist of minor warranty work. Despite the fact that the trunk is just soaking wet (and from the stains, you can see exactly where the leak is), they said it's hard to find leaks and they might not be successful.

I'll let you all know how it's resolved.

Hopefully I won't have to drive to Houston to let some good mechanics look at it....

tiggerfink

I made an appointment to see the dealer on Monday. Here is a pic of what bollar and I are talking about.

http://www.mbnz.org/forums/forums/th...posts=4&fid=28

bollar

Dealer says they think they got the leaks, so we'll see. I guess I'll have to leave the car out in the rain to verify.

LovinMercedes

Yup, that is the problem, in order to see if they fixed it, you gotta risk getting the trunk soaked again.

Chris 45971

I can't believe that the service person would say that Bollar. Your car is under warrantee and I imagine very important to you? Yeah, its difficult to fix leaks; but that's what they do. I would tell them that the leak gets fixed and that's it. After they think they fixed the leak they should do tests to ensure that the fix worked. More than just pouring water on the car. I don't care if it takes 8-hours a day for a week to get it right.

If I went to where I bought my car an told them that service said they "might not get the leak". I can assure you there would be friction between the dealer and the service center. A leak is a serious thing in regards to the long term value of the car. If mold forms, it is almost imposible to completely get rid of the smell.

I would demand more and start writing letters if you don't get it.

bollar

That's just part of the "magic" of this particular dealer and why many of us take our cars to Baton Rouge for important service and buy our cars in Houston or Dallas.

So anyway, I got the car back tonight.

They replaced all of the rubber around the window and the trunk and left it outside overnight to sit in a huge thunderstorm. The trunk is dry, so here's hoping it's fixed.

They also said they heard a rattle when they were driving it, so they decided to re-felt the rear deck.

v8plus4

The service dept. in Baton Rouge is great. Bollar, where are you located?

bollar

New Orleans. Have you been to visit the braintrust at Benson recently?

v8plus4

I'm in Destin, FL. I'm in New Orleans often though, and have had bad luck w/Benson. I was in Baton Rouge buying some furniture last month, and needed a trailer hitch installed on my ML, and the guys there were VERY accomodating. They didn't have a part in stock, so they sent a driver up to Alexandria to pick up the part from another dealership and bring it back the same day. A four-hour trip, I believe. They do a great job.

bollar

Given that Walker in Alexandria is at least an hour further away than Benson in Metairie, I think that says it all.... :p

tiggerfink

Dealer said they will have to replace the rubber gasket around the trunk. I hope I get my car tomorrow.

Chris 45971

I think I have the same thing Tigger. The "tube thing" on the passenger side of my truck dripped water after I washed my car today. A small piece of the trunk cover (the thing you have to pull down to put the top down) was wet. I also noticed little droplets/spatter of water in the back of the cabin right near the back window. I plan to bring this up when I bring my car in for the 1000-3000 mile checkup on 24-DEC. That, and condensation getting into the front driver-side headlight.

Please keep us updated on how your car turns out.

bollar

My trunk is still dry, but I appear to have picked up a couple of rattles. No doubt another adjustment will be necessary.

tiggerfink

1000 to 3000 mile check up? When did Mercedes start doing that. I herd the same on the SLK350 users to.

bollar

Check the service manual. My 03 refers to the following:

Initial Service - First visit at 1,000-3,000 miles

Your first service to your Preferred Mercedes-Benz Dealer for initial service is provided at no charge. Please refer to your Maintenance Booklet for full details.

What is Checked:

1. · Diagnostic Test
2. · Vehicle Q+A
3. · Tire Rotation (as long as it occurs before 6,500 miles on the vehicle's odometer)

tiggerfink

I can not find it. I look in the Operator's Manuale, Service Booklet, and Service and Warranty Information for 2004 cars.

tiggerfink

Got my car back today. The dealer replaced 2 seals around the trunk and the seal below rear window and some panelling. I also got my tires balance.

I got my tires balanced twice in 8 months or in 11,500 miles. Why do my tires loose their balance that often.

Gunther

Simple Tiggerfink - your tires/wheels no longer have weights clipped onto the rims. They are now using weights that are stuck with glue onto the inner part of the wheel. Idea is to be cosmetically more pleasing. However, the glue does give out at times. Therefore the weight comes off and now your tire is no longer balanced.

jasab

Is a leaking trunk and a known issue with the R230?
Are the seals suffering from weathering / perishing?
Since seeing the thread have checked mine, it's OK but I'm concerned.