Water leak under the dash

ragnarhairybreeks · Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 3:57 pm Post subject:

i had success, hiding my head in the sand about the problem, with the thinned silicone caulk sold as windshield sealer. It is much thinner than regular silicone caulk and seeps under the rubber a bit. A little goes a long way.

alistair
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PDX_Guy · Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 3:35 pm Post subject:

Follwo-up:

I used an old giftcard and some silicone to seal up the windshield and it seems to be holding. I will likely replace the seal and deal with any rust once the good weather has gone and the overwhelming desire to get away has subsided. Thanks for all the advice
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1986 Westfalia Syncro

alnvilma · Samba Member Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 395

Follow-up:
After reading about so many windshields leaking, I used a putty knife to lift the NEW seal away from the body at all four corners and shoot common window sealer in the gap. I extended this bead about 6-8" in each direction and it cured the leaks on my floor, finally.
Hard to believe that a new German seal on a rust free body wasn't enough. For what it's worth.....

alnvilma · Samba Member Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 395

Funny this post should come up now;
I've had this problem for a while too. I replaced the windshield and used used a new german seal (w/o trim) and there is no rust. Thought it cured it but, no. Passenger side quit leaking for a couple weeks but driver's side flooded. Sealled all the antenna, wiper & washers with beads of marine/window sealer to no avail. It does apparently come through that crack in the welded air duct. Pulled the grill and looked behind the glove box with a light: dry as a bone. I am officially stumped and resorted to using 'Sham-Wows' to absorb the flows! Rolling Eyes

VanWilder · Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 7:42 pm Post subject:

I had the same problem and it was the window seal not having sealant on both rubber to glass and rubber on metal. I had mine resealed and it was fixed.

Have a look at this thread, lots of good help and photos.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=388168&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
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blakeck2 · Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 12:37 pm Post subject:

Camp&Ride · Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 12:19 pm Post subject:

For about $50, you can get a glass installer to put it in for you. If they break your windshield, usually they'll replace it. Worth the money?
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PDX_Guy · Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 12:41 pm Post subject:

OK. I bought a new seal and the winshield installation tool from van cafe but the bentley manual doesnt have any instructions on it. I was hoping the Bentley manual would have said something or the windshield installation tool would have come with instructions. Can anyone give me instructions on how an idiots replaces a windshield?
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1986 Westfalia Syncro

reivertribe · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 11:54 pm Post subject:

I had both lower corners of the windshield leak on my van. Plus when I removed my broken original antenna, I found that the metal there was deformed and created a nice little channel for water to just slip on inside.
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1985 Vanagon GL 1.9L "the Colonel"

Jon_slider · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 8:34 pm Post subject:

> Replaced the antenna since it was broken and it didn't leak anymore.

x3

I had already done the windshield, the leak was only on the driver side

madspaniard · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 4:30 pm Post subject:

in my case, it was the antenna too but it was only leaking on the driver's side
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K58 · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 4:24 pm Post subject:

GMByers · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 11:34 am Post subject:

Since you say the water dripping down in the corners I doubt it is your antenna.

My vote is to replace your windshield seal.
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kshbaja · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 9:01 am Post subject:

You won't know until you pop the windshield. It is possible for water to get to the floor boards without a rusted-through hole in the sill. The small voids inside the old seal fill up with water and it drops down through the gap between the two pieces of metal that are spot welded together.

With that said, chances are you will have some rust. I recently had this same issue and I ended up having rust, but it was what I would call moderately pitted. There were no holes. Before I pulled the windshield there was no visible rust or bubbling at the seal. Clean it up thoroughly, fill with some fiberglass filler and repaint. Use a new seal.

You may also want to take a close look at your other windows for signs of developing rust/leaks. If you are going to have someone install the glass for you, you will likely get a break on the cost to do them all at once. In retrospect, window seal replacement is one of those things I wish I did on day 1. If the rust gets out of hand in these areas it can be very difficult to address.
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1986 Westfalia

SWbySWesty · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 8:49 am Post subject:

x2 on the antenna seal. That was my issue. I put silicone on any holes in my windshield rubber and still had water. Replaced the antenna since it was broken and it didn't leak anymore.
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GBA 88West LA · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 6:47 am Post subject:

also while your there the antenna sometimes lets h20 in
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climberjohn · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 6:04 am Post subject:

Here's a recent thread that may help you:

Windshield replacement options
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=451423

Quick fix: As suggested by Tencentlife, smear in some RTV.

Long term fix: remove windshield, repair rust as needed, replace with new seal. (I still need to do this . . .)

-CJ
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'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
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stclair411 · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 4:37 am Post subject:

I have the same issue, and yes it is worse when I am driving in rain. I have some obvious rust spots around the windshield, both lower corners. My van is not over run with rust, but does have a few spots. Right now, I have all new window rubber in my "pile" of parts. I'm working on getting cash together, and then plan to take it to TransporterWerks in NC to get a repair. If I were you, I'd pull the windshield, and if there is a bit of rust, get it repaired. Try to control it now, before it gets much worse.
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1987 Syncro Westy "June"

Honuak · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:46 pm Post subject: Looks are decieving

Mine looked fine too...the seal seemed ok and there was no visiable rust. If yours is the same its even more reason to take care of it now before you can see the rust. The seal must shrink slightly over time allowing water to get through. Your much better off fixing it sooner rather than later.

syncrodoka · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:18 pm Post subject:


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