Water in the trunk! Help!

Charlie · 08-16-2008

Today I noticed the first big problem I've ever had with my SLK 200. Today I had the car parked outside the garage and it rained very hard. I had to take some things out of the car and for some reason I pulled the bottom carpeting of the trunk out to access the spare tire and I noticed that it was wet.

I had the MB mechanic come today for service at home. After he did the service I mentioned the problem to him. He got inside the trunk and his assistant poured water with the hose on top on the rear view window and the sides. Just after a few minutes there was water inside.

It seems to be getting inside through the sides between the trunk and the seals. He mentioned that it needed adjustment and in plain view one side showed more gap than the other. He mentioned that the work to fix this problem is tedious and it usually takes the shop approximately 2-4 days to complete and yes it's expensive.

He went on explaining the procedure... All linings have to be removed, the back tray mechanism, etc. in order to leave the trunk bare and notice where the water is coming in. He said that this job is one of the most difficult because it must be perfect. Too tight or too loose and you will still be getting water inside. What worries me the most is that there are a lot of electronic components in the back of the car. Needless to say, this is the rainy season in Panama...

Any of you have encountered this situation?

Regards,

CEB

mtiede · 08-17-2008

I don't remember how my SLK 320 was, but I know that the SLK 350 has 2 tubes that collect water and direct it out. If those tubes come loose or disconnected, they could leak. I think someone else had a problem like that. You might check to see if those tubes are there. One on each side below the window in the trunk.

DansSlk · 08-17-2008

If it's coming in between the trunk (lid?) and the seals then they wont need to strip it will they, otherwise 2 days is about right.

**Woolly** · 08-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie

He got inside the trunk and his assistant poured water with the hose on top on the rear view window and the sides. Just after a few minutes there was water inside.

Don't mention climbing inside trunks to Dan, although, hopefully he can see the funny side of his SLR experience now

Charlie · 08-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtiede

I don't remember how my SLK 320 was, but I know that the SLK 350 has 2 tubes that collect water and direct it out. If those tubes come loose or disconnected, they could leak. I think someone else had a problem like that. You might check to see if those tubes are there. One on each side below the window in the trunk.

The tubes are connected and not clogged. This was one of the first things they checked. Thanks... I fear the worst, a long process of calibrating the lid.

Charlie · 08-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by DansSlk

If it's coming in between the trunk (lid?) and the seals then they wont need to strip it will they, otherwise 2 days is about right.

Dan, what I think they need to do is reset the lid and align it correctly. I have no clue how did it get misaligned, but at this moment the only thing that needs to happen is for them to do the work. If I don't get it fixed soon, the electronics are at risk. I wonder what can I do until Thursday when I take the car to the shop, other than not driving it... Perhaps I will place some plastic chamois on the edge to catch the water?. Thank you.

Charlie · 08-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtiede

I don't remember how my SLK 320 was, but I know that the SLK 350 has 2 tubes that collect water and direct it out..

The SLK 200 is exactly as your 350 (R171)... The tubes are there, not clogged and well connected. Good idea to check these though.... Thank you.

DansSlk · 08-17-2008

Who told you the electronics are at risk mate? they are all on the wall against the fuel tank so the trunk can swallow a huge amount of water before damaging them unless the leak is below the rear window because it can drip into the carpet.

To align the trunk is simple enough and only takes a few hours but with testing it can take up to a day or so because you want to try different pressures from different angles, etc, etc, etc.

I wouldn't pay more than 1 day's work without asking questions.

Charlie · 08-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by DansSlk

Who told you the electronics are at risk mate? they are all on the wall against the fuel tank so the trunk can swallow a huge amount of water before damaging them unless the leak is below the rear window because it can drip into the carpet.

To align the trunk is simple enough and only takes a few hours but with testing it can take up to a day or so because you want to try different pressures from different angles, etc, etc, etc.

I wouldn't pay more than 1 day's work without asking questions.

The water is coming in through the sides and going under the lining before it gets to the spare tire well. The small rubbery surface under the electronics is wet... The electronics is not damaged yet, and you are right it would take a considerable amount of water for it to get flooded as its raised from the surface by the metal enclosure. But humidity does get the electronics damaged. The extreme almost paranoid thing to do during the repair would be to clean all contacts with a contact cleaner.

The actual labor hours would not be more than a day, but it takes several attempts over the span of more than one day for certain. I wouldn't like to pay more than a day's work but I do want to get it done right.

Thanks for your comments.

Cheers,

CEB

**etyu** · 08-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie

.../It seems to be getting inside through the sides between the trunk and the seals. He mentioned that it needed adjustment and in plain view one side showed more gap than the other.

Can you take photos and post the area where the gap is? Thanks in advance.

DansSlk · 08-18-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie

The water is coming in through the sides and going under the lining before it gets to the spare tire well. The small rubbery surface under the electronics is wet... The electronics is not damaged yet, and you are right it would take a considerable amount of water for it to get flooded as its raised from the surface by the metal enclosure. But humidity does get the electronics damaged. The extreme almost paranoid thing to do during the repair would be to clean all contacts with a contact cleaner.

The actual labor hours would not be more than a day, but it takes several attempts over the span of more than one day for certain. I wouldn't like to pay more than a day's work but I do want to get it done right.

Thanks for your comments.

Cheers,

CEB

I wouldn't worry about the electrics, you would need to flood the trunk to cause them any damage there's no way humidity is going to be bad enough to do damage even in Panama and with a water leak, I've seen car's that actually have flooded and the electrics above the water line work fine (in fact a lot of the submerged equipment can be fixed with alcohol and time, but thats not really the done thing).

The dealer should have an alignment tool to align the lid, we have one here and we can do the alignments in one go because we just use the tools.

mcat · 08-18-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtiede

I don't remember how my SLK 320 was, but I know that the SLK 350 has 2 tubes that collect water and direct it out. If those tubes come loose or disconnected, they could leak. I think someone else had a problem like that. You might check to see if those tubes are there. One on each side below the window in the trunk.

That was me 3 weeks after getting the car

. I now check those 2 rubber hoses every time I look in the boot because when they come of the results are catastrophic.

If you have water in there you will need to remove all the lining to dry everything out.

mtiede · 08-18-2008

After you made that post, I check mine too

**etyu** · 08-19-2008

Ditto here, almost weekly after each car wash as part of routine, e.g., check tire pressure, clean windows, inspect rubber seal, etc.

Charlie · 08-19-2008

I will take pictures to compare the before and after conditions... The repair is scheduled to start next Thursday.

Charlie · 08-22-2008

The saga continues... I took the car in yesterday morning to the "official garage", what a mess. I took the time to write every type of information regarding the car, myself and the problem at hand. Needless to say they did not look at it.

The shop took the easy way out "replace all rubber gaskets from the back of the car!" Forget about trying to reset the trunk of the roof mechanism. They quoted $1,819.65 to be precise... This is armed robbery, don't you think

To add salt to the injury, they do not want to give me the part numbers that they indicated are needed for the repairs. Is this normal in your countries?

Anyways, any of you could help me with the part numbers? they listed as:

1. Trunk rubber seal $273.50
2. LH lateral rubber seal $365.75
3. RH lateral rubber seal $365.75
4. Rear window rubber joint? $228.00

PLUS TAX

I took pictures of the car that I will upload later today. I am still in shock from this...

Regards,

Charlie

08-16-2008	#1 (permalink)
Charlie SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Panama Vehicle: SLK 200 Kompressor Posts: 50 Country: Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Water in the trunk! Help! Today I noticed the first big problem I've ever had with my SLK 200. Today I had the car parked outside the garage and it rained very hard. I had to take some things out of the car and for some reason I pulled the bottom carpeting of the trunk out to access the spare tire and I noticed that it was wet. I had the MB mechanic come today for service at home. After he did the service I mentioned the problem to him. He got inside the trunk and his assistant poured water with the hose on top on the rear view window and the sides. Just after a few minutes there was water inside. It seems to be getting inside through the sides between the trunk and the seals. He mentioned that it needed adjustment and in plain view one side showed more gap than the other. He mentioned that the work to fix this problem is tedious and it usually takes the shop approximately 2-4 days to complete and yes it's expensive. He went on explaining the procedure... All linings have to be removed, the back tray mechanism, etc. in order to leave the trunk bare and notice where the water is coming in. He said that this job is one of the most difficult because it must be perfect. Too tight or too loose and you will still be getting water inside. What worries me the most is that there are a lot of electronic components in the back of the car. Needless to say, this is the rainy season in Panama... Any of you have encountered this situation? Regards, CEB

08-17-2008	#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	If it's coming in between the trunk (lid?) and the seals then they wont need to strip it will they, otherwise 2 days is about right. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

08-17-2008	#8 (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	Who told you the electronics are at risk mate? they are all on the wall against the fuel tank so the trunk can swallow a huge amount of water before damaging them unless the leak is below the rear window because it can drip into the carpet. To align the trunk is simple enough and only takes a few hours but with testing it can take up to a day or so because you want to try different pressures from different angles, etc, etc, etc. I wouldn't pay more than 1 day's work without asking questions. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

08-19-2008	#14 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,279 Country: Thanks: 376 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	Ditto here, almost weekly after each car wash as part of routine, e.g., check tire pressure, clean windows, inspect rubber seal, etc. __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

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08-17-2008	#2 (permalink)
mtiede Founding Member #7 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Western New York Vehicle: 2006 SLK 350 Posts: 1,642 Thanks: 100 Thanked 55 Times in 45 Posts	I don't remember how my SLK 320 was, but I know that the SLK 350 has 2 tubes that collect water and direct it out. If those tubes come loose or disconnected, they could leak. I think someone else had a problem like that. You might check to see if those tubes are there. One on each side below the window in the trunk.

08-18-2008	#13 (permalink)
mtiede Founding Member #7 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Western New York Vehicle: 2006 SLK 350 Posts: 1,642 Thanks: 100 Thanked 55 Times in 45 Posts	After you made that post, I check mine too

08-19-2008	#15 (permalink)
Charlie SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Panama Vehicle: SLK 200 Kompressor Posts: 50 Country: Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I will take pictures to compare the before and after conditions... The repair is scheduled to start next Thursday.

08-22-2008	#16 (permalink)
Charlie SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Panama Vehicle: SLK 200 Kompressor Posts: 50 Country: Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	The saga continues... I took the car in yesterday morning to the "official garage", what a mess. I took the time to write every type of information regarding the car, myself and the problem at hand. Needless to say they did not look at it. The shop took the easy way out "replace all rubber gaskets from the back of the car!" Forget about trying to reset the trunk of the roof mechanism. They quoted $1,819.65 to be precise... This is armed robbery, don't you think To add salt to the injury, they do not want to give me the part numbers that they indicated are needed for the repairs. Is this normal in your countries? Anyways, any of you could help me with the part numbers? they listed as: 1. Trunk rubber seal $273.50 2. LH lateral rubber seal $365.75 3. RH lateral rubber seal $365.75 4. Rear window rubber joint? $228.00 PLUS TAX I took pictures of the car that I will upload later today. I am still in shock from this... Regards, Charlie

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