Rear windshield seal -- defroster wires

MrScott · 11-18-2009, 03:26 PM

I just had my windshield seals replaced (OEM from pelican.)
Anything wrong with this picture?

I'm hoping the white bits of caulk you see on the rear shelf were from the last install (and had to be removed) and not from this install...

sc_rufctr · 11-18-2009, 03:58 PM

You need to tuck those cables back into the seal.

I would take it back to the place that did the work and ask them to fix the cables.
They should be routed on the outside of the seal. (Near the metal frame) Not inside like they are.

Why are you worried about the white bits of caulk? Just vacuum them up.

MrScott · 11-18-2009, 04:25 PM

Thanks for the info on the wires.

I'm only worried about the caulk because from what I understand caulk isn't necessary when the seal's installed correctly.

mickey356 · 11-18-2009, 04:39 PM

WoW! Talk about coincidence!!! I JUST had my rear window seal replaced last night. The guy doing it (professional auto glass installer) was doing as a side job because his company wouldn't do it. Anyway, SAME thing with the defogger/defroster wires: He said the seal isn't the same as the original WRT the channels for wire routing. He has to come back saturday to finish up because he has to remove the glass again. Apparently the aluminun trim has to installed BEFORE you put the glass back in the car.

I'm very interested to see where this thread goes because, as it is with many things with my cars, getting things done "right" is almost impossible because very few "professionals" even know how to still do some of the repairs.
Mechanical stuff isn't a problem because between myself, my mechanic friend, and a reputable local Porsche shop I can usually find solutions and fixes (not to mention the vast knowledge here) but when it comes to things like this window seal replacement I think its hit or miss on what I'll get as far as quality.

ossiblue · 04:48 PM

+1 on the wires--take it back for re-installation. The wires are a PITA to install correctly which, as Peter said, is on the outside or lower channel of the seal (meaning, the channel that overlaps the metal window frame on the inside of the car. That requires putting holes through the barrier separating the outer (lower) and inner (upper, which holds the glass) channels and feeding the wires through the holes to the inside (upper) channel so they can connect to the heater wires--this has to be done during installation. It looks like they simply installed the windshield and hooked the wires up after the window was in and tucked them in between the glass and the seal (upper channel), but your picture isn't at the right angle to confirm that.

As far as caulk, it should not be necessary, but many installers use it anyway to insure a tight/waterproof fit at the corners. I've not seen white caulk before though. Usually it's a sticky, black sealant.

mickey356 · 11-20-2009, 06:29 PM

OK, I bought a rear windshield seal from a fellow pelican a few weeks back. I can only assume it was for a 74-89, like the one our host sells. I have a professional auto glass guy trying to install it and he's coming up way short on getting it right. He pulled the window again today to install the aluminum trim (mentioned in above post) and now the fit is even worse. He, and my friend who is a mechanic, are both saying this seal isn't the same as the original. That the defogger/defroster wires can't fit and therefore won't allow the trim to fit properly. My mechnic buddy ordered a seal from Worldpac to be delivered monday but I'm not holding out much hope that it'll be any better fit than what I have.
My question is - Is there anywhere that an original (exactly the same as the one that was on the car) can be purchased? The only reason I can see where the fit would be off is the shape of the glass or the way the defog/defrost wires attach. I don't know, but did Porsche change anything between the years of 1974-89? If they did, why is only one seal available for those years?
I can't tell you how frustrated I am with something so seemingly simple, but then again, maybe it's not so simple.

Any advice, input, etc... is much appreciated as I need to get this squared away ASAP. I'm stuck driving my 356 Speedster replica with no heat and it's F'ing cold at night!!! I want my nice warm 911 back

.

Mitch Leland · Mitch Leland's Garage

Mickey, I don't get it... you're having all kinds of problems with the wrong window gasket/seal, you're buying them from everybody, but the people who are providing this web site so you can ask all your questions.

Why don't you pick up the phone and talk to one of the Pelican sales people who are very knowledgeable on all things Porsche. Their prices are the best, and on some items you get free shipping. So next time instead of letting your buddy order from another company, be a stand up guy and support your host, Pelican Parts...

mickey356 · 11-20-2009, 10:13 PM

You're right Mitch. I bought the initial seal from another Pelican and have no reason to believe it was sold or bought as the "wrong" seal. The one my buddy ordered he did so by his own choice and can be returned if it isn't the correct one. My issue (as always with this car and my replica speedster vw) is most vendors are in Cali and other than Next Day or Second Day (which is ridiculously expensive) I'm looking at 10 days before delivery. If the one that my buddy ordered isn't the correct one I'll have to order from our host and wait it out. I have nothing against buying from our host and was only taking advantage of an "win win" offered me by a fellow Pelican and at the time I bought it our host was Out of Stock.
The problem is that now I'm in a tight spot and need to get this fixed asap. And to prevent any further frustration and buying/waiting/ ill fitting issues I'd like to make sure I have all the correct info before making more purchasing mistakes. I'm hoping someone here can fill me in on whether or not there are different seals for different years. Going by what our host offers it doens't seem there are any options for the years 1974-89. Or if there are, our host doesn't offer them.
I'd feel even more like a cheapskate calling and bothering the nice people at Pelican for free advice on a piece I didn't buy from them.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Why would a shop turn you away if they had a qualified installer on staff? Isn't it a bit silly to hire someone from the same company to do it after hours? If the guy did not know the trim had to be put in before pulling the window in he is clueless. Porsches are not the only cars with this type of seal!

I did this repair myself a few years back on the SC. Seal bought at Pelican. I am no brain surgeon and was able to do this in a few hours with the wife helping push when I roped it into place. The seal has no special channels for the wires and it is true that you have to punch a hole for the wires to be routed properly. You have to route them in the existing channel. Key - as always in DIY - is to pay attention how it comes apart and put it together the same way. No dangling wires, caulk and no leaks on my DIY install.

Good Luck,

George

ossiblue · 11-21-2009, 07:51 AM

+1 on all the above advice.

Once you get the OEM seal, be sure the installer places the seal on the windshield then, loosely lays the trim on top of the seal and adjusts the contour of the trim to bend with the seal.. This is an important step as the trim should fit as closely as possible with the shape of the seal without twists or rises.

Then insert the trim in the seal, using a lube like dish soap, and leave about 1/4" to 3/8" gap between the ends of the trim pieces which are centered at the top and bottom. Be sure the caps for the ends are slid on to one end of the trim and the gap is exposed. This helps the seal to lock into the corners of the windshield and avoid leaks and caulk.

Hopefully, you saved your old seal that had the wires inserted correctly so you can use it as a template to put new holes in the new seal. If not, have it done and figured out before any installation is attempted.

As mentioned above, any installer that is unaware of the pre-installation of trim on a Porsche is one to be avoided, IMO.

mickey356 · 11-21-2009, 08:37 AM

Thanks guys.
I guess I got the wrong seal then. I can't imagine this guy does windows for a living and, having the correct seal, would have so much trouble. I'd asked awhile back if this was a DIY and most advised to get a professional. As much as I work on my cars I trust the advice here and went to hire someone to do the work. I live in a relatively small town and there aren't a ton of places to that do auto glass work. I went with a place and (person) a friend suggested. Live and learn I guess.
The old seal is gone so I don't have a reference. I'll print out this thread and pass along the advice in it to the installer and maybe between that and getting the correct seal (though I still don't see how it will be any different from others) hopefully he'll get it in nice and tight with no wires sticking out.

aigel · aigel's Garage

I found an old thead from my install. You see that it wasn't a lot of fun, that's for sure.

George

Where do rear window defrost wires unplug?