Water Leak Near Window- No Apparent Source

About 6 months ago, we moved into a stucco exterior home built in 2006. The house has a breakfast nook surrounded by windows. We noticed that the interior framing around the only functional (opening) window of the nook had some evidence of water damage-- slightly peeling paint, cracking at the wood seams. We never noticed any actual water, so we naively assumed there had previously been a water issue- possibly from leaving the window open- and that the cosmetic aspects of it just hadn't been repaired.

It has been lightly raining last night and this morning. This morning I noticed a small amount of water dripping from the interior framing. Maybe about a tablespoon's worth of water total. It seems to be coming from the top window frame and then dripping down onto the bottom frame and ultimately the floor.

The exterior of this window is pretty well shielded, and there is no indication of water intrusion from the outside. I opened the functional window, and there is no indication of water coming in from that point. I believe it is all coming from the top through the actual wood.

Any thoughts? I am obviously concerned about having to tear this whole frame out to find the problem. We've gotten hit with a lot of expenses lately, and I am wondering how long I can put this off.

Exterior of window (far right window):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/x8v98hb6rp60ezm/IMG_2514.JPG?dl=0

Interior of whole window (far left):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/kngjngvzkkrqzbo/IMG_2517.JPG?dl=0

Close up of top window:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qyn5yvvffftpbqw/IMG_2515.JPG?dl=0

More close up of area where water seems to be leaking:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/lt5s4isnp9rqk04/IMG_2519.JPG?dl=0

Have you checked the gutters to see if they are clogged with debris?

Sometimes it is found to be that the window flashing was not installed or not installed correctly. With a stucco exterior I'm honestly not sure how to determine this is or is not the case without a lot of repair work.

kok328 said:

With a stucco exterior I'm honestly not sure how to determine this is or is not the case without a lot of repair work.

Click to expand...

Easy, take a hose and start water testing, one area at a time.

No, I did not think to check the gutters since they are about a foot away from the side of the house. I could always check that though.

Maybe that is the solution. The odd part is that the stucco normally shows water really easily and there was no visible water. I am thinking it must be somewhere near the gutter or roof.

Poor fit and finish, upper window and panel between my indicate previous repair or investication has been done.
Could be condensation.
Could be roof leak with most water going somewhere else.
Water could be from anywhere above.
There is flashing above the windows but newer meathod is to turn up the edges of the flashing to stop water from driping off the side behind the siding.
The upper window next to this has the stucco curved out appears to come out beyond the bottom of of the window could catch water and feed it in.