My 230E leaks water into the rear O/S footwell? It did leak in the front and rear N/S footwells before I sealed the sunroof(until I repair the drain pipes in the summer), and flushed out the drains under the bonnet. Once I'd dried the footwell and stripped out the carpets I've found a rusty hole 4" to the rear of the lower drivers seat belt mount? It looks like water is entering from the sill? Any ideas?:?
W123 strange water leak problem??
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What model 123 is the car
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1984 230E. I've taken the drain bungs out of the sills on both sides and they are damp inside but not full up. The O/S rear footwell is the only one getting wet now, in the recent rain I suppose it gained half a pint? I just can't workout where it's coming from, I'll try to get out with the hose and flood every possible place it could be getting in???
I had the same problem, couldn't figure it out where it came from, just drilled a whole into to the floor, put some plastic sheeting under the carpets and no more troubles after that.
But I agree it is not the elegant solution!
But I agree it is not the elegant solution!
robh
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w123 water ingress
MY W123 300TD has recently suffered this problem and finding the source has driven me mad. After many hours and sleepless nights I have found the cause. Decay around the drain hole under the battery tray. This has led to a pool in the rear passenger footwell (it flows through the bulkhead and the wiring chanels in the floor from front to back). The driver's side leak was the most difficult to locate but turned out to be another area of decay around a similar drain hole on this side but was almost impossible to spot as it was hidden below the wiring harness grommet. A very inaccessable spot.
As welding in these areas is difficult because of access and the proximity of flamables on the inside of the bulkhead, I resorted to adhesive/sealants (Sikaflex) to bond and seal the small patch that was required. When doing this it is important not to seal off the drain hole or if this can't be avoided, it should be possible, with care, to drill another.
The catchment area for these drain holes is considerable. Water from the roof, bonnet and windscreen can all make its way to these points, which accounts for the rapid build up of water within the car if the problem I have described is not rectified. The regular inspection and checking these drains will now be a regular part of my servicing.
MY W123 300TD has recently suffered this problem and finding the source has driven me mad. After many hours and sleepless nights I have found the cause. Decay around the drain hole under the battery tray. This has led to a pool in the rear passenger footwell (it flows through the bulkhead and the wiring chanels in the floor from front to back). The driver's side leak was the most difficult to locate but turned out to be another area of decay around a similar drain hole on this side but was almost impossible to spot as it was hidden below the wiring harness grommet. A very inaccessable spot.
As welding in these areas is difficult because of access and the proximity of flamables on the inside of the bulkhead, I resorted to adhesive/sealants (Sikaflex) to bond and seal the small patch that was required. When doing this it is important not to seal off the drain hole or if this can't be avoided, it should be possible, with care, to drill another.
The catchment area for these drain holes is considerable. Water from the roof, bonnet and windscreen can all make its way to these points, which accounts for the rapid build up of water within the car if the problem I have described is not rectified. The regular inspection and checking these drains will now be a regular part of my servicing.
Alex Crow
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thanks for that robh.
and for anyone else in the future - have a look in the area of the bonnet hinges, they have a compartment all of their own. these have a drain in the bottom which is highly prone to blocking, especially the n/s as it has a vacuum pipe pass through it. if you have a nice 123check these drains regularly, and you will avoid much grief.
and for anyone else in the future - have a look in the area of the bonnet hinges, they have a compartment all of their own. these have a drain in the bottom which is highly prone to blocking, especially the n/s as it has a vacuum pipe pass through it. if you have a nice 123check these drains regularly, and you will avoid much grief.
Similar leak problem
I have a similar rear passenger footwell problem. I have no obvious leakage in the front area. The windshield seal is new 5 years ago. The car is '85 300TD. I've covered the sunroof so it's protected from the rain while I'm leak checking. The "rocker" drains are open and the inside may be damp but not full of water. The drains under the hinges are clear. I see two rubber larhe hoses coming from the firewall that I think drain the cowl vents that are not plugged but I don't see much water coming from them. Qustion: How are the cowl vent screens removed? Looks to me as if they are held in place with square plastic pins but these don't seem to come out when I pry on them. I want to make sure the drains are clear before they enter the rubber hoses.
Looks to me as if the water may be seeping in at the bottom of the B pillar.
What else can I check? Does the fact that I see no water up front eliminate anything up front?
Bob
I have a similar rear passenger footwell problem. I have no obvious leakage in the front area. The windshield seal is new 5 years ago. The car is '85 300TD. I've covered the sunroof so it's protected from the rain while I'm leak checking. The "rocker" drains are open and the inside may be damp but not full of water. The drains under the hinges are clear. I see two rubber larhe hoses coming from the firewall that I think drain the cowl vents that are not plugged but I don't see much water coming from them. Qustion: How are the cowl vent screens removed? Looks to me as if they are held in place with square plastic pins but these don't seem to come out when I pry on them. I want to make sure the drains are clear before they enter the rubber hoses.
Looks to me as if the water may be seeping in at the bottom of the B pillar.
What else can I check? Does the fact that I see no water up front eliminate anything up front?
Bob
Alex Crow
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those square plastic pins have a central part which needs to be pushed right through before they will come out. do check the sill drains for blockages too.
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Water ingress seems to be a massive 123 problem - Just spent a month welding up 4 massive holes in the floor of my coupe, only to have a look underneath the saloon and find this one.
Check all your water drains!!
Check all your water drains!!
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at least the water can drain back out through that hole!
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Yes that is the russian model. the water keeps rushing in and out..
Yes bottom drains are clear. I'll check the cowl vents tomorrow, I know what you're directing me to do. Didn't know whether to push or pull:^) I'm going to test all the drain points using a hose when the sun comes out tomorrow. I had several floorboard rusted through holes I repaired a few years ago with POR15. They're holding up OK. The leaks I'm getting occur with the car sitting in the driveway when the rain is heavy. So far I'm isolating it to the passenger front section, could be the windshield but seal was replaced~5 years ago and that fixed a leak on the driver side. At the time there was no damage to the metal around the body/windshield seam. I'll pull the battery tomorrow to check the firewall thoroughly.
Bob
Bob
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Do not forget that I give out all of the drain clearing papers for all these cars
found source
Well I pulled out the passenger seat so that I could get a better look, watered the front windshield and discovered that the water leak is along the bottom of the channel next to the plate that holds the seat bolt anchor. Looks as if the inside wall of the rocker panel has rusted. The rubber drain adapter is fine but apparently water runs down this channel and leaks into the footwell rather than draining out the plug because of the lip on the plug. Can anyone tell me how where the water drains into this channel in the first place? Since it has a drain plug I'm guessing water is supposed to get into the channel. I'll patch it together with POR15 epoxies, but looks as if I'm on borrowed time since the body integrety must be compromised by the rusted out areas.
Bob
Well I pulled out the passenger seat so that I could get a better look, watered the front windshield and discovered that the water leak is along the bottom of the channel next to the plate that holds the seat bolt anchor. Looks as if the inside wall of the rocker panel has rusted. The rubber drain adapter is fine but apparently water runs down this channel and leaks into the footwell rather than draining out the plug because of the lip on the plug. Can anyone tell me how where the water drains into this channel in the first place? Since it has a drain plug I'm guessing water is supposed to get into the channel. I'll patch it together with POR15 epoxies, but looks as if I'm on borrowed time since the body integrety must be compromised by the rusted out areas.
Bob
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With an email address I can sent the drain paper the could well help
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