Leaking sunroof/rear view mirror???

[RiX-007]

Hi all.

This is my first post to the forum but I have been learning from it for some time and admire the huge wealth of knowledge on here so I’m hoping someone might be able to help me out.

I own a 2003 E270 CDI with the panoramic roof which seems to have developed a leak. I have searched the forums for similar problems but haven’t been able to find anything with this specific symptom……when it rains I have water coming into the car through the rear view mirror. Presumably it is somehow getting into the button console on the ceiling and then running down the inside of the conduit to the inside of the rear view mirror. Usually it only comes out when I am cornering so I’m presuming the water is being collected in the mirror and coming out when the cornering motion pushes the water up the edge of the mirror unit. Obviously I’m more concerned with how the water is getting into the mirror in the first place because I’m concerned about the wires & connections in there becoming corroded. Has anybody ever heard of this problem before or have any ideas how to fix it?

Having read through posts regarding sunroof leaks my first port of call was trying to find the drain tubes and seeing if they are blocked, but I’m sorry to say I can’t find them. Do I have to remove trim to be able to access them? The only opportunity I’ve had to look was last night in the dark a hunting for the drains with a torch so I might just be blind, but if someone could point me in the right direction that would be great.

Thank you all for any help/advice you can offer.
Best wishes,
Rick.

 

[jonam]

Not sure if this helps but I had problem where water would leak in to the car and flood the floor (VW), not via the rear view but hopefully the method for tracking down the source may help. I spent a few days trying to locate the source of the leak by pouring very small amounts of water with a bit of food colouring to each of the drain holes in the sunroof (different colour for each hole). Using this method I managed to track it down to the drainage tube that had come away on the drivers side pillar leading to the engine bay/behind the trim, simply routed the tube back in and all was fine – My only concern with using this method to track it down in your case would be any potential staining of the headlining/dripping on to seats etc

 

[RiX-007]

Thanks Jonam.
That's good thinking, but like you say I would be a bit concerned about staining the head lining or the leather.
I think first I'll see if I can find out how to remove the console that the mirror attaches to and see if I can see how the water is getting into it that way.