Mercedes 129 titivation
Discussion
r129sl said:
Next task is to figure out why the boot lid seems to be full of water. I can't see where it is getting in. Perhaps the third stop light? Or could it just be condensation?
Is the water on the boot carpet too? I had this problem a while back. Twice. One was the boot seal. The other was the rear light seals. The rear light seals perished and some small rust holes were present that let quite a lot of water in.Edited by r129sl on Monday 7th February 15:57
You could remove both rear lights to check, about a couple of minutes each side I think.
On the boot seal for the rear lid, we tried putting talcum powder all over it and left it to try and see where it came in, took the seal off, gave the gutter a thorough clean and refitted a new boot seal ( at the time it cost about £150 ) and no other problems. I've also heard someone having a fuel filler neck seal leak too.
Hope this helps and you resolve soon 129. You compose very excellent threads on your lovely cars.
Albert, thank you for this and the kind words. So far as I can tell, it is only the boot lid. When I open the boot, quite a lot of water runs out of the gaps in the boot lid interior trim around the boot hinges. It is quite weird as the water must either defy gravity or be stored up on top of the boot lid interior trim. But how it gets in there is a mystery as that is above the rear lights (new-ish) and also for the most part above the boot lid seal and the third brake light. I need to do some chin scratching.
r129sl said:
Albert, thank you for this and the kind words. So far as I can tell, it is only the boot lid. When I open the boot, quite a lot of water runs out of the gaps in the boot lid interior trim around the boot hinges. It is quite weird as the water must either defy gravity or be stored up on top of the boot lid interior trim. But how it gets in there is a mystery as that is above the rear lights (new-ish) and also for the most part above the boot lid seal and the third brake light. I need to do some chin scratching.
I think I know what your saying, are you saying that everything below the boot lid is dry? Spare wheel well and under all the carpets? But only the rear lid is soaked below the lid but above the lid lining cover which when opened runs away via the hinges towards the hardtop? It does seem odd that and the defying gravity with water being stored where you say. I'm wondering if a part of the lid rests slightly outside of the boot rubber seal and is possibly seeping in. Very difficult remotely without seeing it and I don't have one of these cars anymore to look. I think the mini brake light has a seal? But whilst the boot lid is closed, one would think if it was leaking through that the water would just go to the lowest point it can? Maybe it pools, and over time when you have opened and closed the boot a few times it gives the water chance to spread because of the boot being raised and gravity. One other thing, I know you are hellbent of meticulous maintenance on your cars, have you stripped out the boot linings to check for any holes, inner wings etc where water may have pooled and caused condensation, that's a long shot though? Personally I'd strip all the boot linings out , clean the boot seal and guttering, dry it all, spread a load of talcum powder around the boot seal, 3rd brake light and the emblem areas, get the jet wash out and give it 10 mins. Maybe put some absorbant material inside to trace any seeps. Good luck and hopefully you'll resolve this.
Albert Haddock said:
I think I know what your saying, are you saying that everything below the boot lid is dry? Spare wheel well and under all the carpets? But only the rear lid is soaked below the lid but above the lid lining cover which when opened runs away via the hinges towards the hardtop?
Exactamundo. It is like the water is gathering at the highest point. And there is quite a lot of it. I use a pressure washer to wash the car, so I wonder if that has got something to do with it. I will experiment with the seals and strip out the boot, just I case.r129sl said:
Exactamundo. It is like the water is gathering at the highest point. And there is quite a lot of it. I use a pressure washer to wash the car, so I wonder if that has got something to do with it. I will experiment with the seals and strip out the boot, just I case.
Ok I understand. Narrowing it down to the brake light as others have said, you've had the car for quite some time and you'll know at this sort of age that seals become an issue....Two things strike me, either the rear star badge on the boot or that brake light. Worth stripping down to check. I think this will be a simple fix 129, considering your description of the water ingress staying on the boot lid. Occams razor et al. I suppose to test, remove boot lid lining and blast at the light and badge, if there's water on the lower carpet, then order a brake light. Obviously it's a careful process jet washing a car like this with so many seals and the age too. Damn Merc's eh.The person above on his W211, I've just remembered, same happened with us on our E55 211 2 winters ago, this was cleaned every week with a jet wash and theoretically it's an identical construction on the saloon of that model to your SL.
Haven’t visited this thread in a while but always great catching up with your R129.
Your road trips with the kids really resonate with me and are at least in part what prompted purchase of both my R230 and more recently the E63. I’d really like to take one of the boys to do one or more of the big manufacturer museums in Germany and enjoy continental motoring in the present form. As you say, the future will not afford our kids the same opportunities of freedom and self determination. Or to hear a large capacity V8 being given full beans!
Great to see your SL passing the triple century and that it continues to get the care it deserves. Can’t be many/any others at this kind of mileage visiting the main dealer.
As ever, well played sir.
Your road trips with the kids really resonate with me and are at least in part what prompted purchase of both my R230 and more recently the E63. I’d really like to take one of the boys to do one or more of the big manufacturer museums in Germany and enjoy continental motoring in the present form. As you say, the future will not afford our kids the same opportunities of freedom and self determination. Or to hear a large capacity V8 being given full beans!
Great to see your SL passing the triple century and that it continues to get the care it deserves. Can’t be many/any others at this kind of mileage visiting the main dealer.
As ever, well played sir.
Thanks for the words of encouragement.
The water leak is caused by the failure of the central brake light seal. I noticed the lens was somewhat proud of the surrounding metalwork and moisture could enter easily and plentifully if forced on with the jet wash. It would be fair to say my exploratory investigations were a bit of a failure. New part ordered…
The water leak is caused by the failure of the central brake light seal. I noticed the lens was somewhat proud of the surrounding metalwork and moisture could enter easily and plentifully if forced on with the jet wash. It would be fair to say my exploratory investigations were a bit of a failure. New part ordered…
The new boot lamp just clipped into place and has been perfectly water tight.
More to the point, I have the new hood on the car. I went to KHM in Stuttgart (https://cabrio.de/en) for the hood itself and all the ancillary bits, received wisdom years ago being that they are the best. They are certainly one of the most expensive at about a grand for everything, new cables, new spoiler rubber, everything they offer (not a new headlining, though). The KHM top uses 1.5mm plastic glass for the side windows and 1.25mm for the central window, just like the original. Most others use 1mm glass. My car had had the windows replaced (during my tenure) with 1mm Ultralite BUV and it was unsatisfactory, flapping and banging at high speed and also setting the alarm off in high winds. I paid Angus Kish of www.kishtrim.co.uk a straight £500 to fit it. He reckoned he had a bit of bother with the pre-marked holes not all being in the right place. I am delighted with the job. It is much, much quieter although the noise is slightly deeper at speed. I do not know whether this is down to the new fabric (sans holes) or the thicker glass or both but it really is a transformation. And it really lifts the exterior appearance of the car with the hood up. It is beautiful whereas the old one was worn ragged (like its owner).
More to the point, I have the new hood on the car. I went to KHM in Stuttgart (https://cabrio.de/en) for the hood itself and all the ancillary bits, received wisdom years ago being that they are the best. They are certainly one of the most expensive at about a grand for everything, new cables, new spoiler rubber, everything they offer (not a new headlining, though). The KHM top uses 1.5mm plastic glass for the side windows and 1.25mm for the central window, just like the original. Most others use 1mm glass. My car had had the windows replaced (during my tenure) with 1mm Ultralite BUV and it was unsatisfactory, flapping and banging at high speed and also setting the alarm off in high winds. I paid Angus Kish of www.kishtrim.co.uk a straight £500 to fit it. He reckoned he had a bit of bother with the pre-marked holes not all being in the right place. I am delighted with the job. It is much, much quieter although the noise is slightly deeper at speed. I do not know whether this is down to the new fabric (sans holes) or the thicker glass or both but it really is a transformation. And it really lifts the exterior appearance of the car with the hood up. It is beautiful whereas the old one was worn ragged (like its owner).
Edited by r129sl on Monday 16th May 19:55
Stegel said:
That looks great, well worth it. My 95 SL retains its original plastic windows, they’re almost opaque but intact, and I’m loathe to replace them with the thin stuff and lose the logos, so it’s cause for thought!
Have you tried a polish? Not sure if you follow my 124 Spider thread but I had some amazing results. CharlesdeGaulle said:
The biggest result was with the plastic rear window. Previously it was opaque and milky.
I couldn't get the Renovo stuff that some of you had recommended over here, so got this from the German bay of dreams.
Bloody hell, it's really good. I posted a post-cleaning picture a couple of weeks ago, but the post-polishing one is extraordinary. The plastic isn't new, but it almost looks it.
Looking out:
Looking in:
After taking the photos I did it all again to sort the bits I'd missed. It really is a fantastic product and I am delighted with the results.
I couldn't get the Renovo stuff that some of you had recommended over here, so got this from the German bay of dreams.
Bloody hell, it's really good. I posted a post-cleaning picture a couple of weeks ago, but the post-polishing one is extraordinary. The plastic isn't new, but it almost looks it.
Looking out:
Looking in:
After taking the photos I did it all again to sort the bits I'd missed. It really is a fantastic product and I am delighted with the results.
Thanks CdG, of course I follow your thread - there hasn’t been an update for a while, I hope the Fiat is getting out and about. I’ll order some and give it a try.
ETA: £4 - B&Q of all places!
BM - if CdG’s polish brings about an improvement, I’ll pop some UV protectant on. I have some (I think) Sonax product on the shelf in the garage.
ETA: £4 - B&Q of all places!
BM - if CdG’s polish brings about an improvement, I’ll pop some UV protectant on. I have some (I think) Sonax product on the shelf in the garage.
Edited by Stegel on Monday 16th May 21:52
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