Front windscreen leaks

[steveo3002]

his reply is what most sales places would do ..its like a band aid , chances are if you roar enough sealant in there it might stop it for a while

but yeah to fix it right the glass needs to come and see if theres any rust holes that need fixing (PROPERLY NOT FILLER)...rust repairs is something you need to get used to owning a old vw

[CovKid]

The problem with the band aid solution is its not actually buying any time at all as the rust is getting worse and will cost more to fix (although I think £500 is a bit wide). However, it buys time in terms of a wet foot though

The other side, is that a short term fix too often puts the problem out of mind completely and it never gets sorted. After all, those A pillars also form part of the strength up front.

To keep the cost down, remove screen yourself and find someone willing to come to you and sew it all up. Every article I've ever written for 80/90 is on the basis that budget is a primary consideration. There is nearly always a way to get the job done at a price you can afford, even if you have to do as much as you can yourself to achieve that.

[sternal]

Again good advice

I don't know of any mobile welders in London but then I haven't looked, in theory it would be great if I could do most of it myself...young family, work 6 days on then 1 day off then 5 days on 2 days off and any free time is spent with the family/diy or camping...and one major factor is I don't have any inside storage and it never stops raining so orchestrating it would be fun...

For the record absolutely no rust on the a pillars...

CovKid if you're offering to help I would happily pay you...being serious about that BTW

[CovKid]

You need someone local that could do with the beer money - thats your best option (ideally 80/90 member in your area). Try not to leave it too late fella. The difference once the front screen is done is astonishing - including far less chance of the windows steaming up on the inside, and a quieter cab - another product of leaky seals or rusty window apertures. The WIKI article should give you some idea of what is involved. If front rubber is old or original or (God forbid) a Just Kampers seal, cut it out and fit a new proper seal on reassembly. If you cut the seal, the glass comes out in minutes.

[sternal]

id go for its the original seal itS lived its life in Germany up until last September so no chance of being a JK seal !

Someone local in London for beer money...the price of beer is extortionate !

[jameshear]

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

I don't think I have a factory converstion - as I have a Holdsworth. Do you think you can supply me with the side rubbers? Thanks for your comments by the way - its very much appreciated.

Thanks to everyone in fact - looks like its pretty clear - if you can afford it - fix the rust (no filler) and put good, new seals in place.

[jameshear]

Hello,

Apologies if I'm not quite getting this. Or asking a stupid question.

So based on the fact that I have a panel van conversion (Holdsworth Villa) - I would need either the JK Kit - which doesn't fit very well?

Here's the link:

http://www.justkampers.com/vw-t25-parts ... -1992.html

Or buy the 5 pieces induvidually - and get a lengh of seal:

http://www.justkampers.com/vw-t25-parts ... 11378.html

OR:

As recommended here - get the factory rubber from the recommended website - plus source the rubber for my one window? (I have no chrome trim):

http://www.volkswagenemporium.co.uk/sho ... houtgroove
http://www.volkswagenemporium.co.uk/sho ... roove80-90
http://www.volkswagenemporium.co.uk/sho ... 90nogroove
http://www.volkswagenemporium.co.uk/sho ... aytonright
http://www.volkswagenemporium.co.uk/sho ... houtgroove
http://www.volkswagenemporium.co.uk/sho ... roove80-90

Cheers

[CovKid]

Emporium every time. Ask yourself how many times you expect to replace them. Plus the JK ones are a pig to fit and never look right. You'll regret it every time you look at them. I know lots in that boat...

I changed 1664's front windscreen rubber. He'll tell you, it didn't take long with a genuine one. In fact you can do it virtually single-handed.

[jameshear]

Emporium every time. Ask yourself how many times you expect to replace them. Plus the JK ones are a pig to fit and never look right. You'll regret it every time you look at them. I know lots in that boat...

I changed 1664's front windscreen rubber. He'll tell you, it didn't take long with a genuine one. In fact you can do it virtually single-handed.

Thanks CovKid.

[bicolour]

How to fix mine?
Getting quote at no for a welder to come out

Fill with fibreglass

Get a welder and do myself

What's the best option

[bicolour]

Don't be shocked if it looks like this



Mine this weekend

Does £60 seem ok to have repaired?

[CovKid]

Very reasonable I'd say but make sure all rust is sorted.

As for fibreglass noooooo

[CovKid]

The easiest way to do it is scrap existing window rubber. Cut the inside lip out with a stanley-type knife (watch your fingers and anywhere else!). Screen will lift out easily. Two people best but you can do it on your own if careful. Set the screen aside somewhere safe - very safe. Remove remaining rubber.

Go to local £ shop and get a rubber mallet and a length of their braided nylon washing line - you'll need it for the refit.

Get damage welded. As I said in WIKI you can do it with dash in but remove mats, ideally front seats or at least protect/cover seat with boards or similar to protext from grinder or welder sparks. Make good paintwork. Allow to dry.

Fit new GOOD rubber to screen, feed in washing line into rubber - right into groove where windscreen lip would go, overlapping the rope by a foot or so in the middle. Ensure any headling on van is tucked in so it won't be left out when screen is in. Use instant glue if you have to.

Line up screen with vehicle, apply gentle pressure to outside to help ease screen and rubber into place. tapping very gently with the mallet on window rubber to push it home as you pull on rope from the inside. Its actually easier to do than explain. You need enough pressure to push screen home but not so much you're fighting to pull out rope. Again go round rubber with the mallet and make sure screen is fully bedded.

Do this job with a JK rubber and you'll fight all the way - if it ever goes in, even with an army to assist you. Do it with the right one (that actually fits) and you could definately do it on your own - I did. The only reason you need a second person is to help maintain pressure from outside and to stop screen falling off. I just hopped in and out and managed fine.

I used B&Q roofing mastic (just cut small nozzle) under outside lip after fitting to ensure watertight seal. White spirit removes any excess. Your choice on that - it just worked for me. I'll let the purists argue over it until kingdom come, but as it clearly lets in water over time without mastic, I'm for the mastic.

I've changed well over 20 screens now and never broken one. Once its back in, you'll wonder why you were so fearful. Ignore the scare stories. Rocket science this isn't.

Do the removal/refitting yourself and welder will be really happy. It'll keep costs down too.

I've shown how its done. Its all there: http://wiki.club8090.co.uk/index.php/Bo ... well_leaks" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Heres the difference between seals:

First the JK 'thyroid' El-budget version:



And trust me, they are a complete PIG to fit. In fact its easier to fit a pig. It also bulges out horribly. Its just a naff seal.

Now the Emporium 'flush' and properly fitting one:



I put Mick on to these and he won't use anything less either. Any financial saving is lost in the times you'll end up saying "Why the hell didn't I fit a proper one" afterwards. You'll be stuck with it then. 1664 popped over and had his thyroid seal replaced for a proper one. He wasn't impressed with JK ones either. No disrespect to JK as they do some good stuff and often provide a good service but their seals suck in my view. I wouldn't buy them. The bay window ones were not much better.

[bicolour]

Looking to buy my new seal

Is it vw emporium.co.uk ? Was also looking at the brickwerks one but looking for the best and easiest to fit?

Also how come on fibreglass? I only ask cuz would it not be better if done correctly as it would not rot again?

[CovKid]

Replace rotted steel with new steel. As said the whole front forms part of your protection. It needs to be solid. I have never yet seen a body repair with fibreglass that stood the test of time. It is a patch, not a fix and has little strength. Do it professionally. If screen is out, get it welded up properly.

The most I'll use is filler. If its rotten, it has to go. I wouldn't even consider fibreglass to the front. The weakest parts of the bodywork are the ones that will give in a shunt. You're sat behind it though, not me.

http://www.volkswagenemporium.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;