How to fix a leaking roof (water leak) - Mercedes SL (R230)

[@IfixmyBenz]

★☆★ Special oil ★☆★ (suitable for SL and SLK) You can find this oil at any Mercedes-Benz dealer (price is 61.80 EUR). Just ask for part number A 000 989 36 60. Unfortunately, this Mercedes oil is no longer available in the United States. As a replacement, a Mercedes parts department in the United States recommends using this NAPA product available on eBay here: ebay.us/x9p9w9 or on Amazon here: amzn.to/3vVWSsc Several people in our community have tried it and it works great ! A product similar to the one used in the video and marketed by the Volkswagen Group is available here: ebay.us/kh944D It is used to lubricate Audi and Volkswagen convertible seals.

[@scottschwais1846]

Fantastic Video. I did this and my leaks stopped:-) Thank You and Keep Doing Video's Please!

[@jaygardner9393]

My Mercedes parts department told me this oil was no longer available. They recommened Sil Glide. I picked up a tube at my parts store. I lubed every rubber seal and it works great. After a day or two I wiped off excess everywhere my clothes might come in contact.

[@IfixmyBenz]

Thank you Jay for your collaboration and the information you provide. I've already heard that this special oil is unfortunately not available in the USA. Do you live in the USA ? If this is the case, it is confirmed. I just checked, this oil is still available in Europe... What is the reference of the product that your Mercedes parts department advised you ?

[@waewens]

I used Sil Glide also. Just finished today.

[@melbirnbaum2882]

My 2005 SLK350 does not have the red button to lower the roof panels. What is the alternative. Thanks in advance with you terrific videos

[@sammy7237]

Thank you for this! I noticed a leak during a car wash on the left-hand side, where the B pillar would normally be if I recall correctly. I’m going to check my service booklet to see whether or not lubrication of the weather stripping/seals is part of the service program that my dealer should be performing.

[@IfixmyBenz]

You're welcome ! 😉 Thanks for your comment.

[@mikeday5940]

Great video and a low cost fix to what could be a big problem if left untreated.

[@spartacusmentor9832]

Superb video!! I’ve worked on the R129 roof and watching the latter part of this video is in prep for the SL55 treatment is literally a life saver

[@michaelloach9461]

Great vid. I liked the tip with the syringe. All the best............

[@IfixmyBenz]

👍 Thank you !!! 😉

[@drewprof]

Thank you for the vid. I had to do the same on my SLK but with Sil Glide because I couldn't get the recommended oil that you showed. I just did this yesterday, so no water/rain test yet. Let's hope it works.

[@ChrisBranleh]

Why do you use windex for cleaning?

[@garylang998]

I have this problem with my r230 sl 2003 slight leak drivers side front corner

[@joyconway4832]

Hi The NAPA product you recommend is not available via Amazon UK - can you recommend any other product? Thank you!

[@IfixmyBenz]

Hi ! Yes, you're right. Unfortunately, I can't recommend another product that I haven't tested beforehand... NAPA is not available via Amazon UK. However, you can get it from the US via eBay UK here: ebay.us/OzIG4o I hope this will help you... 😉

[@waynebrown6650]

Thanks just bought one so thats my first job

[@SteveRogers461]

Another great video!!! 😊😊😊

[@IfixmyBenz]

🙏 Thank you !!!

[@jaygardner9393]

The product in the US is Sil-Glyde from NAPA.

[@IfixmyBenz]

OK, thanks for the information ! This will be useful for the Americans ! For people reading this post: Unfortunately the special Mercedes oil is no longer available in the USA...

[@NoWheelDrive]

Nice video! Please continue doing your videos!! BTW have you ever had any issues with any of hydraulic cylinders? There are bunch of hydraulic cylinders which help to operate the vario roof. I see people have issues with them as well. These cylinders may leak oil, not water.

[@IfixmyBenz]

Thank you very much for your compliments !!! There may also be leaks in the hydraulic cylinders indeed. I personally had to repair a leak on the roof attachment cylinder by changing the seal. Unfortunately, I did not make a video because it happened before I launched this youtube channel...

[@NoWheelDrive]

@@IfixmyBenz Gotcha. I hope you won't have to deal with another leaking cylinder soon. I see they have 11 (eleven!!!) hydraulic cylinders and pump just for the roof and trunk. That's a lot!! And we are not talking about ABS and its hydraulics. Fortunately, there are companies like Top Hydraulics and Cabriolet Hydraulics that sell rebuilt cylinders. Here is just an example: www.tophydraulics.com/r230-sl-class-03-12/75-r230-sl-class-front-lock-cylinder.html Currently I'm looking for an SL R230 and I'm trying to get prepared beforehand.

[@kenbrown1440]

Thanks! Very helpful.

[@IfixmyBenz]

👍 You're welcome ! 😉

[@Jordan-lu4cm]

This is a very helpful video and it's easy to follow your instructions. Thank you!

[@IfixmyBenz]

Hello Jordan, happy to help ! Thanks for your comment. 😉

[@Jordan-lu4cm]

@@IfixmyBenz out of interest, would you recommend doing all of the seals in the boot like this as well? I would like to protect the boot seals from leaking as I know that can be quite common! Thank you in advance 😃

[@IfixmyBenz]

​@@Jordan-lu4cm Yes, absolutely !

[@arlenefleming3042]

I have a Mercedes C230 and the roof leaks

[@waewens]

Thank you so much my 2016 SL leaking in that very spot.

[@IfixmyBenz]

Glad you found this video useful for the leaking roof on your Mercedes SL R231 ! 😀 Thanks for your comment. 😉

[@dougdemsko2730]

Thank you Good information.

[@dougwhiting1546]

It's not always the seals it's the drain channel that has become blocked inside the pillar.

[@IfixmyBenz]

Hello ! Absolutely, it is possible. I talk about it in the video in step 3. Thanks for your comment. 😉

[@zachos138]

Thank you for your detailed and helpful video! May I ask for your advice in case you are aware, is there any way to lift roof panels (as you do in step 4) on the SLK R172? It seems there is not a dedicated button in trunk like here. Is there an alternative way that I am not aware of? Cheers!

[@IfixmyBenz]

Hello, thanks for your comment ! 😉 It seems to me that this feature to facilitate luggage loading is available on the SL but not on the SLK unfortunately....

[@zachos138]

@@IfixmyBenz I thought so but worth checking for another opinion. May I also, after almost 2 years since you uploaded this video, what’s your feedback in this process? Apart from the fact that it is needed as maintenance yearly or so, does it actually fixes this leak issue in joints? Thanks once more!

[@IfixmyBenz]

@@zachos138 To answer your question, the water leak has not reappeared. This process has completely solved the problem ! 😀

[@narcissistinjurygiver2932]

thank you. same problem with mine

[@grahambansal8192]

Thank you so much for this! Mine is leaking exactly the same, after trying Gummi Pfledge. I had no idea there was a specific Merc treatment, will definatley be trying this. Thanks again for saving me from buying a new seal :)

[@IfixmyBenz]

Hello ! Thank you for your comment. 😊 Very glad that this could help you ! 😉

[@AmirKhan-pq4ei]

Did you try it graham?

[@grahambansal8192]

@@AmirKhan-pq4ei - Yes. Although the treatment isn't cheap compared to others, it seems to be worth it as it hasn't been leaking since. And we've had a typically wet winter here in the UK. As per the video, I made sure all the seals were thoroughly degreased, and I left the car indoors with the roof down for 48 hours in as heated garage after application.

[@donovanh5679]

Thanks for making this video. I have an 09' SL550. Although it's not leaking, it's helpful to know that there is a DYI solution as you have shown in the video.

[@IfixmyBenz]

Thank you ! 😉

[@DanielEhlmann]

Where were you when I had my SL500 a couple months ago?! 😂 Just kidding. But I do have an SL55 on the way, and I’ll be sure to run through this with it. For some reason, this process isn’t done on most American SL’s from my understanding.

[@pfoxhound]

what about trunk seal? metal rusts there.

[@IfixmyBenz]

You're right ! A video is being prepared on this subject. It will be finalized soon ! 😉

[@carleonekyle]

Thanks 🙏🏼

[@IfixmyBenz]

You're welcome ! 😉

[@24hotfuzzJake]

Many thanks..

[@donovanh5679]

Also, I would love to know the options of converting my SL's hydraulic suspension to coil-over struts when they fail.

[@zanastumasonis]

thanks

[@EmilTheoneandonly]

nice

[@IfixmyBenz]

Thanks !

[@michalwisnia7546]

Master

[@Kicki355]

👍👍👍🚗

[@robertbutler8004]

Once a year my ass it should be done at the start of every season and you would not have a water leak in the first place.

[@banpowel9784]

100.000 dollar vehicle? And the roof can leak? For that kind of money 💰 tbe roof should have being bulletproof, amazingly the really cheap peugeots with metal convertible roofs don't suffer leaks? Absolutely ripoff mercedes

[@billturner6564]

Wonderful thanks for that

[@IfixmyBenz]

You're welcome ! Thanks for your comment. 😊