Water ingress - retractable hardtop front section
Topic number

LI77.30-P-056644

Version

1

Design group

77.30 Vario roof, soft top - complete

Date

07-25-2013

Validity

SLK - BR172

Reason for change

Damage code for retractable hardtop front section adjusted. New damage code is 79201 04 for Vario roof front
section - Leaking.
Published worldwide.

Reason for block

Complaint:

Water entry through front section of retractable hardtop with the following localization:
- Partial water entry in the area of the side seals to the A-pillar (for area see Fig. 1) when accelerating/braking the vehicle.
- Water entry in rear area of side seals (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3).
- Water entry in area of rear pivot/mounting for front section of retractable hardtop (see Fig. 4 and Fig. 5)
- Water entry in side area of headliner (see Fig. 6).

Attachments
File

Designation

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Fig. 1

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Fig. 2

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Fig. 3

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Fig. 4

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Fig. 5

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Fig. 6

Cause:

- Incomplete seam seal on front section of retractable hardtop or
- damaged side seal.

Remedy:

To successfully rectify any water entry as described above and to ensure that follow-up repairs are not required, the
following procedure should be observed.
1.) Disassembling the headliner:
In order to accurately localize any water entry through the front section of the retractable hardtop, the headliner has to
be dismantled before the subsequent rain test. Water traces may only capable of being localized once the headliner
has been dismantled. These possible water entry points should be observed closely during the subsequent rain test.
2.) Conduct standard rain test (20 minutes):
Before conducting any repairs or measures to prevent water entry, a standard rain test should be performed beforehand (e.g. using a "Garden" shower head etc.). While doing so, the light sprinkling action should be over the front
section of the retractable hardtop only. To enhance the troubleshooting success factor, the main intensity of the
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sprinkler should be on the side where the complaint has been registered. During the rain test it may be worthwhile taking photos of the water entry or water entry point.
3.) Dismantling side seal:
In order to localize the water entry after the rain test, the side seal on the side on which the complaint was registered
must be removed. Then the seal should be checked for any damage. The polyurethane foam bead (see Fig. 7) of the
side seal is not wet/moist.
- Side seal damaged: In the event that the side seal is damaged, then this has to be replaced in accordance with WIS
document "AR77.50-P-4200W". Special care should be paid here to the correct butyl routing.
Important! After this, a rain test should be performed again to check how successful the repair has been.
- Polyurethane foam bead wet/moist: In the event that the polyurethane foam bead (see Fig. 7) of the side seal is
found to be wet/moist, then following operation steps should be performed to check the front section of the retractable
hardtop.
4.) Check front section of retractable hardtop:
- Check using endoscope (if available):
The endoscope can be used to check the interior of the side panel for any water entry. Access for the endoscope here is through the previously made hole in the rear area of the magnesium frame (see Fig. 8 and Fig. 9). It is important
here to check the entire panel for any water entry or drops of water.
- Check by drilling holes (if endoscope not available):
A drill bit with a max. diameter of 3 mm is to be used at the corresponding positions (see marked areas in Fig.10, Fig.
11 and Fig. 12) to drill water exit holes (note dimensions in Fig. 13). These water exit holes can be used to check
whether waster escapes and therefore whether there is any water located in the side panel (a piece of wire can be
used here to help force water out of the 3 mm water exit holes).
Important!The drill bit diameter must not be larger than 3 mm and the marked areas in Fig. 10, Fig. 11 with the dimensions from Fig. 12 must be maintained, because the holes are in the dry area.
If this test should reveal that there is no water in the side panel, then the water exit holes are to be sealed again using
4 mm butyl cord. No excess butyl may protrude here beyond the hole to ensure that this does not stick to the seal later on.
If, in one of these cases, water entry is detected in the side panel on the front section of the retractable hardtop, then
this is to be replaced in accordance with WIS document "AR77.50-P-3100W". Corresponding pictures (water exit from
water exit holes, other water entry points) are to be included with the warranty claim.
NOTE: Some parts may be non-stocking parts for MBUSA, and possibly C66 and not immediately available from
DAG. Please be aware and check availability prior to scheduling customer repairs

Attachments
File

Designation

Abb.7.jpg

Fig. 7

Abb.8.jpg

Fig. 8

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Fig. 9

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Fig. 10

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Fig. 11

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Fig. 12

Symptoms
Body / Roof system / Convertible top/vario roof / Vario roof / Leaks
Body / Roof system / Convertible top/vario roof / Vario roof / Inaccurate gasket fit

Parts
Part number

ES1 ES2 Designation

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Quantity Note

BRABENS

EPC Other
make
part

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A 172 790 14 40

FRONT FOLDING ROOF GLASS ROOF

1

Valid for code 415/4U8, please
note EPC!
FRONT FOLDING ROOF must
be ordered in appropriate vehicle color.

X

A 172 790 10 40

FRONT FOLDING ROOF MSC ROOF

1

Valid for code 412, please note EPC!
FRONT FOLDING ROOF must
be ordered in appropriate vehicle color.

X

A 172 790 17 98

SEALING - ROOF LEFT SIDE 1

X

A 172 790 18 98

SEALING - ROOF RIGHT SIDE

X

A 004 989 60 20

12

1

SEALING STRIP - Butyl 4 mm 1

Package contents are sufficient for several vehicles.

X

Work units
Op. no.

Operation text

77-6211

Time

Damage
code

Note

REMOVE/INSTALL VARIO ROOF
FRONT SECTION

79201 04

Only refer to damage code when the
water entry is through the front section of the retractable hardtop, and
not through the seals. In the event of
water entry, please also note this in
the note/additional information.

77-6501

REPLACE SEALING AT LEFT SIDE ON
FRONT SECTION OF RETRACTABLE
HARDTOP

79A01 04

Only refer to damage code if seals
are found to be faulty and they were
the reason for the water entry.

77-6502

REPLACE SEALING AT RIGHT SIDE
ON FRONT SECTION OF RETRACTABLE HARDTOP

79N01 04

Only refer to damage code if seals
are found to be faulty and they were
the reason for the water entry.

Validity
Vehicle

Engine

Transmission

SLK (172)

*

*

Vehicle

Engine

Transmission

172.403

651.980

711.670

172.403

651.980

722.908

172.447

271.861

711.653

172.447

271.861

711.654

172.447

271.861

722.997

172.448

271.861

711.655

172.448

271.861

722.997

Full model designation breakdown

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172.457

276.956

722.906

172.475

152.980

722.909

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