Author Topic: Water Drains - Summary Attempt  (Read 8046 times)

Pawel66

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Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« on: January 05, 2020, 12:16:28 »
I am enclosing a summary of some of the basics I found on the Forum on this topic. Maybe someone will find it useful. If you care to look at it and find anything that is incorrect or if you can contribute - that would be lovely.

Just did that as I need to go around the car and make sure all the holes are indeed holes...

Perhaps it is just me, but going through old posts is sometimes difficult as links to "index" do not work. So I thought a brief compilation wold be useful.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
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JamesL

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2020, 13:45:15 »
Good idea Pawel and a very important one for those of us who have rain...
James L
Oct69 RHD 280 in DB906 with cognac leather

ja17

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2020, 16:00:29 »
Nice job Pawel, a lot of these drains are plugged up with undercoating since the cars were new.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
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Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2020, 17:29:54 »
Good idea Pawel and a very important one for those of us who have rain...

Thank you James!
Well, condensation inside the frame members may play a role... You also wash your car... Anyway - I was going ot have a look as car is raised on the lift now for some jobs anyway.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
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W121 190SL
G-class

Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2020, 17:36:08 »
Nice job Pawel, a lot of these drains are plugged up with undercoating since the cars were new.

Thank you! There are some quotes form your posts there. And there are some pictures from your posts (!). Yes! You used to post pictures!  :) :)
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

John Betsch - "SADIE"

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2020, 00:54:24 »
Pawel, this is a very worthwhile endeavor.  Thanks.  And a question-  Do you know if the attached picture is a cover that goes on the passenger firewall drain?
JB; 1965 German market SL, Rot Met 571, Summary Code 213 Interior

mrfatboy

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #6 on: January 07, 2020, 01:48:14 »
I will jump since Pawel is probably asleep right now🤣

The rubber drain fitting as seen in your picture is only for the driver's side.

The passenger side drain tube is bent in on the passenger's firewall and is unable to fit the rubber parts.  Nothing is used.


Edit:  I found a pic of the driver side drain tube (circled in green) that needs the rubber part.  Its missing in pic. I needed one also at the time. 😜
« Last Edit: January 07, 2020, 01:55:51 by mrfatboy »
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ja17

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #7 on: January 07, 2020, 02:49:56 »
Waite till you see what Mercedes wants for that little rubber part!
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

mrfatboy

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #8 on: January 07, 2020, 02:55:59 »
Joe is correct 😀  Outrageous price.

There is a cheaper version for other MB's with a slight modification that looks nearly identical. I have seen them even cheaper.

https://www.authenticclassics.com/Rubber-Water-Drain-Valve-for-Mercedes-repro-20mm-p/auth-003773.htm
1969 280sl (Aug 1968 build)
Signal Red
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Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #9 on: January 07, 2020, 08:50:22 »
I think we concluded that this "ball valve" was not fitted on the passenger side. It is very close to exhaust, actually.

The part number is A 110 831 01 32, it is 72hrs availability in my geography and costs - please sit down on a chair or something - is ca $80 without VAT.

I bought it from SLS a couple of years ago.

However: the number of pieces needed for a car provided in the EPC is 2pcs for all 113042 to 113044. I am not saying correct/not correct - it is one of those discrepancies of system data vs. reality. Curious what old paper parts catalogues would say.

This "ball valve" is shown in Heating and Ventilation (where else! :)). Since we are there, the part number for the two under dash drain hoses from MB is N 073411 016000 (they are not on the picture). You order by meter. It is a generic part, but I remember Members were asking about it. You have clamps there as well (A 005 997 01 90) for these hoses - you get nice modern clamps with MB star if you are lucky, but obviously you will not get the correct looking clamps. 4pcs. are needed.

Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
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mbzse

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #10 on: January 07, 2020, 08:58:13 »
Here a previous discussion around this rubber ball valve item:
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=6092.msg37794#msg37794

Be sure also to root out this drain passage, so that water runs out in good order.
This is done from above after removing the air scoop hood in front of the windscreen.
See our Technical Manual section: Chassis and Body/Water Drains
https://www.sl113.org/wiki/ChassisBody/Drains
« Last Edit: January 07, 2020, 12:48:37 by mbzse »
/Hans S

Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #11 on: March 01, 2020, 21:51:40 »
Enclosed amended material. Amendment is about asymmetrical location of box drains.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

doitwright

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #12 on: March 02, 2020, 01:02:43 »
Be careful what you order here. I received the rubber ball from an aftermarket supplier and found the inner diameter of the tube to be too large to fit my SL. I later parted out a 72 W108 and found it also had the larger diameter drain tube.
Frank Koronkiewicz
Willowbrook, Illinois

1970 280SL Originally Light Ivory - Now Anthracite Gray Metallic

mauro12

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #13 on: April 05, 2021, 21:17:51 »
Hello guys , I just cleaned and replaced the hoses that drain the water from the air scoop, they were cracked and I had water in my front carpets but I noticed another small issue . Yesterday I was cleaning the engine bay with a garden hose ( no pressure washer ) and a degreaser ,after that I noticed a small amount of water in the passenger carpet only . Is there a connection between the drain hole in the engine bay near the coolant reservoir area that could let some water go into the passenger carpet ?
Thank you
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual

Alex D

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #14 on: April 05, 2021, 23:20:31 »
Where on was it wet on the passenger side?  If it was wet by the passenger door under the dash where you right leg/foot would be, replace the rubber grommet between the antenna and body.  Worked for me.
Alex D
1967 250 SL
Original 140K mi
181 Light Beige, with  112 Turquoise Interior

Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #15 on: April 06, 2021, 07:38:28 »
mauro, I remember that when I was going through the posts on water drains, this place was described by one of the Members as leading to cavity that may, eventually, collect water that will spill over to inside of the cockpit. If I were in your shoes, I would blow some air into that drain, see what happens, try to dry it , put some cavity wax inside and plug it (that is what i did in my car). I think the general conclusion on this spot was that it better be plugged. Someone, actually, reported finding remains of some plug there. Check me by search, but I think that is what was said.

I have also other suspects for the place you are describing (other than antenna, which was mentioned):
- on some cars you may have some rust and the "basin" under fresh air inlet may not be water tight; some sealing there also may be missing
- you have a hole for antenna and radio power wires there in the fire wall, closer to the middle of the car
- there may be a hole for carpet holder that is open
- the wiper motor rubber plate may net be sealing the opening as it should
- wiper shafts
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

mauro12

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #16 on: April 06, 2021, 13:27:45 »
Hi, the water was in the middle of the passenger side carpet. The antenna grommet is outside the engine bay and not inside. I'm almost sure that there is a small drain hole right above the water reservoir . I read the water drain file that Pawel wrote and there is a part where is written : ( I think these should be plugged ). My guess is that these holes are somehow connected to the inside cabin and here starts another question ;why some of this drain holes should be plugged? if mercedes created them there might be a valid reason. Would be great if you could send some pictures of the drain holes that you decided to plug. I don't want to have anymore water inside the cabin.
thank you very much for your help.
Mauro
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual

Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #17 on: April 06, 2021, 15:30:57 »
mauro, you have the theory on those drain holes here in reply #5:

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=375.msg39715#msg39715

The water outlets in wheel wells are shown in the pdf. Do you have them unclogged? If not, water spilled somewhere else. They are very difficult to be kept clean and clear.

There was some dispute over those drain holes, as I wrote before - plug them or not. You see what mbzse said there - that is what I did as it holds intuitively plus someone found remains of a plug, as I wrote previously.

Here, replies #13 through #16: https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=27908.msg200982#msg200982

There were more debates there, two schools. You can pour some water to that hole and see if it drips inside.

As I wrote, I plugged mine.

There are also other places where water could come in that I wrote about in my previous post.
« Last Edit: April 06, 2021, 15:44:56 by Pawel66 »
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
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W121 190SL
G-class

mauro12

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #18 on: April 06, 2021, 18:59:12 »
Hi, I think I have solved the issue . I took a torch and I have illuminated to drain hole and the light came out from under the dash in the exact position where I had the water leak . I will try to post a picture . Having said that , I’m trying to understand why mercedes decided to make this drain hole if water can pour directly into the cabin . What is the function ?
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual

Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #19 on: April 06, 2021, 22:17:49 »
I have this one plugged as well. I do not know if it is a drain hole. I doubt Daimler would do it like this. I do not remember if I saw it from the other side when I was dismantling wiper motor.

The location would be strange for the drain hole... The actual drain hole is right below this one.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

doitwright

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #20 on: April 07, 2021, 00:30:48 »
Interesting you bring up this point. Last month I examined a 63 W111 Cabriolet in North Carolina. Although it was a pretty solid car overall, we found rust in this same area.
Frank Koronkiewicz
Willowbrook, Illinois

1970 280SL Originally Light Ivory - Now Anthracite Gray Metallic

mauro12

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #21 on: April 07, 2021, 07:52:11 »
Hi, it seems very rusted in the picture . Mine luckily doesn’t have any rust there . I was just wondering what was the function of that hole . Maybe is not a drain hole but can be used to pass some additional wires inside the cabin . Anyway I think that with closed hood it shouldn’t be a problem because water is forced to go somewhere else for gravity . You can look in your car too see if you have the same hole as me .
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual

sandcrab59

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #22 on: April 07, 2021, 12:19:24 »
I have seen these rubber drains on my 200D cars from 66 to 68.
So if you see any 200d's in the junk yard ( HA HA) look for these rubber drains.
I have saved mine. A little old but with tender care they can be used again.
Tom
71 280SL-8  Euro
67 250 SL
72 220 D
1982 300 SD
1983 300SD
1985 300SD
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1997 Corvette C5

lreppond

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #23 on: April 08, 2021, 22:25:12 »
Hey Pawel!   Really appreciate you sharing this content with us.  For cars plagued with rust issues, knowing where drain holes are located and keeping them free and clear, is essential for the health of our cars. 
~Len

1971 280 SL
576G red/251 Beige
4 speed manual
Family owned since new (father —> son)

Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #24 on: April 09, 2021, 06:08:36 »
Good to hear! But I just pulled together a lot of insights from a lot of experts here, nothing more. I will also appreciate any additions or corrections to he material.
Pawel

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mauro12

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #25 on: April 09, 2021, 12:39:02 »
Thanks Pawel once again . Is still not clear 100% Why mercedes designed this drain holes, especially the way to let water pass inside the cabin from the air scoop and out again . It’s obvious that if you don’t have good and fresh hoses you will end up with a pool in your front carpets . I think I will buy a plug to avoid water passing into the drain hole near the wiper motor . I’m sure during an heavy rain , water could take that direction and for gravity could go into that hole which is connected to the passenger floor.
I have another question , the drains in the soft top compartment are covered by some factory plugs ? I didn’t understand well how the water is conducted outside the compartment . Maybe if you have some pictures . By the way the best option is to keep the car away from any rain. The only way to fight corrosion is a good storage and as less rain as possible . This is my personal opinion .
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual

Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #26 on: April 09, 2021, 12:51:55 »
Mauro, the hole you indicated on your photograph, if it goes to the cabin indeed (I just do not remember it now), is probably not a drain hole. I saw it plugged on practically all photographs of working cars I have seen.

The holes under the coolant tank and under the booster - they go to cavities underneath and then water is supposed to go out to the wheel arches through the openings indicated in pdf. Some Members recommend to plug them. I did. But I injected cavity wax there first.

On the soft top compartment - the drain holes are equipped with hoses. These hoses go to the cavity near B-pillar. Then water drains out through the holes in the door sills under the B-pillar. You have all of it shown in the pdf, but I am attaching them below.

The useful plug is A0009973320, e.g. for the hole you showed on your picture.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
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W121 190SL
G-class

sandcrab59

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #27 on: April 09, 2021, 15:09:21 »
I just checked my 71 280SL and there is a rubber plug in the hole.
It had to be placed there at the factory during production.
Tom
71 280SL-8  Euro
67 250 SL
72 220 D
1982 300 SD
1983 300SD
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mauro12

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #28 on: April 09, 2021, 16:00:52 »
I think I will plug this hole . Probably it was done to pass some wires .
About the soft top compartment , here I send you my picture . The drain hole is in the left part on the top but I’m trying to understand what is this other hole marked is red . The plug is cracked and I have to replace but Is it a drain hole too?
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual

Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #29 on: April 09, 2021, 17:47:37 »
I do not think it is a drain hole. The plug no. for it is, I cannot figure out now:

A 000 997 40 20 CAP IN FOLDING TOP CASE BOTTOM SIDE PART, FOR DETENT HOLE; 30.5 MM

or

A 113 683 01 10 CAP IMMERSION-PAINT HOLES

Sorry, just do not remember which one... I would buy both. You need 2 pcs for either of the PN. I think you will find the other one a bit deteriorated most likely and willingly replace it :).

Those that go into that hole are nice looking with Mercedes tiny logo. Worth having them original. They are not expensive.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

mauro12

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #30 on: April 09, 2021, 19:28:45 »
This rubber plugs in the soft top compartment are drain holes too? What is their function ?
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual

Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #31 on: April 09, 2021, 20:58:22 »
Well, the rubber plugs are to plug the holes, certainly not the drain holes. One pair is to plug the holes you marked, the other is to plug some other holes. One pair of the holes, as per the plug description is for paint to get to certain parts of the chassis during the immersion painting process. The other pair is to plug the holes made for some other purpose. There are several purposes the holes are made in the chassis - they are technological holes - for painting process, for installation of something, for rust protection application, etc.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

mnahon

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #32 on: April 09, 2021, 21:12:05 »
Hi Pawel,

I have one to add to your list that I discovered only recently. It's the front analogue to the one that's just behind the door, underneath the rocker cover. This one is just ahead of the door, underneath the rocker cover. Picture attached. It's a slot, rather than a hole, and it's intended to drain the cavity that's just behind the front wheel. Rust in this cavity often leads to rust at the front of the rocker or on the lower firewall behind the front wheel.

Meyer
Meyer Nahon
Montreal, Canada
1968 MB 280SL Auto Euro LHD Silver
2021 Tesla Model 3

Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #33 on: April 09, 2021, 21:25:30 »
Thank you! Amended pdf enclosed.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
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W121 190SL
G-class

Peter van Es

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #34 on: April 10, 2021, 12:31:37 »
Pawel,

had you added it to the Tech Manual you could have updated it there each time... https://www.sl113.org/wiki/ChassisBody/Drains

Could you have a go?

Peter
1970 280SL. System Admin of the site. Please do not mail or PM me questions on Pagoda's... I'm not likely to know the answer.  Please post on the forum instead!

Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #35 on: April 10, 2021, 13:08:17 »
Peter, I stay away from loading anything there as I do not feel qualified enough. But if this one is worth it, I will, certainly.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
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mBdrvr

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #36 on: April 11, 2021, 21:47:33 »
There is a Service Information Bulletin from 1967 on this subject for 600's but will apply to our cars on page 2 located here:

http://maxacars.com/MB%20FILES/Group%2060-81%2084-89%20Body%20Part%20C.pdf

« Last Edit: April 15, 2021, 19:56:34 by mBdrvr »
Paul Greenblatt
'70 280 SL
'66 250 SE Cabrio
'60 190 SL

Peter van Es

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #37 on: April 12, 2021, 10:55:22 »
Peter, I stay away from loading anything there as I do not feel qualified enough. But if this one is worth it, I will, certainly.

Trust me, you are qualified enough. And remember, if you put it up on the Wiki, others can easily help out and correct mistakes...
1970 280SL. System Admin of the site. Please do not mail or PM me questions on Pagoda's... I'm not likely to know the answer.  Please post on the forum instead!

mauro12

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #38 on: April 12, 2021, 11:24:18 »
I blow compressed air from the drain hoses in the soft top compartment , they are free but I could feel any air escaping from the underside of the car . Maybe the route of this drain tubes is too long to feel the air out .
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual

Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #39 on: April 12, 2021, 17:37:45 »
Trust me, you are qualified enough. And remember, if you put it up on the Wiki, others can easily help out and correct mistakes...

Thanks! I did put it in!
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #40 on: April 12, 2021, 17:40:45 »
I blow compressed air from the drain hoses in the soft top compartment , they are free but I could feel any air escaping from the underside of the car . Maybe the route of this drain tubes is too long to feel the air out .

mauro, 3 points:

- you may want to insert longer hose with air into the drain rubber hose; it leads to that chamber you see on the picture, so yes, there is quite some space there
- you may pour some water to see if it is coming out
- they way to closely examine this is to either dismantle the upholstery inside to see part of the rubber hose and make sure it goes through the pillar out and/or to remove the rocker sill cover to see the holes in the sill
Pawel

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Peter van Es

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #41 on: April 14, 2021, 10:51:25 »
Thanks! I did put it in!

I see it. However, I meant for you to put it in there not as a pdf, but as text and individual pictures. That way it becomes searchable, and editably by any full member. I realise that will take a bit of study, but that's the whole intent of the Tech Manual.
1970 280SL. System Admin of the site. Please do not mail or PM me questions on Pagoda's... I'm not likely to know the answer.  Please post on the forum instead!

Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #42 on: April 14, 2021, 11:29:16 »
Ok, will give it a try, thank you!
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

mauro12

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #43 on: April 14, 2021, 12:07:37 »
Is quite curious why Mercedes didn't do this drain hole with a direct connection from the hole itself and the underside of the car . Instead of this , the rubbers hose discharge the water into this compartment and after down to the hole . This could create rust from the inside out . To inspect this you have to cut the car . I’m scared to put water and try . Maybe with a flash light you can see if the light is coming in the underside .
Compressed air is not enough .
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual

Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #44 on: April 14, 2021, 12:25:41 »
I am not sure which place you are describing. Rubber hoses are there between the air scoop and outside of car at the firewall. So they lead water out of the car. The holes on flat surfaces near the coolant tank and brake booster lead to box area, from where water runs out through outlets in the wheel well - out of the car. The hole near wiper motor is, most likely not a drain hole, should be plugged. Which place are you referring to?
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

mauro12

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #45 on: April 14, 2021, 12:45:24 »
I’m referring about the drain holes from the soft top compartment .
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual

mnahon

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #46 on: April 14, 2021, 12:57:15 »
Mauro,

I've also never liked the idea of letting the water get dumped from the softtop compartment into the body cavity; too many things can go wrong. But it's clear the Mercedes engineers expected water to get into places that it should not be---this is why there are drains everywhere. I continue to believe that many of our cars rust due to repairs or restorations in which the drains end up getting plugged.

If you want to visually see whether your drainage is working properly, you'd have to remove the upholstery cover behind the B-pillar; and remove the black rocker cover on the outside. You have to check (a) whether the tube from the softtop compartment is there and properly directed; and (b) whether the drain hole in the body cavity is indeed free and clear to let the water drain. You won't be able to do this using a flashlight with the car fully assembled.

Here's my solution to the softtop drain problem. I've extended the tube from the softtop drains to bottles under the parcel shelf. As long as your softtop cover seal is in good condition (to minimize the amount of water that ends up in the softtop compartment), this is effective. You just need to empty the bottles occasionally if you drive in the rain, and the parcel shelves are easily accessible.
« Last Edit: April 14, 2021, 14:41:20 by mnahon »
Meyer Nahon
Montreal, Canada
1968 MB 280SL Auto Euro LHD Silver
2021 Tesla Model 3

Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #47 on: April 14, 2021, 15:48:37 »
I’m referring about the drain holes from the soft top compartment .
I see!

Well, agree it is not the best solution. You have the advise from mnahon, I also wrote about it in one of the previous posts. It is not very difficult to remove upholstery and it is not difficult to remove the rocker panel cover. It definitely is worth the effort of checking if this water passage is not clogged, in my opinion.

Last winter I had my car on the lift all winter to go through this type of maintenance: check all the drain holes (and I drilled, actually, a couple of them that I had missing) and wax all the cavities and closed profiles (there is a MB maintenance brochure on that here). Even if you drive in the sun only - you wash your car, you may be caught by rain and also moisture is forming in the cavities - water will always have a chance to get there. 
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

mauro12

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #48 on: April 14, 2021, 16:25:13 »
Well it seems not so easy to my ability . Where do you put cavity wax in your car ?
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual

Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #49 on: April 14, 2021, 16:32:46 »
In essence as per the attached pdf.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

mauro12

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #50 on: April 14, 2021, 17:00:25 »
You just spray the cavity wax inside these holes right ?once per year ?
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual

Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #51 on: April 14, 2021, 18:16:56 »
Yes. Not once a year. Once, say 5 years will do, I think, with the way we drive these cars - nice weekends.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

Bonnyboy

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #52 on: April 14, 2021, 20:02:11 »
Yes - 5 year is about right but don't forget the parts that get trashed with regular driving.   

I spray underneath parts of my car with Crown Rust Control at least twice per year (once in the fall before the salt goes on the road and then again in the spring after the rain washes the salt off the roads).  I like to drive all year round so experience salt and gravel which is nasty to the underneath to my car so I find that I am constantly wire brushing parts to get to bare metal and replacing with new paint.  I will do most of this in the next few weeks after I hose the underside down and let the car dry. 

Again I have a hoist and a place to work but it always makes me feel good to get the car ready for the next season. 

Ian
69 280SL
65 F-100
73 CB750K
75 MGB
78 FLH
82 CB750SC
94 FLHTCU
08 NPS50

Pawel66

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Re: Water Drains - Summary Attempt
« Reply #53 on: April 14, 2021, 20:06:56 »
Yes, another type of wax goes on a lot of places that are not cavities or closed profiles. I drive in the sun only, so perhaps I do not need to do it so often.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class