W124 Damp boot
Author
Discussion

jimmyjam

Original Poster:

2,448 posts

248 months

Monday 17th January 2011
quotequote all
My W124 Estate suffers from moisture in the well where the back seats live. The result is that when I unfold the seats in the boot every few weeks, the leather is lightly wet. I remember when looking around at others when I was buying that there was light mould and dampness in the same place. Is this a common problem, can I do anything about it?

alolympic

700 posts

226 months

Monday 17th January 2011
quotequote all
Don't know the cars but check your window rubbers, most water ingress is through split window trim.
Treat the cause first.
In an area that is prone to leak, protect the metalwork from rust, to prevent any damage.

mickyveloce

1,035 posts

265 months

Monday 17th January 2011
quotequote all
It would be worth replacing the rear tailgate seal , rear window seal and test the rear side windows with a jet wash . Mine had a rear tailgate seal split causing the symptoms described . I`d get it sorted asap , damp interiors cost a lot to put right properly

bolide

582 posts

283 months

Monday 17th January 2011
quotequote all
Common problem, I'm afraid. The moisture comes from a variety of places:

  • through the floor if someone has bolted a CD changer through the floor skin
  • through the floor if someone has fixed the heat shield with self-tappers
  • from the drain of the aerial motor
  • from the rear load area windows
The load area windows tend to leak in the rearmost corners. They leak between the seal and the body and, by capillary action, between between the seal and the glass

Pull up the front footwell carpets and see how much water is in there. There is probably a gallon or two of water inside the car and it moves around the car by evaporation & condensation. Windows that mist up immediately after you start the car are the real giveaway

Nick Froome

jimmyjam

Original Poster:

2,448 posts

248 months

Tuesday 18th January 2011
quotequote all
Thanks Nick, that great. Yes, the windows do get heavily condensated. Will check it out, cheers.