Water leaking into passenger footwell

Lord Deadfish · Dec 9, 2009

Hi to everyone.
I thought I would have a scour through this forum to see if anyone has had a similar problem. Also, if it saves someone else having a similar experience it is worth the post.
I am in the UK and have a 2005 SLK200 although I suspect this problem may not be restricted to SLKs.
I have had the car from new and up until now have had no problems.
It has been serviced by Mercedes since new.
About 3 weeks ago the air con blower (heater fan) stopped working. A quick trip to the Merc dealer found no obvious fault and they suggested the blower would need replacement - approx cost 250UKP.
This week I booked the car in for the work. Mercedes then ring up to inform me that water has leaked through the bulkhead into the car due to a drain hole in the battery chamber becoming blocked.
So, as well as the water taking out the blower motor, they need to replace battery, alarm siren unit, take out all carpets from passenger side and dry out the car.
Cost £1400 UKP
I immediately argued against this and they have reduced the cost by 50% but will not budge any further (so far).
I am angry because this could easily have been avoided. It seems reasonable for Mercedes to check for these sort of problems when the car is serviced. If I had known there was a potential problem I could have done a regular check myself. I'm not sure yet what my next course of action will be but I suspect it's going to take a lot of correspondence before I achieve anymore than what's been offered.
Mercedes won't even just sell me the parts at the discount, they have to fit them for me to qualify for the "goodwill"!
I may source the parts myself, get the car fixed and pursue compensation separately (I need a working heater!). Could anyone point me somewhere where I can source the part numbers from?
In the meantime check your drain holes!
Regards - Ian

Woolly · Dec 9, 2009

Hi Ian, welcome from NE England. Sorry to hear about your problem, but it does seem to be fairly common - especially in the boot/trunk of R170s. If you bought your car new in the UK, then you are covered under the 1979 Sale of Goods act, which states 'traders must sell goods that are as described and of satisfactory quality'. This applies for a period of 6 years after your purchase, and your claim is against the organisation you bought it from, not the manufacturer (hence why 'extended warranties' are a waste of money). Good luck.

etyu · Dec 9, 2009

Welcome Ian.

Some questions:

Is this is the R171?

Is the battery compartment located on the left side of the vehicle in the UK?

Is the lay out of the battery compartment the same as that in the US? (mirror image perhaps)

Is the drain-of interest located at the floor of the battery compartment, to which the overflow tube from the car battery also drains into?

Is this in a geographic area where leaves and small debris are prevalent from the local flora?

Woolly · Dec 9, 2009

I know what you're thinking Eddy!!, so I'll answer your questions!!!

etyu said:
Some questions:

Is this is the R171?

Yes

Lord Deadfish said:
. . .and have a 2005 SLK200 . .

etyu said:
Is the battery compartment located on the left side of the vehicle in the UK?

Yes

etyu said:
Is the lay out of the battery compartment the same as that in the US? (mirror image perhaps)

Yes

etyu said:
Is the drain-of interest located at the floor of the battery compartment, to which the overflow tube from the car battery also drains into?

Yes

etyu said:
Is this in a geographic area where leaves and small debris are prevalent from the local flora?

Don't know that one

etyu · Dec 9, 2009

Perhaps a routine biweekly or monthly check/inspection to clear debris and leaves from the drain aft of the battery bay (by the engine bonnet/hood line) and also to remove the battery compartment cover to clear debris that may have found their way into the battery compartment would be a good maintenance/cleaning procedure. Prolly should be part of a routine while checking tire pressure biweekly or monthly.

This may minimize the risk of drains clogging and debris causing unwanted noise from the cockpit/cabin fan.

Woolly · Dec 9, 2009

etyu said:
Perhaps a routine biweekly or monthly check/inspection to clear debris and leaves from the drain aft of the battery bay (by the engine bonnet/hood line) and also to remove the battery compartment cover to clear debris that may have found their way into the battery compartment would be a good maintenance/cleaning procedure.

. . . Or fitting a little grille in there would be a very good idea

Lord Deadfish · Dec 9, 2009

To answer Eddy's remaining question that is also yes - leafy Surrey.
I agree as an owner there is an obligation to keep drainage holes free of debris. However, the area in question is not one you would normally look to check for debris unless you knew it was there. Servicing to date has all been done by Mercedes and my own under bonnet checks have probably not been as rigorous as with previous cars. However, I would suggest that even if a blockage occurs the results should not be so catastrophic as this.
I never experienced anything remotely like this with BMW or Volvo.
I'm going to write a letter to Mercedes as the next step so I'll keep you posted.
Ian

jbanks15 · Dec 10, 2009

Lord Deadfish,

Welcome from Valrico, Florida!
And welcome to this great forum!

If you haven’t, please use the 'search this forum' feature for your questions as they have probably been asked before.
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etyu · Dec 10, 2009

Lord Deadfish, it just occurred to me that Jbanks and another member had water leaking into the passenger footwell (albeit left hand drive vehicle) because of clogged drain tube from the air conditioning unit (located inside cabin, see DIY on cabin filter replacement) or a faulty attachment or non-attachment of the drain tube (IIRC, there are two -- one for each side of cabin). I'd have MB double check this also as good measure.

nakulan7 · Dec 10, 2009

Thanks for the post

Mine was completely blocked with crud which i have cleared off.

etyu · Dec 10, 2009

Anyone with photos of the debris-blocked drain before it was cleansed out?

Dave54 · Dec 11, 2009

Welcome from Oregon.

etyu · Dec 13, 2009

Photos of couple of drains in the R171 to make sure they're clean or free of debris

Drain with large (molded) mesh just aft of the battery compartment cover:

Location of twist locks at battery compartment cover:

Drain inside the battery compartment:

etyu · Dec 14, 2009

Now there is a way to lessen the amount of debris that may gain entry into the battery compartment.

KDNOLA · Dec 20, 2013

Slk MANUFACTURER DEFECT - BATTERY DRAIN HOLE TOO SMALL

I have to replace blower & electrical for wiper,cruise, etc because of the water damage fm the rain. The battery drain hole is too small causing water to drain on electrical components & inside the vehicle.

How do we make mercedes accountable?
Email: kdnola@aol.com
i am going to file a class action suit

lord deadfish said:
hi to everyone.
I thought i would have a scour through this forum to see if anyone has had a similar problem. Also, if it saves someone else having a similar experience it is worth the post.
I am in the uk and have a 2005 slk200 although i suspect this problem may not be restricted to slks.
I have had the car from new and up until now have had no problems.
It has been serviced by mercedes since new.
About 3 weeks ago the air con blower (heater fan) stopped working. A quick trip to the merc dealer found no obvious fault and they suggested the blower would need replacement - approx cost 250ukp.
This week i booked the car in for the work. Mercedes then ring up to inform me that water has leaked through the bulkhead into the car due to a drain hole in the battery chamber becoming blocked.
So, as well as the water taking out the blower motor, they need to replace battery, alarm siren unit, take out all carpets from passenger side and dry out the car.
Cost £1400 ukp
i immediately argued against this and they have reduced the cost by 50% but will not budge any further (so far).
I am angry because this could easily have been avoided. It seems reasonable for mercedes to check for these sort of problems when the car is serviced. If i had known there was a potential problem i could have done a regular check myself. I'm not sure yet what my next course of action will be but i suspect it's going to take a lot of correspondence before i achieve anymore than what's been offered.
Mercedes won't even just sell me the parts at the discount, they have to fit them for me to qualify for the "goodwill"!
I may source the parts myself, get the car fixed and pursue compensation separately (i need a working heater!). Could anyone point me somewhere where i can source the part numbers from?
In the meantime check your drain holes!
Regards - ian

jem · Apr 8, 2016

Any update on this issue?

I have had a recent issue with a battery compartment full of water and am having no joy at all dealing with Mercedes. I wondered if there had been any update on the class action mentioned or whether anyone has had any sort of resolution? The breakdown technician who came to my rescue mentioned that this was a known issue with Mercedes so I would be interested to know if they are wilfully not acknowledging a problem they are more than aware of.

thanks

jbanks15 · Apr 8, 2016

jem said:
I have had a recent issue with a battery compartment full of water and am having no joy at all dealing with Mercedes. I wondered if there had been any update on the class action mentioned or whether anyone has had any sort of resolution? The breakdown technician who came to my rescue mentioned that this was a known issue with Mercedes so I would be interested to know if they are wilfully not acknowledging a problem they are more than aware of.

thanks

This thread is 7 years old and op has not been back since: Last Activity: 12-14-2009 Closing thread

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Water leaking into passenger footwell

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