Small Windshield Leak

[KatoKato]

I have a slight leak on the driver's side bottom corner.

I've read previous threads about using "3M window-weld" or similar and found Permatex flowable silicone glass and window selant at the local Canadian Tire.

Is application between the window and seal adequate for a short-term fix? OR should I also seal between the trim and seal?

Also -- When washing the car I've noticed that those little metal pieces in the middle of the glass "move"

Pics:



Is this normal?

Thanks for your help,
Kato

[Quicksilver]

Yeah, the little metal trim piece covering the gap is normal. The groove in the rubber that is exposed (when you slide it over) doesn't go all the way through so it isn't the cause of the leak.

Windshield leaks can be a bear to take care of. Sometimes the easiest solution is to have someone pop it out, clean it up and reinstall it. I lived with my leak for a few years until I got fed up with the leak and with the billion little pits in the windshield and just replaced the monster.

The guy that replaced it was a real wiz and mentioned that sometimes the 911 will leak because the installer used too much sealant.

[KatoKato]

Originally posted by Quicksilver
Windshield leaks can be a bear to take care of

That's what I thought. So water could be coming from anywhere and I'm shooting in the dark here.

I'll try sealing between window and seal for now.

Could it possibly be between the trim and seal (upper portion)?

[nhromyak]

I think the seals usually leak at the corners, especially the lower corners.

The factory did not use sealant. If you do use sealant on the glass into the rubber (like my installer did) it will squeak. I believe the glass is supposed to "float" in the front.

Basically, the alluminum trim piece makes the gasket seal to the car chassis. The formation of the trim (follow a bear windshield) makes the seal work better. However, if the rubber is older it won't seal and people use sealant.

I have R&R'd my windshield and seal twice now, because both previous times the installer used sealant.

Good luck.

[Glasgow 911SC]

It cant leak between the seal and the trim. There is no access to the cabin there. It can leak between the seal & frame or seal & glass.

[KatoKato]

Originally posted by nhromyak
...I believe the glass is supposed to "float" in the front.
Basically, the alluminum trim piece makes the gasket seal to the car chassis. The formation of the trim (follow a bear windshield) makes the seal work better. However, if the rubber is older it won't seal and people use sealant.

Great. That makes a whole lotta sense. I'll try the sealant for now and perhaps I'll get a new windshield / seals etc. when I have some cash to throw that way.

Cheers,
Kato

[nhromyak]

heh, that should be bare windshield.

[aigel]

You need a new windshield seal. Yours is likely hard and dry. Do not squirt sealer in there. It will make a horrible messs. I spent half a saturday cleaning up the silicone some PO squirted in there. Yes, the windshield leaked regardless. The sealer will bond nicely to the paint on the car side and you will breathe adhesive remover for a long time until you have it cleaned up.

This has been debated plenty on here, but generally sealers are discouraged and installation is done without sealers, just the rubber seal.

In my eyes you should do it right the first time. If you don't have the $, do it yourself. The seal is ony $50 or so.

Hope this helps.

George

[NoLift911]

Originally posted by aigel
You need a new windshield seal. Yours is likely hard and dry. Do not squirt sealer in there. It will make a horrible messs. I spent half a saturday cleaning up the silicone some PO squirted in there. Yes, the windshield leaked regardless. The sealer will bond nicely to the paint on the car side and you will breathe adhesive remover for a long time until you have it cleaned up.

This has been debated plenty on here, but generally sealers are discouraged and installation is done without sealers, just the rubber seal.

In my eyes you should do it right the first time. If you don't have the $, do it yourself. The seal is ony $50 or so.

Hope this helps.

George

Ditto - 911 gaskets, if installed properly, and not old, do not leak at all. I have installed a number of them with no leaks and no sealant. The sealant won't work anyway and you will wind up replacing the seal and generating a huge mess.

Also, water will still sit in places it is not suppose to if the seal is old, just replace it correctly and save yourself a lot of grief (and rust) in the long run.

-Jeff

[stormcrow]

I had a leak on the passenger side - inside on the corner - it was dripping down on the passenger side where the door meets the frame at the dash. Found out that the water was coming in between the frame and the seal at the center of the windshield - bottom.

So, I sealed up both the windshield and rubber seal all around along with rubber seal and frame. Since then no more leaks. It was amazing how the water traveled inside the dash area making me think it was the roof leaking on my Targa.

Steve

"A Porsche does more then just go fast in a straight line"

[KatoKato]

Originally posted by nolift911
...Also, water will still sit in places it is not suppose to if the seal is old, just replace it correctly and save yourself a lot of grief (and rust) in the long run...

I hear ya. I do need a new windshield so I think I'll do both, hopefully soon!

Kato

[bigchillcar]

most 911's leak in the upper corners, not the lower corners, even with oem seals. if you do get a new seal, make sure it's oem and not an aftermarket..they ain't the same. good luck.
ryan

[aigel]

Originally posted by KatoKato
I hear ya. I do need a new windshield so I think I'll do both, hopefully soon!

Kato

Kato:

Just keep the silicone out and rather have it leak for a little while. Will make the new window / seal install much easier.



George

[KatoKato]

Originally posted by aigel
Just keep the silicone out and rather have it leak for a little while. Will make the new window / seal install much easier

I think I'll do that.

Perhaps I'll start a new thread to find someone locally who can do the install for me ... and also to source out a new windshield.

Thanks again,
Kato

[KatoKato]

Originally posted by aigel
....In my eyes you should do it right the first time. If you don't have the $, do it yourself. The seal is ony $50 or so.....

How difficult is a windshield replacement?

With my lack of experience I'd be afraid I'd smash it to pieces, scratch the paint on the car, or get it only to find that when I drove away the windshield implodes on me.

Is this best left to those with experience? (that's what I think)

Cheers,
Kato

[bigchillcar]

it's apparently easy to break a 911 windshield..so much so that even the pros manage to do it occasionally. if you aren't confident, leave it to a pro, kato..that's what i did when i had my seals replaced.
ryan

[ZLP]

Originally posted by bigchillcar
it's apparently easy to break a 911 windshield..so much so that even the pros manage to do it occasionally. if you aren't confident, leave it to a pro, kato..that's what i did when i had my seals replaced.
ryan

How much is the going rate to R&R a windshield?

[bigchillcar]

from distant memory i'll hazard a guess as to the cost of new windshied glass at $250-300..hopefully someone else will chime in and confirm..
ryan

[aigel]

If you have it done, stay with the car and watch it done. You can ROYALLY mess up the widshield channels if the installer scratches around in there with a sharp object, through the paint. Moisture will always sit in there and before you know it, in a couple years, you windshield area will be rusted out. Happened to a friend of mine on his rabbit. Installers usually also use sealer that they squirt in there. Great for them, because it will give them 100% results, but bad for you, if you ever have to go in there again and remove the mess!

Sorry, but I do not agree that these windshields break easily. Not easier than any other windshield. If you are reasonably careful, you will have no trouble. The risk associated with a bad installer is far greater than you breaking the glass.

George

[real550A]

making me think it was the roof leaking on my Targa.

Oh..... it is, just maybe not around the windshield seal!