Fixing Slightly Leaking Windshield?

[SeaDweller]

After a heavy rain, I noticed water intruding into my cabin. I'm 99.9% sure it's coming from the lower corners of the windshield. I'm not in a position to replace the windshield, so is there any harm in injecting some silicone caulk into the gap, under the rubber, as a stop-gap measure?

Thanks!

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Michael
'78 911SC Euro

[Zendalar]

No harm, if you put the silicone there when its dry. If there is water inside the sealings, it will start the rusting process..

[Fishcop]

Don't use silicone, it's not what a pro would use to install your window in the first place, so why use it now? Try and source a correct window sealant. It'll be black and messy, but will do the job better.

I had a similar problem several months ago, with some encouragement from friends and my mechanic, I removed my window, replaced the seal (about US$40), and re-fitted the window and trim in one afternoon. It required two people, but the result is now a perfectly sealed front window with very little outlay. Perhaps it might be worth your while to give it a go?

Good luck


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John Forcier
69 911T

[Jens Wendorff]

I have doen it with special window sealant as I found out that the new window seal was not perfectly watertight. I don't think it is silicone based, as it is not really hardening.You should get it at a local auto-parts store
Worked perfect for 3 years, but for sure does not look concours-like.

Jens

I had a similar case with a '73T. I tried a number of sealants and all worked for a while. I recall that once I got up to freeway speed in the rain it started leaking again. I went ahead and got a new window seal, followed the factory manual procedure to remove the old and install the new (after letting it sit in the hot sun for an hour to soften it). Took about 4 hours with cleaning up the glass and mounting surfaces. No worries after that. One note, be very careful to not bend the chromed trim as that can throw off the fit. Otherwise, it was not that hard, even though I had never done a windshield seal before.

[Allan Broadribb]

Don't use silicone - it won't work.

How do I know - John Walker told me.

But I went ahead and used silicone anyway and it still leaked. Now I am doubly sure it doesn't work and I will be pulling my windshield soon and installing a new seal.

Lesson: no point in asking for advice if your not going to use it.

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Allan Broadribb
'70-911E, 2.2l with Webers
http://www.cheaterswayside.com/uploads/Mvc-002s355.jpg

[Superman]

Use Glazing Compound. It's black and messy, but does not do the bad things that silicone does.

Wanna see body and paint guys run? Stand at the service door of a body shop and say in a loud voice "Where is that silicone caulking now that I need it?" The shop will empty looking for the 'idiot' that wants to use silicone on a car.

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'83 SC

[john walker's workshop]

get a can of "3M windo-weld resealant" and the pump that screws into the can, at your local autobody supply store. most auto parts stores can order the stuff, too. common solvent as used in solvent tanks is the ticket for cleanup, along with lots of rags. won't hurt the paint. the pump has a flat tip that slips in between the rubber and glass/body. it's messy, but it works. don't use silicone. it's worthless in this application and looks amateurish.

[This message has been edited by john walker's workshop (edited 07-10-2001).]