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Water leak under the dash
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PDX_Guy
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 9:39 pm    Post subject: Water leak under the dash Reply with quote

Greetings everyone,

I recently bought a 86 syncro. It is my first vw and I have been loving it. There are a few issues I have been working on but in general it has been great. Today I noticed water dripping down at the corners from under the dash. I haven't gotten the Bentley manual yet but i suspect it might be coming in from the dash and/or headlights. Is this an issue others have dealt with? Any advice is greatly appreciated
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insyncro
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 9:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Check the upper corners of the windshield rubber seal for gaps.
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Honuak
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 12:00 am    Post subject: Common Problem Reply with quote

Me thinks your van suffers from the common windshield leak. Im betting it is leaking at both lower corners like mine was. As far as I know the culprit is old windshield seal. There are a few threads here that discuss the problem...
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r.e.wing_fc3s
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 9:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

also check the windshield washer seal. thats were mine was leaking. a little bit of der reinzosil anthracite
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syncrodoka
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 9:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

rust
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Corwyn Premium Member
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 9:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

syncrodoka wrote:
rust


That's just mean! Boo hoo!
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ZimZam
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 9:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Like other members have suggested it's rust. You'll need to remove the WS, and replace the seal.
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Honuak
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 7:40 pm    Post subject: May not be that bad... Reply with quote

Depending on how long its been leaking the R#@* may not be that bad. Mine had just the smallest start of the R word starting right at the corners. When you get the seal off you will see that theres a spot where the sheet metal comes together forming a fat spot of metal, I think that along with an old seal is what causes the leak. A leak is bad enough but it happens to be right above the fuse panel...
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K58
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Also, if your windshield is missing the chrome trim that could be the reason.
I found out the hard way
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PDX_Guy
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks everyone. I checked the seal and the outer rubber of the seal looks good but the hard plastic middle peice has a bunch of tiny cracks. Are those enough to make it leak? It only seems to leak if I am driving but not if it is parked outside. The van does have a few rust issues, but around the windshield looks good so hopefully this will not be another area. And yeah Honuak, it seems to be leaking in by the fuse panel.

86 Westy Syncro
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syncrodoka
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
the hard plastic middle peice has a bunch of tiny cracks.

That is just cosmetic, the slot that it sits in is blind an it wouldn't cause a leak.
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Honuak
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:46 pm    Post subject: Looks are decieving Reply with quote

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.
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stclair411
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 4:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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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climberjohn
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 6:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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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GBA 88West LA
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 6:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

also while your there the antenna sometimes lets h20 in
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SWbySWesty
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 8:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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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kshbaja
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 9:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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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GMByers
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 11:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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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K58
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 4:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

GMByers wrote:
Since you say the water dripping down in the corners I doubt it is your antenna.
My vote is to replace your windshield seal.


It could be the antenna or even the windshield washers if there not seated properly.
When I got my Van the antenna and washers were loose and were letting in water. It all collects in the same place on the floor so it's hard to tell where it's coming from.
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madspaniard
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 4:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

in my case, it was the antenna too but it was only leaking on the driver's side
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