Water Leaks

I'm investigating and repairing some water leaks in a 2005 high roof. I'm going to post a long message with what I've found along with some photos, because my guess is that these leaks are pretty common. Perhaps it will help others with their problems.

Before I do that, I'd like to get all the leaks fixed. I'm wondering what people use to fix leaks? Silicone caulk or something different? My two leaks are:

1) Water entering the engine compartment through the hole where the driver's side windshield washer hose comes through. There is a grommet, but it doesn't seal very tightly, and it sits right below an indentation where water drains from the lower edge of the windshield. This water ends up in the insulation surrounding the cabin air intake and blower. Makes everything soggy.

2) Water entering the body above the windshield (not certain if it is through a crack in the metal or the windshield gasket) and coming down the driver's side roof pillar, then dripping from the hood release latch.

I'd like to know the best material to repair these leaks. Thanks!

For what it is worth, I'm also looking at how the gutter below the windshield drains. Mine was clogged with debris, but once I cleaned it, the driver's side dripped down back inside the engine compartment so it was hitting the battery tray. The passenger side seems designed to drain down the engine compartment past the windshield washer fluid bottle. Which seems strange to me, but I suppose it was a deliberate decision by Mercedes.

I promise to post a complete repair write-up once I'm done with all of this.

I just fixed a leak in the middle of the drivers side pillar- ex dhl 2006 they had put silicon on the inside of the windsheild didn't work - it was following down the pillar to the speaker and also dripping on the steering shaft and down the center console. Took it to glass shop was told the entire drivers side was leaking. Had to replace seal and windsheild. $280

Did you ever figure out what is the best way to drain the gutter beneath the windshield? I have problem with the passenger side getting clogged and also draining inside the engine compartment near and behind the washer fluid container. I have a 2004 sprinter 2500.

We had a leak on the passenger and drivers side. I caulked along the edges and top of the windshield and I still had the leaks. I finally cleaned up the metal spot welded vertical seam above the windshield corners. I used a polyurethane caulk and no leaks after a year. We had the windshield replaced this summer and the windshield tech, who said he does a lot of Sprinters, said that was a common failure point.

I used Henry’s elastomeric roofing membrane to paint patches over everywhere I was getting leaks, it was ugly but it worked really well. Never had another leak. I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re into things like paint jobs or style or getting dates

shotgunaids said:

I used Henry’s elastomeric roofing membrane to paint patches over everywhere I was getting leaks, it was ugly but it worked really well. Never had another leak.

Click to expand...

That stuff does work. Did you use black or white color?

shotgunaids said:

I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re into things like paint jobs or style or getting dates

Click to expand...

Eternabond tape also can work well. It comes in various forms. The type with a white plastic permanent cover blends very well with the OEM white paint and does last.

vic

Aqua Puttana said:

That stuff does work. Did you use black or white color

Click to expand...

I used white, but it turned grey from the road grime pretty quickly.