Air entry

DansSlk · 01-05-2007

Got a bit of a problem and its really starting to wind me up.

I have air getting into the car from under the drivers door and taking left hand bends its like the door is simply not there now i am sure this is not a problem in a nice warm climate but when its like 3 degrees outside it can be a right pain in the ass.

The alignment of the door looks good and so do the seals but i would like to ask a major favor of you if you don't mind could some of you please feel the gap in between the top of the kickplate and the bottom of the door and tell me if its a tighter fit nearer the front of the car than it is at the back also none of you notice cold air on your arm as your driving do you?

Thanks very much guys and gals any help will be very much appreciated i know it coming from the door and nowhere else because taping up the door reduces it to all but a trickle but its not exactly practical or cool to drive around with masking tape holding your door closed and exiting over the top of the bloody thing.

Its like the sde skirt is lose because i can make it flex a considerable amount but all the bolts are tight as a ducks arse i am really outta idea with this one now i don't rember feeling it before but maybe it has always been there.

**FishtailnZ** · 01-06-2007

I don't have access to the car right now to check on the spacing Dan, but I can say I've never had any air leaks around the door. I can also say the side sill should definitely not be flexing that easy! Sounds like that area is where your leak is for sure.

DansSlk · 01-06-2007

Cheers mate,

The thing has 2 seals one on the bottom of the door that runs in a U shape around its edge and another the runs along the top of the side skirt just below the kick plate thats not lining up correctly with the bottom of the door and i think the reason some was getting in with the door taped up is because its entering behind the door skin if that makes sense.

A the mid point the side skirt seal is tight at the point where the door the wheel arch and the skirt meet and there is a 3 point join the thing is lose.

It could be a laugh trying to fix this if it where letting in water i could at least see where it was entering but at low speed say below 30mph it all fine but the faster you go the worse it gets i figure this is because there is more pressure on the car as the faster moving air is looking for places to enter and the seal is simply being pushed out of the way.

Thats all just a guess mind you i can't prove it, thing is this is the door that was forced open by wind the day after i brought the car at about 90mph it just went bang and started to open if Alex had not grabbed it the thing would have most probably have come off in the wind so i am thinking maybe a leak was responsible for that building up the pressure on the inside of the door.

Zut · 01-06-2007

I am sincerely sorry (and also very surprised) to hear this. I have driven in rather cold temperatures last year and one of the many positive things I have noticed about my SLK is the absolute tightness of the cabin. I cannot hear any whistling sounds nor feel the slightest draught.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DansSlk

It could be a laugh trying to fix this if it where letting in water i could at least see where it was entering but at low speed say below 30mph it all fine but the faster you go the worse it gets i figure this is because there is more pressure on the car as the faster moving air is looking for places to enter and the seal is simply being pushed out of the way.

I am probably going to say something stupid but here goes: Have you tried using a hair-dryer around the door to spot the exact leaking point? I sure hope there is a very simple solution to your problem. I wish you the best!

DansSlk · 01-06-2007

I did think about having something blow air on it mate yeah so thats not a silly idea at all only thing is finding something that can blast 40mph wind at the door is hard to find

**Duo-Art** · 01-06-2007

I don't know if "leaf blowers" are common in Wales but many of us in the US have them.

V8SLK · 01-06-2007

[quote=DansSlk;17461]
The alignment of the door looks good and so do the seals but i would like to ask a major favor of you if you don't mind could some of you please feel the gap in between the top of the kickplate and the bottom of the door and tell me if its a tighter fit nearer the front of the car than it is at the back also none of you notice cold air on your arm as your driving do you?
quote]

mine's the same, front and rear. good luck...

**jbanks15** · 01-06-2007

dan, use a shop vac on blow or an air compressor. or one of those devices
home inspectors use to check windows for heat/cold loss that use small puffs of smoke

mtiede · 01-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by DansSlk

I ...only thing is finding something that can blast 40mph wind at the door is hard to find

Compressed air rather than a hair dryer might prevent burning something?

DansSlk · 01-06-2007

Thanks guys,

I think i will use the bit of kit we have for tightening bolts you know the pneumatic things (i forget the proper name, having a bad day) and have it fire air out at the door

**FishtailnZ** · 01-06-2007

Checked the door fit in the area you indicated Dan, and seems the same all along on mine. Best of luck with it!

DansSlk · 01-06-2007

Thanks mate.

Looking at mine for it to be out as much as it is the door would have to be raised well high and its almost bang on so that means the sideskirt must be way out and thats not good.

Gonna do some "adjustment" in the morning already got the duct tape and a hammer

**Duo-Art** · 01-06-2007

You might try temorarily sticking on some foam rubber trim pieces to see if you can eliminate the draft. Then you'll know where the permanent adjustment needs to be done.

DansSlk · 01-06-2007

Actually mate been driving about tonight with padding stuck between the door and the kickplate has reduced it but still feel it slightly in the morning i will be padding all that gap and taping the whole thing up again windows included then driving about to feel for any leaks.

There are 2 things that really piss me off more than anything else with cars one being water leaks because the stuff can travel so far along the inside of the car its so hard to find the entry point and air getting in because you just can't comfortable drive with freezing air blasting in on you.

**etyu** · 01-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by DansSlk

...
The alignment of the door looks good and so do the seals but i would like to ask a major favor of you if you don't mind could some of you please feel the gap in between the top of the kickplate and the bottom of the door and tell me if its a tighter fit nearer the front of the car than it is at the back also none of you notice cold air on your arm as your driving do you?

Thanks very much guys and gals any help will be very much appreciated i know it coming from the door and nowhere else because taping up the door reduces it to all but a trickle but its not exactly practical or cool to drive around with masking tape holding your door closed and exiting over the top of the bloody thing.

Its like the sde skirt is lose because i can make it flex a considerable amount but all the bolts are tight as a ducks arse i am really outta idea with this one now i don't rember feeling it before but maybe it has always been there.

Sorry to hear about this Dan. From the inside, the gap between the top of the door sil and the bottom of the door moulding is the same from front to back (about one fingertip wide). The gap from the back of the kickplate to the front edge of the door moulding (with the door closed) is also uniform from top to bottom and is about one fingertip wide.

You can switch the attachment tip of the air hose to your pneumatic tools in the shop with one with a blower tip (sometimes used to clean the air filter) to check for the airleak into the cockpit. It's a snap-on tool. It looks something like this:

DansSlk · 01-06-2007

Thanks for checking Eddy.

Thats the sorta thing i was on about i am sure we have something like that knocking about in the shop i will have to look for it.

I think it comes from the back of the car and moves toward the front i would not worry about it if it where just a slight trickle because the seals are going to be tougher and less flexible in this cold weather anyways but its a real breeze at times and its just the right height to brush up the side of my arm really winding me up

DansSlk · 01-09-2007

OK guys now i really need help.

In the morning the entire metal wall at the back of the car is getting sealed up along with all the roof, the trunk and the door (this time doing the whole window) hopefully that will stop it and i can then remove peices bit by bit to find the problem if not Bill came up with the fact it could be the extra power thats bent the i would say chassis but it don't have one as such so i will just say car a little and now it does not fit together as tight.

If thats the case it could just as easy be a panel or spacer, bolt whatever thats failed and is letting air in so the plan in that case is this.

Please tell me i don't want one

**etyu** · 01-10-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by DansSlk

OK guys now i really need help.

In the morning the entire metal wall at the back of the car is getting sealed up along with all the roof, the trunk and the door (this time doing the whole window) hopefully that will stop it and i can then remove peices bit by bit to find the problem if not Bill came up with the fact it could be the extra power thats bent the i would say chassis but it don't have one as such so i will just say car a little and now it does not fit together as tight.

If thats the case it could just as easy be a panel or spacer, bolt whatever thats failed and is letting air in so the plan in that case is this.

Please tell me i don't want one

Lead us not into TEMPTATION...

01-05-2007	#1 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,752 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts	Air entry Got a bit of a problem and its really starting to wind me up. I have air getting into the car from under the drivers door and taking left hand bends its like the door is simply not there now i am sure this is not a problem in a nice warm climate but when its like 3 degrees outside it can be a right pain in the ass. The alignment of the door looks good and so do the seals but i would like to ask a major favor of you if you don't mind could some of you please feel the gap in between the top of the kickplate and the bottom of the door and tell me if its a tighter fit nearer the front of the car than it is at the back also none of you notice cold air on your arm as your driving do you? Thanks very much guys and gals any help will be very much appreciated i know it coming from the door and nowhere else because taping up the door reduces it to all but a trickle but its not exactly practical or cool to drive around with masking tape holding your door closed and exiting over the top of the bloody thing. Its like the sde skirt is lose because i can make it flex a considerable amount but all the bolts are tight as a ducks arse i am really outta idea with this one now i don't rember feeling it before but maybe it has always been there. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

01-06-2007	#2 (permalink)
FishtailnZ Don't feed the trolls... Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nfld., Canada Other Toys: Wife, kids, dogs... Posts: 1,490 Country: Thanks: 285 Thanked 211 Times in 94 Posts	I don't have access to the car right now to check on the spacing Dan, but I can say I've never had any air leaks around the door. I can also say the side sill should definitely not be flexing that easy! Sounds like that area is where your leak is for sure. __________________ - Bill Waiting on a 2009 C63 Opal Fire Red/Alpaca Grey R.I.P. 2006 SLK55 Caspian Blue/Beige Stock 1/4 mile results: ET 12.72, trap 110.80, 60' 1.80 Some guys they just give up living and start dying little by little, piece by piece. Some guys come home from work and wash up and go racin' in the street... - B. Springsteen

01-06-2007	#3 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,752 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts	Cheers mate, The thing has 2 seals one on the bottom of the door that runs in a U shape around its edge and another the runs along the top of the side skirt just below the kick plate thats not lining up correctly with the bottom of the door and i think the reason some was getting in with the door taped up is because its entering behind the door skin if that makes sense. A the mid point the side skirt seal is tight at the point where the door the wheel arch and the skirt meet and there is a 3 point join the thing is lose. It could be a laugh trying to fix this if it where letting in water i could at least see where it was entering but at low speed say below 30mph it all fine but the faster you go the worse it gets i figure this is because there is more pressure on the car as the faster moving air is looking for places to enter and the seal is simply being pushed out of the way. Thats all just a guess mind you i can't prove it, thing is this is the door that was forced open by wind the day after i brought the car at about 90mph it just went bang and started to open if Alex had not grabbed it the thing would have most probably have come off in the wind so i am thinking maybe a leak was responsible for that building up the pressure on the inside of the door. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

01-06-2007	#5 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,752 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts	I did think about having something blow air on it mate yeah so thats not a silly idea at all only thing is finding something that can blast 40mph wind at the door is hard to find __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

01-06-2007	#8 (permalink)
jbanks15 Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Valrico, Florida Vehicle: 2009 SLK 55 AMG Posts: 684 Country: Thanks: 8 Thanked 40 Times in 29 Posts	dan, use a shop vac on blow or an air compressor. or one of those devices home inspectors use to check windows for heat/cold loss that use small puffs of smoke __________________ Jeff 2009 SLK 55 AMG Black/Black Premium 1, Multimedia, Lighting packages Clearshield Protective Film OEM MB Plexiglass Windscreen Eurolight Clear Side Markers Smarttop version 3.22 Kleyman 3rd Brake Light Flashing/Strobing Module V1.5 (Noregrets Custom Works) Last edited by jbanks15; 01-06-2007 at 03:20 PM.

01-06-2007	#6 (permalink)
Duo-Art Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 544 Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts	I don't know if "leaf blowers" are common in Wales but many of us in the US have them.

01-06-2007	#7 (permalink)
V8SLK Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Home of the brave Vehicle: 05 SLK55 AMG Posts: 1,071 Country: Thanks: 40 Thanked 48 Times in 26 Posts	[quote=DansSlk;17461] The alignment of the door looks good and so do the seals but i would like to ask a major favor of you if you don't mind could some of you please feel the gap in between the top of the kickplate and the bottom of the door and tell me if its a tighter fit nearer the front of the car than it is at the back also none of you notice cold air on your arm as your driving do you? quote] mine's the same, front and rear. good luck...

01-06-2007	#10 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,752 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts	Thanks guys, I think i will use the bit of kit we have for tightening bolts you know the pneumatic things (i forget the proper name, having a bad day) and have it fire air out at the door __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

01-06-2007	#11 (permalink)
FishtailnZ Don't feed the trolls... Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nfld., Canada Other Toys: Wife, kids, dogs... Posts: 1,490 Country: Thanks: 285 Thanked 211 Times in 94 Posts	Checked the door fit in the area you indicated Dan, and seems the same all along on mine. Best of luck with it! __________________ - Bill Waiting on a 2009 C63 Opal Fire Red/Alpaca Grey R.I.P. 2006 SLK55 Caspian Blue/Beige Stock 1/4 mile results: ET 12.72, trap 110.80, 60' 1.80 Some guys they just give up living and start dying little by little, piece by piece. Some guys come home from work and wash up and go racin' in the street... - B. Springsteen

01-06-2007	#12 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,752 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts	Thanks mate. Looking at mine for it to be out as much as it is the door would have to be raised well high and its almost bang on so that means the sideskirt must be way out and thats not good. Gonna do some "adjustment" in the morning already got the duct tape and a hammer __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

01-06-2007	#13 (permalink)
Duo-Art Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 544 Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts	You might try temorarily sticking on some foam rubber trim pieces to see if you can eliminate the draft. Then you'll know where the permanent adjustment needs to be done.

01-06-2007	#14 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,752 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts	Actually mate been driving about tonight with padding stuck between the door and the kickplate has reduced it but still feel it slightly in the morning i will be padding all that gap and taping the whole thing up again windows included then driving about to feel for any leaks. There are 2 things that really piss me off more than anything else with cars one being water leaks because the stuff can travel so far along the inside of the car its so hard to find the entry point and air getting in because you just can't comfortable drive with freezing air blasting in on you. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

01-06-2007	#16 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,752 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts	Thanks for checking Eddy. Thats the sorta thing i was on about i am sure we have something like that knocking about in the shop i will have to look for it. I think it comes from the back of the car and moves toward the front i would not worry about it if it where just a slight trickle because the seals are going to be tougher and less flexible in this cold weather anyways but its a real breeze at times and its just the right height to brush up the side of my arm really winding me up __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

01-09-2007	#17 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,752 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts	OK guys now i really need help. In the morning the entire metal wall at the back of the car is getting sealed up along with all the roof, the trunk and the door (this time doing the whole window) hopefully that will stop it and i can then remove peices bit by bit to find the problem if not Bill came up with the fact it could be the extra power thats bent the i would say chassis but it don't have one as such so i will just say car a little and now it does not fit together as tight. If thats the case it could just as easy be a panel or spacer, bolt whatever thats failed and is letting air in so the plan in that case is this. Please tell me i don't want one __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

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