W211 tailgate letting in water!

ahoythere

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My E-class estate is letting in water and I know not how! After heavy rain, or if I use the jet washer, the next time I open the tailgate (see pic), water leaks out from the inside of the tailgate where indicated by the arrow (see pic). Sometimes water leaks from the right side and sometimes from the left.

Does anyone have any idea how/where water is getting in and what the fix is please?

The rear lights look fine from the outside (i.e. no condensation visible). I'm wondering whether water is getting in via the gap at the bottom of the rear window?

Many thanks as ever.
 

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EmilysDad

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Water was entering the inside of the tailgate of my R Class via the screws holding the 'chrome' strip across the back of the car. On my car, the stainless screws were screwed into 2 ally inserts riveted to the tailgate and over the years, the inserts had corroded & were loose. I removed it, along with the outer handle (which screwed into the chrome strip from inside) ran silicon sealant along the rubber gaskets and anywhere else I thought might help. I just used 2 stainless nuts & bolts instead of the inserts & Hey Presto ..... my tailgate is now dry.
Obviously all the trim from the tailgate needs removing to access the screws
 
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ahoythere

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Hi EmilysDad,

Thank you very much for your response. It didn't occur to me that the chrome strip may be the point of water ingress.

The two torx screws holding the chrome strip in place on my E-class (see pic) are screwed in tightly (i.e. not loose). Even so, if the strip is resting on a rubber seal, then maybe this has failed and is allowing water in? I removed the two screws in an attempt to remove the strip but it seems held fast. Any tips on how to remove the strip?
 

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Wighty

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Hi EmilysDad,

Thank you very much for your response. It didn't occur to me that the chrome strip may be the point of water ingress.

The two torx screws holding the chrome strip in place on my E-class (see pic) are screwed in tightly (i.e. not loose). Even so, if the strip is resting on a rubber seal, then maybe this has failed and is allowing water in? I removed the two screws in an attempt to remove the strip but it seems held fast. Any tips on how to remove the strip?
If I remember , the whole part of the lid below the MB badge come off with the chrome section attached , you have to remove the inside of the boot lid lining to release it.
 

EmilysDad

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Hi EmilysDad,

Thank you very much for your response. It didn't occur to me that the chrome strip may be the point of water ingress.

The two torx screws holding the chrome strip in place on my E-class (see pic) are screwed in tightly (i.e. not loose). Even so, if the strip is resting on a rubber seal, then maybe this has failed and is allowing water in? I removed the two screws in an attempt to remove the strip but it seems held fast. Any tips on how to remove the strip?

It didn't occur to me either. I ended up shearing one of the screws when trying to remove them. On mine, the strip is also held in place by two more screws that are accessed to from the inside & also hold the outer boot release handle. Has your car similar screws? The tailgate trim panel is held by plastic pegs that just push into holes on the tailgate. This kind thing, though I believe there are different sizes. (It gets expensive if you buy from Merc) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10PCs-TRIM-PANEL-CLIPS-FASTENER-6-8MM-WINDOW-BOOT-BODY-CAR-MERCEDES-BENZ/332609809662?fits=Car+Make:Mercedes-Benz&hash=item4d7116ecfe:g:3UQAAOSwFnFV9TM- but plastic trim removal tools aren't expensive. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Plastic-...684812?hash=item4d71ad9bcc:g:dQUAAOSwpcBan7wA

Just had another look at your picture. The 2 screws showing on your car are much further apart on my car, in fact where they are, is about where the release handle on mine is held. I'd reckon there are another 2 screws nearer each end.
 

EmilysDad

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Took mine off a few months ago to check the lock mechanism . Not sure if the op has a facelift w211 same as mine though ,
Are we both talking about the same part? I'd assume the inner, carpeted panel will come off from inside the car
 

EmilysDad

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Took mine off a few months ago to check the lock mechanism . Not sure if the op has a facelift w211 same as mine though ,
Are we both talking about the same part? I'd assume the inner, carpeted panel will come off from inside the car :)
 

Wighty

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Are we both talking about the same part? I'd assume the inner, carpeted panel will come off from inside the car :)
I would say so with the inner lining , I'm referring to the part in the picture , which didn't on my car seperate from its surroundings . It remained attached to the rear section of bodywork that included the number plate section .
 

EmilysDad

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I would say so with the inner lining , I'm referring to the part in the picture , which didn't on my car seperate from its surroundings . It remained attached to the rear section of bodywork that included the number plate section .

Ok .... that surprise me. All my painted bit is metal tailgate.
 
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ahoythere

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Thanks EmilysDad & Wighty,

I'm guessing that I need to remove the plastic/carpeted trim on the inside of the tailgate (by removing the plastic pegs) in order to remove the chrome strip, in addition to the two visible torx screws.

I'll give it a try and report back...
 

mercmancdi

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Thanks EmilysDad & Wighty,

I'm guessing that I need to remove the plastic/carpeted trim on the inside of the tailgate (by removing the plastic pegs) in order to remove the chrome strip, in addition to the two visible torx screws.

I'll give it a try and report back...

Hi how did you get on did you get the strip off and did you solve the problem.
 
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ahoythere

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I gave up. I removed the plastic pegs and then got stuck - I couldn't figure out a way to easily remove the carpeted trim and didn't want to end up with a bag of bits.

I will probably take my car into my local MB specialist at some point and get them to investigate...
 

mercmancdi

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Can anyone see the irony of the OPs username and the problem he has...?
:)

Maybe not ideal but I released chrome trim with wooden clothes pets slit in 2 just enough to let the end of the mastic gun in and sealed once and for all , but my water appeared to be coming in from actual boot lid
So I removed plugs at sides of boot lid and reseated them in mastic.
Cars still on stands in garage so will be next week before I am sure it’s fixed properly
 

mercmancdi

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Maybe not ideal but I released chrome trim with wooden clothes pets slit in 2 just enough to let the end of the mastic gun in and sealed once and for all , but my water appeared to be coming in from actual boot lid
So I removed plugs at sides of boot lid and reseated them in mastic.
Cars still on stands in garage so will be next week before I am sure it’s fixed properly
Cloths pegs not pets that would be cruel.
 

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