How to fix 230 boot leaks (new version)

[00slk]

Ebay, try this number it's a bit cheaper 371886628964

 

[rexemper]

All ordered....from RS in the end. Guaranteed next day delivery. Think I'll need a clear day to do it all so hoping for the weekend to be dry.

 

[rexemper]

Ebay, try this number it's a bit cheaper 371886628964

Saw your post too late! Thanks though.

 

[00slk]

Saw your post too late! Thanks though.

Murphy's Law

 

[John Laidlaw]

Was cheaper than Amazon though!

 

[rexemper]

It was cheaper than Amazon! I'm sure 00slk found some expanding rivets on Ebay far cheaper than the main dealer prices - again too late as I'd already ordered them. There's a lesson be learnt here I think...

 

[John Laidlaw]

It was cheaper than Amazon! I'm sure 00slk found some expanding rivets on Ebay far cheaper than the main dealer prices - again too late as I'd already ordered them. There's a lesson be learnt here I think...

Hmmmm!

 

[00slk]

It was cheaper than Amazon! I'm sure 00slk found some expanding rivets on Ebay far cheaper than the main dealer prices - again too late as I'd already ordered them. There's a lesson be learnt here I think...

Those expanding rivets weren't too good, one keeps popping up and I have to push it back home again every time I go into the boot

 

[rexemper]

Those expanding rivets weren't too good, one keeps popping up and I have to push it back home again every time I go into the boot

Even the new ones from the MB dealer did that for one of the parts in the boot - it constantly popped up and out. In the end, I applied a little bit of glue to keep it in place and its been fine ever since.

 

[rexemper]

I can't believe that I bought the sealer in Dec 2017! I finally got round to actually sealing the boot seals in late October this year and thought I'd share my journey.

Started on a nice bright, sunny day, not too hot with a copy of Malcolm's instructions all printed out and ready with the tube of sealer, a socket set, some cloths and wipes and some white spirit.

First to come of was the main seal under the rear window. The ends were harder than I expected but I tried to take my time and work them off gently. Found out that the left had side had a split in it which you can see in the picture:

So that seal was cleaned thoroughly of all traces of the old sealant and then some glue applied to the split to make it all one piece again. Here's the cleaned seal waiting to be fitted:

Next job was to clean the frame and remove the old sealant. This wasn't that hard, but it took a lot longer and required a lot more effort than I expected. A larger screwdriver helped remove the bits that were really stuck as did lots of white spirit.
Here's the frame when the seal had been removed:

And here it is once cleaned and prepared:

Then it was a case of applying the sealant, refitting the seal and refitting the bolts either side and leaving to dry for a while. Then wipe off any excess.

Next, attention turned to the C pillar seals. These I left in place and ran sealant all around, doing my best to run it all the way round. I also applied sealant up the inside seal of the rear window - I've marked the areas I applied sealant to in red:

I also applied sealant to the parts of the C pillar that you can get to once the roof is down, as far as I could, but I don't have a picture of that.

I noticed that there was a break in the seal of the quarter window so applied sealant there too. Did both sides, but one was definitely worse than the other.

Then it was a case of giving it all some to dry, cleaning off any excess and re-applying around the C pillar seals as there seemed to be more that I could get in there.

Have been meaning to post about this for ages, but work etc. got in the way. Also, wanted to ask, have I missed anything in terms of where I applied the sealant?

Thanks

 

[00slk]

Thanks for your post rexemper.
Regarding missing any bits, you wont know unti it rains or the boot has water in side

 

[rexemper]

Thanks for your post rexemper.
Regarding missing any bits, you wont know unti it rains or the boot has water in side

Hi. Well after all the rain over the past few days, I opened the boot to check and there was a small area that was wet! The annoying thing is that this is the same area that was wet the very first time I noticed water coming in! You should be able to see it clearly in the picture.

So, any thoughts on what areas I should check or re-do?

 

[00slk]

Hi. Well after all the rain over the past few days, I opened the boot to check and there was a small area that was wet! The annoying thing is that this is the same area that was wet the very first time I noticed water coming in! You should be able to see it clearly in the picture.

So, any thoughts on what areas I should check or re-do?

My guess what be directly ubove the wet patch to start off with, I have seen water dripping through the rubber drain hose where it meets the boot/screen seal.
I have the same water leak in the 500 (which I will be investigating tomorrow) it's in the same area as yours only further up by 4"
I'll let you know what I find

 

[drmw]

be careful - if the boot lid is wet, that's just the place where it drips in when opened - check right at the bottom for more water - if not, then you should be ok.

 

[flowrider]

Check the top of the drain, there is a drain pipe just above the wet patch.

 

[00slk]

No chance to check this today, pouring with rain and the cars outside
Hmm probably the best time to check anyway I just don't wont to get wet

 

[00slk]

Donned my coat, went outside, wiped the boot lid off of the layer of water, lifted the boot to see how much water is in the boot, and greeted with this



Not a drop
An SL which fixes its own leaks!!!!

 

[rexemper]

Check the top of the drain, there is a drain pipe just above the wet patch.

Thanks - drain seemed to be clear.

Donned my coat, went outside, wiped the boot lid off of the layer of water, lifted the boot to see how much water is in the boot, and greeted with this

View attachment 47344

Not a drop
An SL which fixes its own leaks!!!!

That's a result! I left a cloth in place since noticing the water late last year and it doesn't seem to have re-appeared so far. Will keep an eye on it and maybe re-check my work once the weather is a bit better/drier.

 

[PHUNN]

The (very useful: thank you) photo of the water-gathering area in the boot is a source of great relief! A trouble shared, and all that.
On my car at least it seems it's an almost inevitable result of opening the boot after rain or a car wash!
'Leathering off' the boot reduces the amount of water, but I keep some kitchen towel or even fast-food outlet (you know who you are...) paper napkins handy for mopping-up purposes.
And regular (paranoid) checks under the boot floor prove there are no reeeeeel leaks going on out of sight.
While on the topic of leaks, the near-side (UK) bonnet vent into the air box has benefited greatly from the attachment of a secondary grill/black plastic mesh of very small dimension to stop the bits of vegetation, petals, leaves etc which otherwise fall in and clog up the water drain. Thank you eBay and the forum member who suggested the cure!

 

[Richie Livo]

For anyone reading this and you do not fancy in doing this yourself, I will do it.

The cost is £40 per hour, and it takes from 2 to 4 hours depending on the state of it. There are no material cost.

One has the choice of watching and talking or you can go down to the sea front and do what you like.

I am not a business any longer, I do it because I can