W124 Estate Load Area Leak

[pdr300D]

Hi all,

The current weather conditions have helped confirm my suspicion that there is a leak from the seals around the rear load area windows (on both sides).

Does anyone know how I can repair this? Should I replace the seals? Is it a DIY job? are there alternatives that I should consider?

Thanks

phil

 

[Ian B Walker]

The purists amongst us will say replace the seals. Or you could seal them with silicon under the seal. i.e. pull the seal outwards and inject silicone sealant under the rubber, wiping off any residue before it sets.

 

[bolide]

The seals don't "leak" per se - water finds a way round them. Normally it finds its way in via capillary action, via the back lower corner of the window as the seal creeps away from the bodywork and via the aerial mast

There is a product you can buy that hardens on exposure to air. If you inject it into the seal it should find the air gaps & seal them. The bottom corner can sometimes be cured with mastic but you have to stop the capillary action which means making it air & water tight. Not that easy

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Number_Cruncher]

While the topic is live, does anyone know of a list of W124 estate water leak locations?

On mine, I'm fairly sure I need to remove the dash to re-seal the Diavia heater box to bulkhead seal.

I'm also sure I need to do something with the estate rear windows, but I'm also suspicious of the rear passenger doors.

Perhaps I should re-phrase my question - are there any parts of my W124 estate that I don't need to worry about water leaks from!

 

[Dieselman]

Perhaps I should re-phrase my question - are there any parts of my W124 estate that I don't need to worry about water leaks from!

Hopefully the driver..

 

[pdr300D]

There is a product you can buy that hardens on exposure to air. If you inject it into the seal it should find the air gaps & seal them.

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

Thanks Nick, do you have a name for the product - and where I could find it?

-phil

 

[bolide]

Thanks Nick, do you have a name for the product - and where I could find it?

-phil

I can't remember. It's in my toolbox so I'll have a look

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[ms500]

I have the same problem with mine, there seems to be a bit of rust under the window seals.

 

[pdr300D]

Any info on that product name, or alternatives?

-Phil

 

[SilverSaloon]

While the topic is live, does anyone know of a list of W124 estate water leak locations?

well i have had some water in the drivers footwell in mine recently. Its hardly much really so havnt bothered investigating until now.

I have checked the drains on either side of the windscreen and they arnt blocked.

i've checked all other footwells and all are fine apart from the drivers side.

i've ensured the pipe that comes out from the centre console carpet goes down into its hole correctly. It was slightly loose so i pushed it down further but i dont think its my problem. Anyone know what comes though this pipe?

i've removed the carpet and dried out the foam inside the house. left the car without the carpet in it for a few days.

i washed the car last night.... including spraying with hosepipe..... thismorning, still no water in the footwell.... so i assume it must be coming from underneath?? it hasnt rained yet so cant check!!

 

[Ade B]

I think there is also a drain in the centre under the wiper motor housing.

I need to flush all mine as the front of the car is parked nose into a hedge which has been flowering with a gusto - car is covered with bits of sticky flower and pollen.. including all the front scuttle gutters, wiper blade etc..

Ade

 

[bolide]

Most W124s have a few pints of water inside them. Misted-up rear windows after you start the car & drive away is a real giveaway

The only cure is to run a dehumidifier inside for a few days then park it in the sun with the windows open. Once it's dry inside you can start chasing down the leaks

IMHO quite a lot of the water is condensation that works its way down to floor level and sits under the mats

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[SilverSaloon]

The only cure is to run a dehumidifier inside for a few days then park it in the sun with the windows open. Once it's dry inside you can start chasing down the leaks

IMHO quite a lot of the water is condensation that works its way down to floor level and sits under the mats

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

hmm, this is probably my problem then as the water doesnt seem enough to be from a leak - i would expect much more water there..... but then again, if it was this, then why only in drivers footwell?

i had actually noticed a previous post by yourself Nick, about using a dehumidifier..... and i purchased one the other day to do this. Just got to find a few days where the car wont be used...

 

[Smiley]

I had condensation problems in a e320 cabriolet - completely fixed by replacing the air con pollen filters - there are two of them in the bulkhead area near the wiper motor; by the state of them they were the original 10 yr old items - they seem to be overlooked on servicing. Bit of a dismantling (simple) job to get to them but well worth doing. The car is completely different in the mornings now. Maybe this is the cause of the condensation, then the damp, then the wet carpet, more condensation and so on?

 

[SilverSaloon]

just looked at this again and noticed that the rear footwell (drivers side) is really wet - soaked carpet especially around where the drivers seat is bolted to the floor and the drivers footwell. I suspect as its wetter in the rear the source of the leak is back there. The boot area (where the washer fluid bottle is etc) seems dry

are there any drain things to check for around this area? i've read through most of the water leak threads but no one has actually stated where the drains actually are...

 

[Dieselman]

I'd be checking door seals and rear wheel arches for corrosion.

 

[Dieselman]

Thanks Nick, do you have a name for the product - and where I could find it?

-phil

Not sure but I think Nick means 'seak & seal'

 

[SilverSaloon]

OK, taken a look at this last night....

when i brake the car, the water sloshes in from the rear footwell into the front footwell....

- removed the 4 drain-grommets from each corner of the floorpan (near to each jack point) and given them a wash and refitted
- drain grommet in boot area (next to jack/washer bottle etc)
- sprayed water around the doors but no leaks as far as i can see.

I also soaked up some water with a car sponge but the sponge of the rear carpet has absorbed a huge amount of water so i think i'll have to remove the rear carpet to deal with that properly.

my question is are there any other drain points around the car i should check that could affect this.

also any idea whether i can get the rear carpet out without removing the centre console? i realise the seats will need to come out + seatbelt fastenings, bits of side trim etc.

thanks

derek

 

[SilverSaloon]

hi

GOOD NEWS - My estate - a bit on an update on this - i've now traced the leak to the rear corner of the drivers-side boot window (where the aeriel is).

It appears to have been injected with silicon before to cure a leak so i plan on getting rid of all that and re-doing it.

i also will seal up the aeriel aswell as it is coming through there aswell (abliet slowly).

the carpet seems to have dried up now - i think i must have cleared the drain hole or something so the water isnt building up as bad.


BAD NEWS - boot area of the saloon also appears to be leaking badly!!

thanks

derek

 

[SilverSaloon]

OK, i bought some gutter and roof sealant from HomeBase yesterday - its black and is for use outdoors so I guess its OK to use.

so i've applied this to under the rubber seals and also around the aeriel mount for good measure.

The car is in my garage at the moment anyway so it wont be exposed to the rain until its fully dried.

Hopefully this will be the end to my leak!!

The rear carpet seems to have dried up pretty well on its own - although i suspect the foam backing is still holding a bit - will be running a dehumidifier in it once the sealant has set

thanks

Derek