wetness or condensation around ignition switch?

[240dddd]

I went to start my w124 87 300TD that had been sitting for a few days and there was beads of water around the ignition switch tumbler.

Has anyone ever seen this in their w124? I'm wondering if it is maybe condensation from the recent cold and rainy weather? Or is there a pathway for a leak around the ignition tumbler mechanism?

[Diesel911]

I have not ever read of anything in the normal setup that would bring water to the Ignition Lock Tumbler. Oil is a different story. Oil can come from the vacuum shutoff on the steering colum lock.

[Rogviler]

Somewhere I have a picture of my ignition lock covered in ice from a freakishly cold day last year, the only thing inside the car that was. It's a 123 but I bet the scenario is the same-- it's a large chunk of metal that will attract any stray moisture in the car when it gets cold.

The only thing you might view it as is a symptom of a leaky seal or drain somewhere letting a trickle of rain in to provide said stray moisture.

[resago2000]

maybe it possible that the switch gets colder than the rest of the "slightly" more insulated cabin due to the vacuum hoses it connects to that run to the cold iron engine.
in that case, your hunch about condensation would make sense.
just a thought.