rear window leaks in bottom corners, help!

the911Tprocess · 11-10-2006, 06:22 AM

I've repainted my car recently and had the windows out, to ensure that there would be no more leaks, I replaced the back window seal (done professionally). However, the thing still leaks at both lower corners. Any suggestions?

Venetian · 11-10-2006, 06:54 AM

I had the same problem with mine. I found a guy that does a lot of Porsche window work in Calgary. He pulled the rear window and cleaned the original grey sealer which was all crumbling. He put some type of black sealer on and used the original rubber seal.

I have not had it out in any heavy rain since but he apparently has done many of these and was confident that it solved the problem.

It took him approx 1 hour and he charged about $100.

KevinP73 · 11-10-2006, 07:07 AM

I see this happening a lot. When a car is repainted if the window opening is not properly cleaned even a new seal will leak.
The pics below show the problem on a front glass but it the same for the rear also.

Too often the prep guy won't take the time to properly clean the opening 'cause he figures you'll never see it once the window is back in.

the911Tprocess · 11-10-2006, 07:12 AM

thanks guys,
I suspect the people that put the glass in did not add a sealer to it. I'm going to take it to a auto glass shop to see what they can do.

Is there anything I can do, can I reseal it without taking the glass out?

Marc

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 11-10-2006, 07:18 AM

The stuff to use is an excellent 3M product called Windo-Weld Resealant. It's a black, gooey substance viscous enough that you can inject it into the space behind the rubber seal with a plastic syringe of the kind sold by hardware stores to inject such substances as glue. It can be a bit messy, but the Windo-Weld cleans up easily with the solvents used to clean paint of bug splats, wax and silicone.

Many modern window-sealing substances are in fact very strong glues, which you do not want to use. They're glues because windshields in modern cars are in fact often part of the passenger-side airbag system: the airbag comes out of the dash in an upward vector and is stabilized by the windshield between dash and windhield. If the airbag pops out the windshield, it's useless.

The Windo-Weld, however, is a "resealant," as it says.

ossiblue · 11-10-2006, 07:23 AM

Marc,

I'm no expert, but have had the same experience. I don't think there is anything you can do except follow the advice given--go to a pro and have the window removed and clean and seal the opening. Also, be sure the seal is original Porsche to ensure the best fit. There are many stories of after market seals that just do not fit properly. Better to be safe.

the911Tprocess · 11-10-2006, 07:43 AM

Thanks to all,

I've used an OEM seal that was bought locally. It seems to fit very well, at least visually. When the car was repainted a few months ago, the body shop really did a nice job at cleaning the inner edges of the window and channels, so I don't think it is dirt, etc. I'll have at go at the suggested sealant and see what happens.

Adam Reed · 11-10-2006, 08:12 AM

I just got my '66 back from the glass guys. New front windshield, new factory gaskets front and rear. I had everything out for paint, and while the space was reachable. I scraped all the old mud and gunk out of there and POR-15'd any ugly spots. I had at least one hole in the rear sealing area that led directly into the back deck, got that welded up and coated for protection as well. The new gaskets went in with the 3M black goo, and it was well worth the $100 to get a guarantee that the windows would not leak for the life of the car!

Little did they realize that I've already owned it for 34 years, and I plan for at LEAST another 34!

Adam912.Out.
'66 912, 2.2L T4 power, 480K miles!