R231 SL Drainage Holes / Leak / Water Ingress

[paw777]

I was hoping that somebody with an R231 could check something for me please...

As per the photo, do you have a piece of foam in one of your roof seals?

I'm in the process of trying to identify the source of water ingress in my 2013 R231 SL350, and came across one drainage channel thanks to the R230 thread here.

Any other thoughts on where drainage holes / channels may exist or where the water may be coming from would be much appreciated!

TIA good people!

 

[Monday]

I was hoping that somebody with an R231 could check something for me please...

As per the photo, do you have a piece of foam in one of your roof seals?

I'm in the process of trying to identify the source of water ingress in my 2013 R231 SL350, and came across one drainage channel thanks to the R230 thread here.

Any other thoughts on where drainage holes / channels may exist or where the water may be coming from would be much appreciated!

TIA good people!

Yours is the first post I have seen about water leaks on an R231. MB are generally reckoned to have learned from the R230 and got it sorted. My R231 will be coming out of hibernation shortly and I can have a look. But a suggestion in the meantime would be to lubricate all the roof seals with Gummi Pledge (spelling?) or similar. Search for old posts on here by Television (RIP) dealing with R230 roof seals for information on propping the roof partly open whilst you do it. Lubrication will help the roof to close tighter.

 

[mioba]

Lubrication will help the seals remain supple ensuring a better seal.

 

[samannan]

Hi @paw777 , I have the foam on my R231, but it is a little higher up in the surrounding rubber (I.E. not so visible). The lubrication is fantastic for reducing rattles

 

[paw777]

Thanks everyone. Applied Krytox a few times but still not done the trick! Off to a specialist next..

 

[ajlsl600]

B, hell, wud have hoped, especially given prices that benz had sorted this after r230!! I was lucky with mine, never had leak, did the mod anyway.

 

[paw777]

B, hell, wud have hoped, especially given prices that benz had sorted this after r230!! I was lucky with mine, never had leak, did the mod anyway.

Hi bud, which mod did you do?

I’ve taken it to one place so far who said that the roof arm panels probably need to have the seals rebonded. It’s pricey.

Going to try hosing the car down this weekend to see if i can identify any more clues!

 

[ajlsl600]

The is a mod to stop r230 boot seals leaking originally posted I believe by malcolm sadly he is no longer with us but helped Many people out.
I you search under boot seals, malcolm or boot seal mod u shud find it.
I can't asy if it resolves the 231 but it's likely similar. It's ****** desperate that benz have not sorted it out. If relevant? I hope they at least lifted the plse pump enough so water don't get in and wreck that. I put a 10mm foam pad in a zip bag under mine. But as said I was lucky never had water in boot. Tho water runs off back of boot sides and down inner trim! I kept 2 small towels each side of mine to catch this.

 

[paw777]

The is a mod to stop r230 boot seals leaking originally posted I believe by malcolm sadly he is no longer with us but helped Many people out.
I you search under boot seals, malcolm or boot seal mod u shud find it.
I can't asy if it resolves the 231 but it's likely similar. It's ****** desperate that benz have not sorted it out. If relevant? I hope they at least lifted the plse pump enough so water don't get in and wreck that. I put a 10mm foam pad in a zip bag under mine. But as said I was lucky never had water in boot. Tho water runs off back of boot sides and down inner trim! I kept 2 small towels each side of mine to catch this.

Ahh thank you I'll take a look. So you did the R230 mod to the R231, just to clarify?

Thank you

 

[ajlsl600]

No. I had the r230 v12 I did the mod on that as a preventative. I am saying if you find the mod. You can see if its vertiualy the same.

 

[Blobcat]

Have a look in the below section of the forum, quite a few relevant threads.

DIY: Bodywork, Wheels & Trim

Including Paintwork, Tyres & Interior

forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

 

[PHUNN]

Hi Guys,
I'm about to take delivery of an R231 (replacing my R230) so was interested to read about LEAKS!
Any relevant news on the topic (or any other) would be most welcome; 'Fore-warned and fore-armed....' etc.
In particular, does the R231 have the same 'AIr Box' arrangement next to the engine bay/beneath the near-side (UK) top-of-the-bonnet grill?

 

[rorywquin]

Thanks everyone. Applied Krytox a few times but still not done the trick! Off to a specialist next..

Sure it was genuine Krytox?

Which one did you use, where did you get it & what did you pay?

 

[rorywquin]

Hi Guys,
I'm about to take delivery of an R231 (replacing my R230) so was interested to read about LEAKS!
Any relevant news on the topic (or any other) would be most welcome; 'Fore-warned and fore-armed....' etc.
In particular, does the R231 have the same 'AIr Box' arrangement next to the engine bay/beneath the near-side (UK) top-of-the-bonnet grill?

I had mine for 6 years (Facelift) no issues. If you go onto this (USA) site they have a big and active R231 group.

MBWorld.org Forums

The top destination for Mercedes and AMG discussion, news, and rumors

mbworld.org

 

[PHUNN]

Very many thanks

 

[SL63 Mark]

In particular, does the R231 have the same 'AIr Box' arrangement next to the engine bay/beneath the near-side (UK) top-of-the-bonnet grill?

No. The 231 has a much better design fortunately. MB fixed a lot of the R230 problems.

Mine has never leaked.

 

[PHUNN]

Magic news! Thank you.
Must confess, my R230 did not leak. Maybe the 2008 'facelift' helped?
I used the 'mesh' solution on the top of the air box, rather than the proposed 'circumcision' of the bottom of the drain pipe in the wheel arch.
The boot seals seemed to be OK throughout 6 years ownership (altho' maybe they had been 'fixed' by a previous owner) and the judicious application of AutoGlym vinyl and rubber care (you get more product than with Gummi Pfledge) kept all the seals flexible and the creaks to a minimum.
Mind you, opening the boot after a rain shower, or a car wash, always prompted speedy mopping.
I well remember my signifiucant introduction to the delights of a power boot when our newly-acquired Mk2 350 SLK had been out in the snow.
The resulting avalanche from the rising boot lid was deposited on the back window and slid gracefully and malevolently off the glass surface into the boot....

I've looked a rorywquin's kindly offered American web page and it does not contain too many horrors.
We shall see what tomorrow brings!