W126 Sunroof rain leak...help me narrow this down.

[Fulcrum525]

When it rains I have a leak of water that mostly trickles down the drivers side A pillar (It comes from underneath the cover) Occasionally it also leaks down the ride hand pillar as well during very heavy rains) It leaks if the car is moving or stationary. I ran a wire down the front sunroof drains a few weeks back and it didn't seem to do anything. Car has 272,000 miles on it.

Questions-

Would a wire be sufficient in clearing the channels? (I checked and water does drip out of the front ones)

What is the best approach to cleaning the rear drains?

Is it possible that this leak is actually being caused by the windshield seal?

[82B3NZ]

Open sunroof and check the drain, could be rusted. Remove the trim that holds the rear view mirror and check the tubes to make sure its connected. Could also be the windshield.

[vstech]

on my 79TD I had that issue, turned out to be micro rust holes in the front of the sunroof. start cleaning, and look closely at the front. you may have to remove the trim around the sunroof, and the air diverter assembly, and the side trim... maybe time to replace the brushes on the sides of the sunroof?

[Fulcrum525]

Originally Posted by vstech

on my 79TD I had that issue, turned out to be micro rust holes in the front of the sunroof. start cleaning, and look closely at the front. you may have to remove the trim around the sunroof, and the air diverter assembly, and the side trim... maybe time to replace the brushes on the sides of the sunroof?

Well here is what confuses me. It started to leak last year when one of my lifter arms had busted and left my sunroof lopsided when closed. However the leak didn't start until sometime after that arm had broken. At the time a assumed it leaked because of the gap. Now I don't know if something got stuck in the drains as a result of the opening or if it just happened to be time for the windshield seal to go (Oddly enough the rear window seal is fine) Speaking of the front seal....I can see a small piece of black rubber protruding from under the chrome trim (Will post pictures in the morning)

[69shovlhed]

blow compressed air down the drain tubes. make sure the hoses are connected to the drains. if the hoses are connected and clear, check to make sure all the seals are in place where the panel meets the roof.

[benhogan]

This little guy is the ticket!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96043

[Fulcrum525]

Originally Posted by benhogan

This little guy is the ticket!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96043

Hmm, there is a Harbor Freight location about 10 minutes away from me and that is cheap....I think i'll be going for a little drive later

[hey_allen]

I was thinking I had a sunroof leak on my 300sd for the longest time, until I finally got bored and pulled the headliner trim that goes across just inside the windshield during some rainy weather.

I found that it was leaking at the top left corner of the windshield, and puddling on the trim, running down the A pillar and out.

[Fulcrum525]

ok I bought the harbor freight drain cleaner and used it but it looks like I've still got a leak somewhere (Oh well, the tool cost less then $3 and it could still come in handy in the future.)

I did a test by myself and water also came out of the rear drains. I will need help though to do a test on the windshield seal (Someone to sit in the car while I poor water only on the windshield and not the sunroof)

[82B3NZ]

Remove the trim around the sunroof to help pinpoint it.

[Johnt49]

Pull the front trim as suggested. Mine snaked out & passed water fine, but there was a hole in the nipple at the left front drain hose. There was enough left after cutting off the rusted part to re attach the hose after treating with Ospho & POR 15.