Next SLK Problem. Water in the foot wells.

[Brian23]

To day I found that there is a lot of water in the footwells of my wife's SLK 230 1999. It has been raining a lot today but it may not be from that. There is a vent of some kind behind the glove compartment that is also wet. I removed this and the water seems to be coming from above there somewhere. Any ideas? If this was her MGF I would know tha it was coming from the fresh air intake. Also while we are on the subject oft water/drains. The rear boot rim drains are blocked. I have pushed down some strimmer cable, but cannot see where it drains as it seems to be blocked at the bottom. Are the large rubber drain vents at the backs of the rear wheels where the water should come out?
Brian

 

[television]

The water will be coming from the air intake box in front of the screen, and the grill will need to be removed to clear out.

I have the instructions for most,,but I can print off for you if you will need them

 

[television]

I will also check on the rear drains if they are listed

 

[Brian23]

That fixed it.

Just been out and done that. The near side and middle was easy, even though there was a lake there, but the O/S took a bit of doing. Wipers took some getting off. Thanks very much for that. Someone else must have tried before as there was a screwdriver under the grid.

 

[television]

Pleased about that see what I have on the rear drain

 

[doneo50]

The water will be coming from the air intake box in front of the screen, and the grill will need to be removed to clear out.

I have the instructions for most,,but I can print off for you if you will need them

hi just saw your info regarding water coming in on slk. it would be great if you could print off instructions for me as i think this is my problem
richarddoneo@btconnect.com

thanks in anticipation

richard

 

[Cherrydown]

SLK230 - Drying The Foot Well Carpet:

Unblocking the drains I found is relatively simple but you may need an extraction tool to get the wipers arms off easily - without risk of peripheral damage.

However drying the car out after curing the leak will then be the problem.

This is how I did it:

Get one of those hoses that attach to the vacuum cleaner to clean behind radiators (recently Aldi or Lidl were selling them at £2.99).

Attach it to a wet and dry vacuum or (as in my case) a carpet cleaner (Vax) making sure you have a good seal at the connection using something like Gaffa Tape to maintain maximum suction.

Vacuum as much of the water out as you possibly can pushing the vacuum end as far under the carpet towards the seat as you possibly can especially along the pressed out gullies that hold water.

What helps is cutting two pieces of plastic waste pipe about a foot each long and passing them either side under the carpet to raise it and let air in and for easy access with the vacuum.

After you have got out all the water you can preferably put the car in a garage and with the roof on (having removed the foam piece under the carpet in the foot well).

Then put a thermostatically controlled fan heater (a flat one seemed best) in the foot well facing the front and raised on blocks and angled so the air travels towards the foot well and deflects under the carpet into the void you have created with the waste pipe. Since the waste pipe in hollow it can also travel through it.

The fan heater should be on a low heat setting so it cuts in and out frequently as the heat builds up and give a regular flow of air. This is preferable to a high setting were the interior of the car gets very hot and there is no more air flow until it cools down.

If you have a dehumidifier putting that in the car will also help - but is not essential.

If you need to use the car while it is still wet/damp leave the carpet folded back (prop if necessary) and direct all the heater air to the foot wells closing all face vents.

Resume using the fan heater when you can.

You will find that the fan heater will dry all the bits under the metal of the foot well (mainly audio electrics - I think) and the heater box and glove box area above.

Leave at least one window partly open to aid the airflow.

By using this method it took about 10 days to dry out my wife's SLK230 which had blocked front drains and at least two inches of water in the passengers foot well.

BTW I never left the heater on overnight to be safe but I did leave the dehumidifier on inside the car as it was only 12 volts.

The drying process is also helped by opening the bonnet so warm air can find its way out easily through the heater air intake.

My wife's car was totally dried out and the carpets replaced back in position.

I guess if you do not dry it out properly you may get a musty smell that you will never get rid of.

Anyway I hope this helps anybody experiencing the same problem.

 

[Brian23]

Thank you