Front windscreen leaks

[jameshear]

Hello all,

I'm suffering from the common front windscreen leak - as written about here:

http://wiki.club8090.co.uk/index.php/Bo ... well_leaks" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Plus my other seals are also leaking water.

As I recently purchased the bus - I contacted the previous owner - and asked if he would be willing to put it right - as a leaky bus, and quite likely rusty - is not a good thing. A VW Specialist confirmed that I would need a new seal or seals - and almost certainly some remedial rust work - but the previous owner responded with this:

"I must add that I don’t anticipate replacing any seals as, if there is a leak, then some mastic sealant needs to be reapplied - seals themselves are almost never replaced, it would be a total waste of money, time and effort. There are always gaps in converted vans such as Daisy and sometimes the sealant needs to be updated after 30 years."

He has offered to do this himself - but I was wondering:

a) Is this really a fix?
b) Is what he is saying have any merit - I would assume that rubber deals perish over time, shrink and would therefor need replacing?

Thanks all

[sciroccotune]

The classic cause of windscreen leak is that the metal underneath the seal rusts and degrades stopping the seal sealing. I agrees that the seals don't often fail but it's difficult to repair without cutting the seal to get the screen out. Mastic/silicone may sort it short term but not long term if it's rusted.

That's said I don't suppose the precious owner is legally bound to fix a leak so you may want to lake him up on it

[max and caddy]

As above...silicone is totally unsuited to the task as as it cures it releases acid and will promote rusting, "mastic" (tm) covers a lot of different gloop and most are unsuited as well...vw do a butyl based sealand that is for windows but its hard actually get it where it's needed when the rubber is old, hard, and likely cracked...if the rubber is still soft and supple I would re use genuine windscreen seal will a bit of butyl but nowt beats a fresh seal...and no sealer is able to stop the rust lifting it up..

Best option is window out..fix the rust, new seal on new paint.

I normally put tesa tape on the bottom seam and brush cavity wax round the frame and let it harden when I do a window..no leaks and protected seams.

[Plasticman]

seldom have i seen more utter crap written,
first forget looking to the seller to put right, bought as seen usually and if you dont know your way round a van then you should have taken advice
so for the remedy then glass and seals removed and the rot that will be present making good and then glass replaced with new seals,
do NOT buy jk seals, as unless things have changed and im all ears then they are not the best fit, see
http://www.volkswagenemporium.co.uk/shop/contact.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
for fr/rr screen seals and also if you have a velle conversion .ie; factory side glass. if you have a van conversion i can probably supply you with side window rubber that works.
mm

[Ralf85]

seldom have i seen more utter crap written,
first forget looking to the seller to put right, bought as seen usually and if you dont know your way round a van then you should have taken advice
so for the remedy then glass and seals removed and the rot that will be present making good and then glass replaced with new seals,
do NOT buy jk seals, as unless things have changed and im all ears then they are not the best fit, see
http://www.volkswagenemporium.co.uk/shop/contact.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
for fr/rr screen seals and also if you have a velle conversion .ie; factory side glass. if you have a van conversion i can probably supply you with side window rubber that works.
mm

Excellent advice!

[bicolour]

Don't be shocked if it looks like this



Mine this weekend

[Plasticman]

I've a screen to pop put this coming week,I will show some picks as usual and if I recall there are few external signs of whats lurking

mm

[max and caddy]

Don't be shocked if it looks like this



Mine this weekend

Vactan and bath sealer will sort that.

[jameshear]

Thank you all for your responses. It's much appreciated. Keep them coming.

[max and caddy]

Just to be sure...I was joking about bath sealer..

[bicolour]

Lol
Really
Plumbers mate fixes everything lol

[mbcamper]

My windscreen also leaks... and having inspected the side of the van I've also discovered that so do the side windows ... I wouldn't be shocked if you had the same issue at the side too.

Eventually I'm working on removing all glass and replacing the ~30 year old seals...

I don't think it's unusual.

Mark

[sternal]

or if you don't have the funds for now do what I did
it hasn't leaked...

http://forum.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.p ... 2&start=30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CovKid]

Although in the vast majority of cases that won't work because the water usually comes in from the rubber above the screen, trickling down unseen, under the rubber, until it gets in the corners. You could always stick some at the top though - that would stop the water, although not the rust.

Really, the only thing putting tape along the bottom does is stop the wind from forcing the water in thats sitting in the corners, when you pull off. When it does overflow, which it will, it'll still come in but now it'll run down the back under the mats (where you won't notice it), rather than drip on your foot. Its a bit like sweeping dust under a rug in fact.

[sternal]

It's a fair point you make it's been like that since the end of October last year and it's not leaked one bit (not even under the mats), I check every time in rains! I know it's only buying time but before I spend the best part of £££ ? I want to get to know the van first, I don't have the space time knowledge to undertake the job so it would mean paying someone and I imagine there'd be no change from £500+...