W124 - Where would rain water be leaking from?

[Vectrolosys]

Hello,

I have had an annoying waterleak that I tried to trace today. Basically, my footwells would fill with water (not horrendously) just a small bit in the bottom, sort of in the middle.

Today, I decided to see if I could find the source of the problem.

1 - I removed the battery
2 - I unblocked the drain on the passenger side of the car, going into the inner wing area.
3 - I cleared some leaves from under the heater unit.
4 - I poured hosed down both sides, the windscreen seals and into the central drain area. Each time, water poured out from the correct places and the carpet areas stayed bone dry.
5 - I thoroughly sprayed the door seals, again, bone dry.
6 - I opened the sunroof and poured a jug of water down each drain channel.

At this point, I put all the carpets, centre panels etc back in and called it a day.

My question, it's obviously not the drains. If the heater air intake vents took in water, would water drain out the heater unit, or would it collect and pour in through the floor vents, which run under the carpet and look like they could dump their contents in about the right place?

Thanks in advance,

James

 

[Ian B Walker]

In the centre of the scuttle is a panel you can remove. Under that is a drain hole that bypasses the heater motor. It is not uncommon for these to get blocked up and overlooked.

 

[Vectrolosys]

In the centre of the scuttle is a panel you can remove. Under that is a drain hole that bypasses the heater motor. It is not uncommon for these to get blocked up and overlooked.

Is that the one just below the wiper arm, that literally pulls up? Both channels here are clear, they seem to drain just above the exhaust area from what I could see when water was pouring out.....

 

[BlackC55]

Corrosion under the windscreen?

 

[Vectrolosys]

Corrosion under the windscreen?

I hope not .

Everything seems clean under there, just loads of cobwebs and dust. The A pillars also seem solid from what I am see. The screen was thoroughly doused in water and no leaks to be seen......

The leaks just seem too localised, the same place each time. Inbetween the two, large chassis rail bits which had me thinking that water was pouring out the heater trunking area...

 

[BlackC55]

Do you have AC?

 

[Vectrolosys]

Do you have AC?

Nope, otherwise condensation drains would have been on my list too

 

[e280]

Hi I also have the same problem on my w124 e280 I had at first thought that it was the result of the valet that the car had undergone recently but after drying the floor and the rubber underlay following yesterdays rain it was wet again. I have cleaned the central drain below the wiper and also the side drains by the screen pillars all seems fine with the winscreen seal as well. Can anyone offer any other advice as to where to look please.
Regards,
e280

 

[Druk]

I had this and found the rain was getting past the side window scraper rubbers, dripping onto the vacuum pipes and running through to the A pillars.

 

[Stratman]

Are there any rubber bungs in the footwells? I ask because many moons ago I has a Cavalier in which the passenger floormat decided to become wet for some reason. I checked all the drains, just as you have done, to no avail. Clutching at straws I looked underneath and lo and behold, a hole about 1" x 2" was staring at me. I lifted the mat and carpet to find a displaced rubber bung. I replaced it and the car dried out.
Thinking back, I did recall that just before it became damp I drove through a large puddle somewhat enthusiastically. The wash must have displaced the bung.

 

[e280]

w124 water leaking into car

Well I checked the sunroof drains with coloured water and the water runs out of the front and rear drains on both sides,the same goes with the two windscreen drains water runs out just behind the front wheels on both sides. I an earlier message someone mentioned removing the panel behind the central drain position I have looke but am stumped as to which part he is referring to - any help someone please. I took the car for a drive last night and on hard breaking noticed that the water was transferring from the rear footwell. I remover the rear seat,step plates and lifted the rear carpet (passengers seat needs to be removed but ran out of light) and it was soaked and somewhat smelly !. No sighn of entry no holes in the inner door sill no water in the seat well either the drivers side is dry. The only thing I can think of is that the water is comming in through the nearside of the heater and running through the heater duct two the rear footwell and out under the passengers seat. The water doesnt wet the top of the carpet just the rubber underside I need to find out which parts to remove to access the heater drains please.
E280

 

[MB250TD]

I think that you will find another likely place is from around the rear compartment side windows - usually at the bottom. Feel under the rubber strip. Water from here can find its way into the rear wells and then into the front wells. The metal work under the strip may be bubbles and flakey, preventing the strip from sealing.
Hope this helps.
John

 

[e280]

Water in A pillars

I had this and found the rain was getting past the side window scraper rubbers, dripping onto the vacuum pipes and running through to the A pillars.

Hi,
While attempting to find the entry point for the water I removed the side panel and carpet from the passengers footwell then used my assistant (my son) to pour water across the windsceen and sure enough the water was entering the door post that the door hinges on and running out at the bottom where the cables exit. It would appear that there is a gap where the wing joins to the body as well as two purpose made manufatured holes lower down opposite the battery that the water runs into having overshot the drain position. Should this water not divert to the inner wing area ? not into the door post. Has anyone got a clue - this is the best result so far now I just need you guy's to come up with a cure please.
I will remove the inner wing cover to investigate further tonight.
e280

 

[Druk]

Have you check the A pillar with the door open? The grommet for the wiring isn't displaced perchance? There's maybe another blanking grommet down there somewhere but it's been a while since I had mine. The outer wing is actually cosmetic when it comes to watertightness, there are gaps all over the place but the water shouldn't get through the inner wing. Being an E280 I presume yours is post 95ish? Mine was an early 86 124 and the A pillar had a rust hole under the windscreen trim where an earlier replacement glass had been badly fitted and had damaged the paint. That was a swine to fix.

While attempting to find the entry point for the water I removed the side panel and carpet from the passengers footwell then used my assistant (my son) to pour water across the windsceen

That's a good method of finding leaks and especially in the dark with a torch as that seems to focus where you look.


.

 

[e280]

Water leak

I didnt notice any grommet at all there are some in place at the rear of the bulkhead rhs of the battery bay but these seem sound. When I removed the foot well side panel there are two rectangular cut outs and an oval one at floor level where the cables come out none have any form of grommet you can see and feel the cables and pipes inside the panel.
I am of the opinion that the inner wing cover has been displaced some how and is letting water in. I cant wait now after all this searching to find the cause and fix it - fingers crossed. Have you any idea how to remove the inner wing cover I have seen a few bolts and have ordered a workshop manual off Amazon to help.
Thanks for your interest I will let you know what I find.
e280 6/6/1995

 

[e280]

Water leaking into car

I have found the entry point (on my car 1995 e280 w124)and I hope this info will be usefull to other e class owners.
Under the bonnet just to the right of the pull up drain the section of rain gulley is removeable. Disconnect the right hand drain pipe and remove the battery splash sheild and the rubber seal that just clips onto the edge ( you will need to put the bonnet in the highest position) lift the windscreen rubber to find 2 no self tapping screws remove these then where the gutter joins together there is a white clip draw this towards the engine and that section of gutter can be removed. The metal strip that runs from the front wing to the back window just clips into place start at the rear window and gently unclip it towards the front wing.On my particular car there was some corrosion and a definite gap between all local connecting body parts. Once cleaned dried and rust proofed I sealed the gap with a non toxic weather proof sealant and now have dry carpets at last. Hope this helps I know that not all cars are the same but it worked for me.
e280

I didnt notice any grommet at all there are some in place at the rear of the bulkhead rhs of the battery bay but these seem sound. When I removed the foot well side panel there are two rectangular cut outs and an oval one at floor level where the cables come out none have any form of grommet you can see and feel the cables and pipes inside the panel.
I am of the opinion that the inner wing cover has been displaced some how and is letting water in. I cant wait now after all this searching to find the cause and fix it - fingers crossed. Have you any idea how to remove the inner wing cover I have seen a few bolts and have ordered a workshop manual off Amazon to help.
Thanks for your interest I will let you know what I find.
e280 6/6/1995

 

[Smiley]

Great, do you have any pics to show what you mean - I am struggling to envisage the piece that runs from somewhere under the bonnet to the rear window of the car?

 

[e280]

Hi,
The metal strip covers the joint for the roof to side panels and runs from the front wing at the side of the windscreen up over the roof to the rear window on both sides.
Once this has been removed along with the side drain the joint in question can be accessed, sorry if my earlier description was difficult to understand but I was still chuffed to bits to have found and cured my long running problem and the car even smells better for it. If I get a chance I will take some photo's.
e280