Is my rear windshield sealant trim leaking?

[sugarwood]

After getting caught in the rain, I noticed a spot of condensation on the inside of my rear glass.


I removed the rear parcel and inspected. It seemed totally dry.



After reading windshield trim rust rot threads, is this something to be concerned about?
I never drive in the rain, if I can avoid it. What are the options?

UPDATE:
I peeled back the seal and put a dab of waterproof sealant in there.
I finally drove in the rain yesterday and despite the typical pooling in the corner,
this time, no condensation inside, so the fix worked, and seal seems to be good now.

[4flyboy]

Hi Sugarwood,

Mine is definitely leaking in this spot. My rubber seal has hardened and shrunken (original). I've purchased the Porsche replacement for both the front and rear glass and will install them as soon as practical. My rear shelf does show signs of water intrusion when I pull the parcel shelf covering.

There is a general consensus (to my mind) that replacement seals while very pricey are best purchased as original equipment from Porsche.

Good luck with it,

Scott

[wayner]

Per the advice of Timmy2, this is what I am now using:
3m glazing compound

For those of you who are not ready to pull out your glass but are concerned about adding protection, mask the area either side of the seal, squeeze some in under the seal, and clean up the excess using a rag dampened with mineral spirits. It cleans right up

Here is the thread I started where that advice appears

Why windshield trim should be a regular maintenance item.

[sugarwood]

I think I will try squeezing some glazing compound under the seal, if there is a gap in the seal.
I avoid the rain, so this is not something that will happen frequently.

Can you remove and replace the seal without removing the glass? Is that complex?

[sugarwood]

Thanks for the tip.
I peeled back the seal and put a dab of waterproof sealant in there.
In my younger days, I would have used too much. This time, it was nice and clean.

I have a feeling those horror stories are from cars stored outside for years on end.
The 911 rear window seal curve does pool water in the corners.

[grizzfan]

Sugarwood asks:

Can you remove and replace the seal without removing the glass? Is that complex?

The glass has to come out with the seal. It's a particular tough job getting the leads to your window defroster into the seal correctly. I had a glass shop guy do mine and he was crying before it was done! If I remember correctly the rear seal was a Genuine Porsche seal from our sponsor. We ended up sending it back as it appeared to be defective. Pelican sent us a new one and it worked OK. No leaks.

Good luck,

Tom

[Jp-oh]

Originally Posted by grizzfan

Sugarwood asks:

The glass has to come out with the seal. It's a particular tough job getting the leads to your window defroster into the seal correctly. I had a glass shop guy do mine and he was crying before it was done! If I remember correctly the rear seal was a Genuine Porsche seal from our sponsor. We ended up sending it back as it appeared to be defective. Pelican sent us a new one and it worked OK. No leaks.

Good luck,

Tom

Quoted for truth.

[cmonref]

Here is a thread that deals with sealing the corners of the front and rear glass. A piece of wood ship is used to form the aluminum trim, with the window and trim installed, so that the corner seals properly.

Gap between Rubber Windshield Seal & Body

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

I peeled back the seal and put a dab of waterproof sealant in there.

Update. I finally drove in the rain yesterday and despite the typical pooling in the corner,
this time, no condensation inside, so the fix worked, and seal seems to be good now.

Just a tiny dab of caulk or whatever should work.
Use very little since it will get flattened and pushed out from under the seal.

[wayner]

This makes me very happy to hear.

I'm not sure why so many people are so resistant to giving those seals a little bit of help and the chassis a fighting chance to live.

[rywats]

Bump this thread...

Do you guys find the leak coming from the contact between the glass and the seal where it pools or is it possible for water to leak in on the otherside of the seal, where it touches the body?

I added some sealant between the seal and the glass, but still have water pooling inside. Maybe I need to add some more..

[wayner]

I chased one (almost phantom) leak

Water from the roof would follow the outside of the seal and make its way in midway down the window ( on the body side of the seal)

[rywats]

It's quite annoying. I've tapped off areas attempting to find it. I don't really want to pull the window out yet because I'm not ready to do the headliner...

[wayner]

A bit of that 3m glazing compound under the lip should do the trick if it's minor

... And it cleans up with minerals spirits if the time comes to do a full replacement

[gliding_serpent]

I have the same problem in my rear window, both corners... And my seals are not so old by the look of them. No rust when i did the carpets in the winter however.

I got a new rear window seal and i am having it put in when i get my new bumpers painted at the end of the month. I figure that is a good time, as any rust can be dealt with as needed.

I will have them do the 3m glazing.