SL350 2013 Roof wind noise

[Tarapoochy]

Hi all,

I’ve got a strange problem with the roof on my 2013 SL350. I first noticed a wind noise along the top above the windscreen. On closer inspection I noticed that on a sunny day the hot roof panel was bowed upwards in the middle. Closer inspection showed that the roof panel is very floppy and doesn’t seem to be attached to any kind of frame, therefore when it expands in the heat it bows upwards and creates a gap - hence the wind noise (on hot days). Normally having the roof open on hot days I don’t have the problem, but sometimes the boot is full and I can’t open the top!

I‘ve searched and not found anyone else post about this, so if anyone has had this problem please let me know the solution.
Thanks

 

[ToeKnee]

Could you post a picture so we can see exactly which part it is?

 

[Tarapoochy]

I’ll try, but it may not be very obvious in a picture. I’ve left it in the sun for a while...

 

[Tarapoochy]

So this is what seems to happen - the photo shows the seal between the top roof panel and the frame above the windscreen. If you look closely you can see that it is bowed up in the middle where it is very hot. When I open the roof a bit the whole top panel is very “floppy” across the front. It doesn‘t seem to be attached to anything, so when it expands in the heat there’s nothing holding it down. I get the feeling it should be bonded to the frame that I can see across the front that the latch etc is mounted on.

Does that make any sense?

 

[ToeKnee]

Ok, makes sense now. My mistake though as I was thinking you had the glass sunroof. Sorry I can't help.

 

[Tarapoochy]

Thanks anyway. I have discovered if I push down hard at the edges I can hear it trying to stick back down, but it instantly pops back off so the adhesive (probably double sided tape I guess) has clearly lost it’s stickiness. I’ll contact my local specialist and see if he can find out if Merc have a repair bulletin for it. Otherwise there must be some way that Merc have designed it so that the panel can be removed and stuck back down. Fingers crossed he’ll be able to sort it. Will post back when I have it fixed.

 

[leef44]

For such a new car, I wonder whether this is covered by the bodywork warranty

 

[Tarapoochy]

For such a new car, I wonder whether this is covered by the bodywork warranty

As far as I can see the long bodywork warranty is for rust, but I’ll give them a ring and see what they say. Thanks for the idea.

 

[Steeve]

As far as I can see the long bodywork warranty is for rust, but I’ll give them a ring and see what they say. Thanks for the idea.

Hi OP, did this ever get solved?

 

[Smart320]

I think they had this problem with some of the roof panels on the 2012 SLK . They moved to using a glass panel instead in 2013 . They replaced the failed units with glass, there are threads about this either on this or the SLK forum. I have no idea if they did the same with the SL.

 

[Tarapoochy]

Hi OP, did this ever get solved?

Hi Steve etc al.

I have an update to the problem with the convertible roof panel de-bonding from the frame on my SL350.

I consulted the dealer and their only solution wad a new roof part at £3k+! I also spoke to a couple of specialists for merc convertibles and one was prepared to have a go at dismantling and rebounding the roof having seen a similar problem on the same era SLK's. Cost estimated at £600 to £1000. Another place suggested a windscreen replacement company could re-bond it.

That got me thinking but I couldn't find a company who would do it. Soooo...

After looking at how it is made I decided that I'd try something myself. The seal just under the front of the roof is about 3mm away from the frame, so I got a tube of black CT1 (a silicone adhesive I have used in building projects before) and squeezed the end of the applicator tube flat. I then forced it up behind the rubber seal, between it and the frame, and squidged as much as I could all along while lifting the top roof panel. After I had done that I could hear it sticking between the frame, the seal and the roof panel when I pushed the roof panel down and then lifted it. One thing to note is that after about 15 mins of having the roof partly open it closes of its own accord (after a warning 'ding')

It took a bit of cleaning up afterwards to keep it looking nice, but I then left it with several heavy weights on the roof for a couple of days. After a couple of weeks I deliberately left it in the sun and (fingers crossed) it has worked! I have now used it for a couple of months and it seems fine.. Certainly there is no wind noise and the roof panel no longer bows up when left in the sun.

Happy days - total cost £9.99!

 

[Stocious]

Hi Steve etc al.

I have an update to the problem with the convertible roof panel de-bonding from the frame on my SL350.

I consulted the dealer and their only solution wad a new roof part at £3k+! I also spoke to a couple of specialists for merc convertibles and one was prepared to have a go at dismantling and rebounding the roof having seen a similar problem on the same era SLK's. Cost estimated at £600 to £1000. Another place suggested a windscreen replacement company could re-bond it.

That got me thinking but I couldn't find a company who would do it. Soooo...

After looking at how it is made I decided that I'd try something myself. The seal just under the front of the roof is about 3mm away from the frame, so I got a tube of black CT1 (a silicone adhesive I have used in building projects before) and squeezed the end of the applicator tube flat. I then forced it up behind the rubber seal, between it and the frame, and squidged as much as I could all along while lifting the top roof panel. After I had done that I could hear it sticking between the frame, the seal and the roof panel when I pushed the roof panel down and then lifted it. One thing to note is that after about 15 mins of having the roof partly open it closes of its own accord (after a warning 'ding')

It took a bit of cleaning up afterwards to keep it looking nice, but I then left it with several heavy weights on the roof for a couple of days. After a couple of weeks I deliberately left it in the sun and (fingers crossed) it has worked! I have now used it for a couple of months and it seems fine.. Certainly there is no wind noise and the roof panel no longer bows up when left in the sun.

Happy days - total cost £9.99!

Well done!