Leaking Roof Bars??

[ANP320]

Can anyone help with this? A Mum on our school run has an X plate W210 estate which has been crippled (she says) because water leaked through the roof bar fittings into the ATF?

Is this possible and if so how?

We've recommended they consult Olly, of course and I do know that their car does not have a full MBSH, so I assume they would have no recourse there.

Any help, advice or suggestions will be gratefully passed on.

 

[BTB 500]

Sounds like a fairy story to me! Water in the ATF could be a radiator problem.

 

[SilverSaloon]

i'm confused. ATF = Automatic Transmission Fluid. how is that linked in any way to roof bars!?

 

[mattc]

Leaking roof bars - would not that show in the roof lining??? How the hell is the water getting into the ATF (sealed for life originally were they )

Sounds like complete bottom to me.

 

[ANP320]

Yes, I know. That's exactly what I thought but one can't stand there saying to a friendly Mum that they are talking pants. Wouldn't be polite, would it?

It also occurred to me that the mechanic they are using (I know for sure its not MB or a specialised Indie) is taking them for a ride.

Could water get in from a leaking radiator?

 

[BTB 500]

Could water get in from a leaking radiator?

On many autos the ATF has a cooling loop that runs through the bottom of the radiator. It's not a known problem with the 210 AFAIK but on some other Mercs with radiators manufactured by Valeo corrosion can allow water to leak into the ATF where the pipe passes through the rad.

This can trash the gearbox if not caught quickly.

 

[ANP320]

Are there any other ways water could get into the ATF, short of pouring it in?

 

[BTB 500]

Not that I can think of, unless the cap (where the dipstick goes in) is missing.

 

[ANP320]

Oops, moved. Sorry Mods. Know better next time.

Anyway, thanks for trying. Olly? I think there is a potential customer for you up near Petersfield. I'll put the word in again.

 

[ANP320]

Well, on the off chance that anyone is remotely interested, I think I now understand the link between the leaking roof bars and the transmission (if not the ATF).

It seems that while the car I mentioned in the thread starter was parked up for a period, water leaked in through the roof bars, down along the inside of the roof lining where it collected in the light fitting above the gear selector. It then dribbled steadily down through the centre console, where is accumulated and caused some considerable damage. Quite what the extent of this was and the cost of repair, I haven't yet gleaned (snatched conversations being the problem) but the person in question's car was off the road for two weeks. There was also water in the ATF but quite how it got there or whether it is directly related to the leaking roof, I don't know.

Apologies for previous epsiode of talking pants. A clear case of "sent three and fourpence, we're going to a dance"!

 

[BTB 500]

Never personally heard of water leaking in through roof rail mountings, but I suppose it's possible! Sunroof would be the normal cause, or a poorly sealed windscreen. Water leaks lower down from blocked scuttle drains etc.

 

[ANP320]

I hard a long hard look at the roof bars and there was a bit of corrosion around the base at the front. No sun roof.

I've heard of people spilling drinks etc down through the centre console. What's the damage if you do? Pretty grim I expect.