Windscreen leakage

[Onne]

I keep having problems with water seeping past the rubber. Is there anything temporary I can do?
The rubber leaks in both corners, and where the centre pillar is.

I was thinking silicon sealant of some sort, that is quite easily removable, when changing the actual rubber.

This all because I need to do a 200 mile run, no time to change the rubber, and rain forecast

[paulk]

Well most moggies I've seen have some Silicon or something similar on it. Yellowmog included

Slap it on and enjoy your drive

[Onne]

Will do! Now to get some silicon gunk... thanks Paulk

[Peetee]

I had a leak on my front screen after the rubber was replaced with new. I thought I would have to get the blokes back to fix it but a couple of long runs in the car seem to have cured it. I can only presume the flexing of the body helped the rubber to settle in tight. You will find that most silicon sealants dont seal well if the area is wet but there are sealants which are designed to cope with screens that arn't dry. I can't vouch for how good they are though.

[Onne]

I might give Hellfrauds a go. Do you think they'd know what a windscreen is?

[Packedup]

You should be able to get silicone (silicon? Never can remember which is which) that's designed for the job, whereas the cheap bathroom type usually doesn't do bodywork much good as it cures.

I think I've seen both black and clear available in quite expensive (for the size) tubes at most motor factors.

As a temporary fix (if you're going to replace the rubber or screen in the near future) try a bit of vaseline liberally smeared over the join between rubber and glass, beneath the lower end of the wiper sweep (you don't want greasey wipers!)

[Onne]

So I have taken a careful look at the rubber. Which is probably as porous as sponge. I have put a bit of sealant in between the glass and the rubber, we'll see what happens tomorrow!

[chickenjohn]

You may also have to inject sealant between the rubber and body of the car to (metal screen aperture). I had to on the traveller and the screen is now (almost) water tight! I think now the water is still getting in between the glass and rubber at the bottom of the screen and seeping to the corners where it drips inside the car. Another go with the sealant gun and i might be able to put the carpets back in! Luxury! ;)

Clean out all the old crud first before injecting new stuff.

[chickenjohn]

Yes, I'd also reccomend the proper windscreen sealant rather than sillicone, as the proper stuff remains flexible and only partially dries.

[Onne]

Mine is begging for a fresh rubber, I have one (two actually!) at home, but don't really look forward to doing the whole remove-the-windscreen-adventure.

Onne

[chickenjohn]

Even if you do fit a new rubber it may need sealant to be leak free. Best to use the original one if its not too persished as the modern replacements can be poor quality and not last.

[Onne]

I think my old one is a repro one already. I think I'll have it done professionally, and get some garantuee

[les]

The secret seems to be (on later models) getting the plastic filler strip to push the rubber well into the corners, if not the rubber tends to 'bend' into the curve of the screen appeture and not fully contact the body. Also if the screen leaks the trapped water can rot the scuttle panel which is not an easy repair. Unfortunately I've got to redo mine before it's too late.

[Onne]

...problem is it is a splitscreen, and carglass people aren't that used to those anymore. I wonder why?

[wanderinstar]

Hi Onne, If you haven,t cured it yet you could try smearing Vaseline round rubber as a temp and easy repair. I did this last autumn and its still workink.
Have two new rubbers to go in but am waiting till I repaint car. Easter hopefully????
Ian.

[mossymorris]

this problem has made the metal lip on the body go rusty where the join is between the dash and the body.