Leaking windscreen

Post by **57traveller** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 9:03 am

My front screen developed a leak some time ago and I tried one of the proprietary sealants without success. It made it worse

The car has been to a Morris Minor specialist twice now and their windscreen "expert" has removed the whole thing and re-sealed on each occassion. The second time he used a copious amount of special sealant but to no avail - it still leaks!

I've booked the car in again for him to have another try.
The water leaks in from the same place each time, bottom left as you're looking forward. It only needs use of the washers for the water to appear inside. I'm certain it is safe to assume the leak is at this corner and not higher up because of the fact it leaks with washer use.
The rubber seal has not been renewed - they reckon it is o.k. and it's always best to refit if possible. It feels and looks a bit harder than it should to me. I want to get this sorted, my concern is that water may collect around the window aperture and eventually cause corrosion.
Any ideas.

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 11:58 am

There are 3 other possibilities in this area.
1 Are you sure the washer pipe has not come apart somewhere.
2 There is a grommet under the wiper spindle that causes some interesting leaks.
3 Also the gasket underneath the Bonnet hinge is another source of leaks is the hinge tight.
If the windscreen has been sealed properly there should be a small puddle in that corner after ir rains or just pour a bit of water in the corner it should not dissapear but just evaporate if its sealed properly.

Post by **57traveller** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 3:20 pm

Definitely the windscreen Kevin. The water can be seen between the rubber and glass inside the car. It's running down from under the rubber and to the left of the nearside glovebox.
Unfortunately on this occasion neither the washers nor bonnet hinges can be to blame.
The fellow who's carried out the job, twice now, must have done hundreds (on Minors) before.

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 4:15 pm

they reckon it is o.k. and it's always best to refit if possible.

Not heard of that before.
If its going hard its coming to the end of its life and as its in the area where you say leaving a watermark on the interior paintwork, the chances are it has a split or crack in that area somewhere, you often see them like that when they are relly old.
One in good condition would be pliable with a shiney sort of finish, I recon a new one is needed they are around £20:00.
And as you say the last thing you want is a corroded winscreen opening.

Post by **57traveller** » Thu Nov 27, 2003 8:51 am

On the first occasion I asked them to fit a new rubber seal, for the sake of £20 and while the screen is out, it has to be common sense. That's when I was told that it usually depends on the condition of the existing. I thought it a strange comment at the time but I bowed to the experience of someone with years of Minor widscreen experience. Possibly mistakenly.
They didn't charge last time, and so they shouldn't, but I will REALLY insist that a new rubber surround is fitted this next time.
I have compared the look and feel of the surround between the Traveller and my saloon, the saloon looks and feels totally different (better).

Post by **winger300** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 6:38 pm

Mine is also leaking, since i had the rubber replaced. The chaps who replaced it said it wouldn't need any sealant since it was a new rubber.

I found it did leak, so i got them to seal it, but they would only put sealant along the inside between the rubber and glass. Lo and behold its still leaking.

Where can i buy a decent quantity of windscreen mastik? The stuff they sell at halfords is inadequate for the amount of sealing i need to do.

Post by **salty_monk** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 7:25 pm

I've just used some "Wurth" Silicone sealer on my dodgy old rubbers to great effect. It's a clear one & is one that remains flexible & will even set under water, good if the rubbers have retained some moisture....
I'll try to remember to get the name off the tube later & let you know what it was.

Post by **les** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 9:58 pm

One of the things I have found when fitting screens is to ensure that the filler strip spreads the rubber well into the corners of the aperture and to make sure it is cut long enough to keep the rubber there. If not it is quite possible for water to get in these corners and cause problems such as leaking and corrosion.

Post by **winger300** » Tue Dec 02, 2003 2:53 pm

Sikaflex 295. It seems to only one for sealing windows. However its £22 + p&p for a 300ml tube!

I came across this site which suggests using Roof & Gutter sealant.
http://www.head2head.free-online.co.uk/ ... screen.htm

Should this be ok to use? Its available at B&Q for £4

Post by **winger300** » Wed Dec 03, 2003 12:18 am

i got the Unibond equivalant from B&Q, its a bitumen based sealant. Which i think should be fine.

Post by **les** » Wed Dec 03, 2003 9:24 pm

I felt happier getting some from a screen replacement shop, more chance of it being the right stuff.

Post by **57traveller** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 3:18 pm

Windscreen's been out again, this time new rubber seal fitted as well. Although there was no apparent reason for the leak. Fingers crossed.
Does anyone know if rubber becomes porous with age? At the point of water entry the rubber seemed to be softer than the remainder and gave the appearance of being saturated with water. After the last re-seal it was about two weeks before the water started leaking in, during that two weeks the car was driven a couple of times in quite heavy rain and all stayed dry. Its as though over a period of time the water was possibly seeping through the rubber once maximum absorbancy was reached.
A mystery!!

Post by **olly** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 3:53 pm

Stikaflex is awesome stuff but have fun getting the windscreen out again!

Post by **winger300** » Sat Dec 13, 2003 1:38 am

my screen is still leaking even though i've put loads of sealant around it!

I have a split screen which doesnt help matters. At the centre pillar there is always a pool of water at the bottom.

It also leaks at the bottom left and right corners. The water runs from between metal and rubber, but i can't see how the water could possibly get in at the corners since there is sooo much sealant in this place. And it doesn't appear to be running down to the corners from anywhere else.

There is no sealant between glass and rubber though, but the water pools on the outside at the corners, so i know it's not seeping in between the glass/rubber.

I'm really stumped with this. Any ideas?

Post by **Kevin** » Sat Dec 13, 2003 9:31 am

Hi Geoff this link says the folder is empty no pictures

Post by **winger300** » Sat Dec 13, 2003 6:53 pm

i think i've sorted it now.

I had to remove the chrome surround strip, lift up the rubber and lay Roof&Gutter sealant in.

Putting the chrome surround strip back meant it all squeezed out, but i think its filled all the gaps.

The sealant can be cleaned up using white spirit.