[sirguy]

Please help me!! My 1989SEC has a water leak. Every time it rains, the "pockets" of the trunk get wet. I took it to my mechanic, who unclogged the seal, but the left and right pockets are still getting wet. The rest of the trunk is dry as a camels back. I had to place heavy towles into the pockets to soak up the water. The trunk smells like wet a dog. Any ideas? I'm confused!! The trunk itself does not get wet, but the side pockets are soaked. Thanks for your pending help in this matter, Guy.

 

[MBL87560SEC]

Hi sirguy,

From what I understand, the back glass seal on the SEC is prone to leakage. I do not know where that water shows up, others will - for sure.

You might try a search up top for this issue.

I'd not rule out sunroof drains.....

Any recent bodywork on the car?

Does the leak occur if just sitting, or when the car is driven?
I'll look around a bit & get back.

http://www.mbnz.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=301025&posts=3&hl=sunroof+drains

Cheers, MBL

 

[AxelWulff]

Sir Guy,

I agree, it sounds like the classic lower frame of rear window leak.

I had water in the trunk of my '90 560 SEC and after a lot of fiddling concluded the source of the water had to be the lower part of the rear window frame.

The repair itself is not too bad. Mine cost me $1,200 at a good body shop.

However, you have to remove the rear window in order to access the frame and it can easily crack or delaminate. Replacing the rear window is about $1,000.[xx(]

I was lucky and they managed to save my rear window. No guarantees though.

 

[jhodg5ck]

Yup, get that tended too asap.. The sooner you get to it the less rust you'll have to fix. Find a shop that will repair the window properly and not just slap it together w/ a bunch of bondo. Pay a glass guy to remove the rear window, it's worth it to save it. Replace the seal and use a genuine, no aftermarket.

Jonathan

 

[sirguy]

Thank you very much for the advice re. my problem... Will the insurance company cover this problem?

 

[AxelWulff]

Insurance coverage.

The rear window - Maybe, if the window was broken BEFORE you tried to fix the leak.

The rust R&R - Nope.

 

[Naomilla2.0]

sirguy - 2/19/2005 1:48 PM

Thank you very much for the advice re. my problem... Will the insurance company cover this problem?

Park under a sagging branch after heavy snow or during high wind. Be sure to position your car precisely so that the falling object will smash the rear windshield - nothing more, nothing less.

 

[mramay]

Check the seals around the tail lights, they can leak. Get in the trunk and close it and have a close friend (one that won't leave you in the trunk!) hose down the car to find the leak. Could be a split seal for the trunk lid too.
Also, I found that using a car cover keeps the majority of the water out of the car. Instead of lots of water in the trunk, a car cover will sluice off the majority and you'll end up with much less in the trunk until you fix it. Go buy a plastic container at the local grocery store for the wet cover when you put it in the trunk. I found one about 16" x 22" x 6" that works just fine to hold a wet car cover.

 

[Guest]

Yes I would start by snugging up tail lights.
Also could be the trunk seal

 

[sirguy]

Thanks for all the help!! The problem was with the tail lights. My mech said sealent should do the trick.