Mercedes R230 500SL SL55 drain holes

This is a short video showing the positions of all the drain holes on a Mercedes R230 also known as the 500 SL and the SL 55. It’s essential to check that your drain holes are not blocked to avoid water leaking into your SL. The R230 model of SL is particularly sensitive to the electronics getting damp as most of the CAN bus cables run under the front foot well and rear boot carpets.

[@billr7056]

Wonderful video! I bought a nice 61k 2005 SL500 recently and will be going through this procedure soon. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Yes…it’s amazing how something as small as a blocked drain hole can cause such catastrophic damage on these cars. Mike

[@jaimemunoz5148]

Thank you so much for such an informative detailed video in regards of the drainage for the SL55 or R230…! I have exactly the same car as yours, except mine is a left-hand drive here in Los Gatos California.

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

You are welcome....and I hope you are making the most of the Californian sunshine. I have not bee there for a while but used to really enjoy the beach, mountains and trekking. Mike

[@malcolmgay2206]

What a great instructional video. May I also recommend that you consider mentioning slip lubricating the squash tubes. MB sell a special jell (of course they do) and while it is expensive it will do many many applications. I recall the French (I seem to recall) KZbinr saying do not leave the roof hanging open for very long as the weight of it is extremely heavy. You need it open to get at all the tubes.

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Thanks for your comment - that sounds like good advice. I'll look into getting some from Mercedes. Mike

[@malcolmgay2206]

@@MikesMercsandothercars This is the clip, (he is called 'I fix my benz' ) detailing how he does it and mentioning his safety concerns. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqvNpJ1ug7ebpqc You have to get past the intro part then he explains the process he follows. Recall the product does about 10 applications, remember that when you hear the price (at least that's the way they charge in Australia)

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

@@malcolmgay2206 Hi - just ordered some from Mercedes UK - £41.80+vat. Not cheap but a small price to pay to stop those pesky leaks. Wifes Audi convertible has this problem. Thanks for the tip. Are you based in Oz? I've just come back from there. Mike

[@malcolmgay2206]

@@MikesMercsandothercars Hi Mike We live in Brisbane. Where did you visit? We are currently in Bayswater opposite Hyde Park. Malcolm

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

@@malcolmgay2206 We go out every year for a few months and have travelled all over. This year just a 6 week trip from Melbourne up to Noosa via many National Parks. We've kept a camper van out there for the past 18 years. Absolutely love it. Mike

[@ash44roberts]

Another very useful and informative video Mike. Many thanks!

[@reinmansmith]

Really useful and clear information, thank you 🙏

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Thanks!

[@matthewrooke386]

Brilliantly explained- off to check my drain holes now 👍

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Thanks for your comment. Mike

[@bernhardweibel8142]

Thank you for your informative drain hole movie. Much appreciated and mine are all now clean. I have air conditioning water coming into both footwells left and right hand side. When the air-conditioner is off this is not a problem. Where is the drain plug for the air-conditioner? Thank you in advance.

[@joelblauvelt5062]

Fabulous! I would use low pressure air or vacuum-out/check/unclog the drain lines....

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Good tip. Mike

[@henrikkonnerup681]

Great video. If the drainholes are blocked how would you recommend to unblock them? Thanks.

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

It slightly depends on the location and angle of the drain hole. I use a variety of things including: Metal coat hanger bass guitar string Long wooden shashlik stick Just try not to use anything too sharp that risks poking a hole through the rubber channels. Mike

[@dkkatwa]

Excellent video. I man who knows his stuff. Do you run a garage?

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Thanks for your comment. No I don't run a garage - I am just a hobbyist who happens to like mercs...and other cars. Mike

[@pet188s]

Hi Mike, great video. I had 2 MX5's before trading up to a R230 350 SL. I used a trombone brush to keep the drainholes and pipes clear, would you think this may work on the merc?

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Thanks for your comment - yes absolutely...even better than the clarinet brush I use. Mike

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Thanks!

[@josephp5058]

Tell me about it - lv a cherished low mileage R230 that lm actually scared now to take out in the rain- lv just managed to get it going again after trailering it (stuck in park - no start) round to 3 different Merc “experts” - auto electricians - lv got spare SAM units ECU units Engine management units - and ignition units all bought to try and get her running again also the rear window seal - that needs attention to stop water getting into the boot

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Thanks for your comment. What was the problem? The "stuck in part" problem is often due to a broken plastic part in the gear lever mechanism. The car starts to get more and more difficult to get into gear until that part breaks then you are stuck. Where are you based - there is a really good R230 graveyard in Tewksbury if you ever need parts. Mike

[@josephp5058]

@@MikesMercsandothercars thanks Mike lm in the South of France at the moment (l have a house out here lm based Somerset) - where the old girl broke down, if l was in the U.K. l could have sorted it - l found a chap (another “expert”) and trailered it to him and he had her running after 2 days - been off the road over 2 years he only charged me 300 euro but wouldn’t tell me what he did

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

@@josephp5058 When mechanics don't go into great lengths about what they did...it is often a sign that it was an easy fix. I remember years ago, my silver R107 280SL wont go into reverse and I took it to my trusty cheap and cheerful mechanic fearing the worst. Sure enough, he phoned me and said "I've got some bad news..." In the event, it was wind up and ended up costing me 90p for a bushing and nut....but he could have charged me anything and I would have been none the wiser! My parents have a house near Bezier and I usually go there each year. Mike

[@josephp5058]

@@MikesMercsandothercars l bought a beautiful Jag X Type for £300 scrap appearance like brand new - the AA “mechanic” told the owner the diesel pump had gone and the cost was more than the car was worth - it was a rubber seal in the swirl - £30 job done - l didn’t know I bought it as a write off

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

@@josephp5058 Wow - It;s good when you get lucky! Mike

[@robertvincent2084]

Where are you based.

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Bristol UK - why do you ask? Mike

[@robertvincent2084]

@@MikesMercsandothercars I have trouble with that leak obove the drivers head, and that video seems to sum it up. Cleaning out the C pillar and tightening it up. Just crap at messing with cars.