TheSamba.com :: View topic - new looking Fastback winshield seal, but still leaks?

Thu Nov 13, 2008 1:23 pm

I have a 68 Fasty with new looking window rubber. I live in WA so it rains here quite a bit. There is a constant drip when it rains and I noticed that both bottom corners of the windshield rubber are leaking into the car. I have removed and resealed the fresh air vents as well as replaced the windshield wiper bearing o-rings. The windshield seal looks to be in very good condition. Has anyone had this happen before? What would cause the seal to look great but still leak only in the bottom corners?

Thu Nov 13, 2008 2:33 pm

Badly made or installed seal. Must come out, unfortunately.

Thu Nov 13, 2008 5:49 pm

This is a proverbial problem with split window busses too. A good quality seal meshed with a good quality sealing surface (metal on car) should seal out the H2O.

Thu Nov 13, 2008 6:31 pm

Yeah, ditto and whatnot... It is more than likely the seal not seating properly but it could also be the R word. In either case you need to pull the windscreen.

Thu Nov 13, 2008 9:45 pm

are you sure it's leaking from the corners of the 'windscreen'? here in Va, 'windshield' leaks could also be leaks caused from the the fresh air drain tube being clogged, or cracked, which could make it seem like water is coming in from the the corners of the windshield(windscreen in other countries, but not in the US), and it can also leak down around rot near the trunk lid hinges, which was where mine was leaking from. somehow the water would find its way into the heater channels and it did appear to be leaking from a corner on each side. but it was below the windshield. you could possible check there. and one way to exactly where it's leaking is you get in the car, maybe get upside down and get your head under the dash with a flashlight, and have a friend spray water from a hose around the windshield and trunk area, and start looking for leaks

Fri Nov 14, 2008 1:12 pm

I have done that. I have also replaced the seals on the fresh air vents as well as cleaned out the drain tubes. I can see it form a puddle in each corner of the windshield and then flow over it and down into the defroster vents. Plan to pull the windshield out, but didnt know if there was a way to ensure that this doesnt happen again. The seal looks very good, and is very pliable. I would not want to buy a new one if there is nothing wrong with this one. Dont know if some sort of sealant around the window opening would help or hurt in this case.

Fri Nov 14, 2008 2:44 pm

68 fastback wrote: ...I can see it form a puddle in each corner of the windshield and then flow over it and down into the defroster vents. Plan to pull the windshield out, but didnt know if there was a way to ensure that this doesnt happen again. The seal looks very good, and is very pliable. I would not want to buy a new one if there is nothing wrong with this one. Dont know if some sort of sealant around the window opening would help or hurt in this case.

If you can see it puddle on the inside corners, then the seal isn't doing it's job. The water is coming in from the top, and working it's way between the glass and the seal (in the upper corners, or the sides), then running down into the corner forming a puddle. I'd get a new seal, as I don't know of any way to really seal that kind of leak. You could use some 3M window weld behind the seal, but I don't know if that would fix the problem. I only say that, because the water is working it's way around the edge of the glass between the inner seal, and the outer sealing lip.