Rear Windows with plastic vents

[Franklinstower]

Ok, so I got my windows back from tinting and I am about to put new seals on the rear vented windows. I found the vents had a dab of silicone on the top and bottom and as I recall, there was about an inch on the glass too at the seams. I am wondering if the silicone was for sealing or to hold the vent rubber seals in place?

Can anyone provide insight? a dab of new silicone, or go ala-natural sans silicone?

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'89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt

[puchfinnland]

Showing that white vehicle in background is considered Car Porn.
be careful what you post here!
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ABYC marine master technician , EX European auto technician, new business- EASTCOASTWEST , custom work on campers, only systems, no mechanical

[Franklinstower]

I thought I would add to this too. Foam was crumbled or non existent. I found a shop Vac cover in my garage... Why not? Looks the same, right length when cut open.
I just fished it through with some picture wire and used a popsicle stick to help push. I found starting in the middle was easiest and work to the ends. 1 grateful dead song later, they were both done!

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'89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt

[bobbyblack]

It looks just the same as the inside crumbs.. here are a few pics

Clearly, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. You can see that the rubber flap strikes the outside casing. It needs unrestricted articulation. So, the filter needs to not be inserted under the retainer the full length, as you can see it would cause restrictions if so. Also, to create a full coverage there will need to be a few layers, I'll probably find some adhesive and make a pocket in a few layers to go around the retainer on both sides to grab it.
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','83.5 Vanagon L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[kamzcab86]

[bobbyblack]

Kamz,

Ya, followed all the links I could find this time around as well, and it seems that the full length slots on the inside are the ones being addressed by the threads.

What I am seeing, way inside the box, are several crimp like sections where there is a tiny bit of spongy stuff, I believe its the leftover bit of stuff that had originally been in the outside of the vent box.

Again, I have never seen a new-ish or well kept vent box, so I may be wrong. It just seems as if there could be a bit of stuff tucked in those pinch spots on the side with only 1/2 the length having the vent holes. The rubber flopper would then be up and behind this (?imaginary?) filter.

Anyway, I have not found any threads dealing with how to keep bugs out of the outside portion. Thought I would toss it into the mix.

Later, I will get some pic's and post, if I can get my camera to focus on the pinch locations I am mentioning. (I installed one side so far, but still have the DS glass/vent to install on Flossie)

-bobby
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','83.5 Vanagon L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[kamzcab86]

[bobbyblack]

Nobody seems to be addressing the outside portion of this vent box. I can tell that mine used to have some kind of foam tucked in too, but I have not seen any new enough to still have it to look at. Ideas?
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','83.5 Vanagon L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[Luckyphil]

Here is a link to the procedure I used to replace the foam in the rear vent windows.
http://forums.kombiclub.com/threads/how-to-replace...ost-533193

[clift_d]

[dschaftlein]

Eureka Reading this thread made me realize where the mosquitos might be sneaking in! Is it possible to replace the foam without pulling the glass?

[Commocean]

Is it possible to get the plastic bit of trim that goes between the vent and glass. Has anyone had any success finding one of these?

[Skullbag]

Well, leaked again. While out driving. Wonder if the wind is pushing more water under the seal, or there’s body flex that allows more in? No shortage on hills etc in Seattle. I have someone coming to do my windshield on my Jetta and may have him look at it or pop it out and place some glaze in the seal.

[Skullbag]

This thread still alive? I had the drivers rear vented window seal done at a van specific shop here in Seattle. I had them do it cause it rains here all the time and it was leaking and migrating down behind the table panel (weekender) and there was already some rust. I didn’t have time to try to deal with it myself.... they did the seal and it’s still leaking. It pools on the top of the bottom seal. I can’t locate where from. Not condensation cause it’s only this window. The shop could never replicate the leak prior to replacement. They did not do anything with the seal btw the vent and the glass. I added some silicone to the top and bottom inside and outside of where vent meets glass the other day and still had some leaking... so last night I laid a trail of talcum powder along the bottom seal to see if I could find the spot. It didn’t leak!!! And it rained all night!!! I then sat there with the hose on the window for a while and no leak... wtf... anyone have issues with the seal btw vent and glass? I planned to bring it back to the shop today, but no leak and didn’t want waste time.. my last thought is to do that bedding glaze and new sealant along vent and glass.. if it leaks again..

[VeeDubDaySpa]

David,

No problemo man! I still have not pulled mine. I have installed other windows on the van with varied success using tools like you mention but earlier in this thread brought up the added difficulty because of this extra vent piece...

Rear custom sliders?! Sounds nice Dave, you'll have to post up some photos once installed- if you remember, let me know how the install goes.

Thanks and good luck!
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Hot Water Systems

North American Hightop Installer/Distributor
Current stock (1)
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90 Syncro NAHT Vanagon
86 "Syncro" Van
87 Syncro tin top

[David Marquis]

Hello KevbOliver,

I apologize for the delayed response, and no, I have not installed them as of yet, I was working on custom rear sliding windows, finished now but not yet installed. I would suggest searching here, and throughout the web. When I installed windows awhile back i used a spray bottle with soapy water inside, a wooden dowel that fits into the hand like a handle, with a plastic cloths line cord strung through the center.
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1989 Westfalia Vanogan GL, 2.1

[VeeDubDaySpa]

David,
Did you get them reinstalled yet? I'm hoping for window install tips as I seem to have bad luck with window seals.......
Nice fix!
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Hot Water Systems

North American Hightop Installer/Distributor
Current stock (1)
_______________________________________
90 Syncro NAHT Vanagon
86 "Syncro" Van
87 Syncro tin top

[David Marquis]

Thanks man.. Most of my thinking tends to be that way... This has not always worked in my favor...
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1989 Westfalia Vanogan GL, 2.1

[TequilaSunSet]

Love out of the box thinking...
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"Krusty" Satin White - 85 AUTO w/ 3.27 R&P Vanagon HIGH Top w/ Westy Camper bits, 1.8t
2014 Lancer AWC
2007 Tango (Home) Living small

Don't harsh my mellow...

[David Marquis]

My solution to this disintegrating filter issue was to take some stainless steel mesh lint traps that are used for the water outlets of washing machines.

I used two of these lint traps per vent,( As there is one vent on the drivers side and one vent on the passenger side.) I laid one lint trap mesh flat, and folded it over itself lengthwise, in half. I then did this with another one and sewed the two folded mesh lint traps end to end so as to have a long strip that actually ends up being 4 layers of mesh in thickness.

I then took a sharp picking device, similar to a dental tool, and heated it up with flame. I used this tool to make holes in the ends of the plastic vent so as to have points in which to sew/attach this lint trap mesh strip to each end of the plastic vent.

The strip of wire lint trap mesh is inter-weaved and pulled through the slotted space where the old, and now disintegrated, foam filter used to be.

I used what is referred to as an upholstery needle to sew/attach a plastic coated steel wire to the mesh and to the holes made in each end of the plastic vents. I ensured that the wire mesh lint trap strip was tight from end to end. It is kept in place, despite the fact that it is only being held to the plastic vent on each opposing end, because inside the vent there is a specific channel that the wire mesh slides inside of and rests within.

This is my preferred solution as these things are not easy to access, particularly in the cabinet side. The wire mesh is essentially rust free, and it will not disintegrate as a foam piece might tend to do so, thus eliminating the need to ever replace this filter again.

It should be noted that all of the below images can be enlarged 2x by clicking on them so as to show more detail.

After cleaning the vent, from grime and its original filter I ended up with this:

Here are the items I used:

Plastic coated metal wire, used for beading, and jewelry making, and found at Michaels craft store.

Upholstery needle

Stainless steel Wire mesh lint traps folded in half lengthwise.

[/img]

Here I am making the holes in the plastic vent:

Here is an image of me Pulling the two folded over, sewed end to end, wire mesh lint traps through the foam channel after having sewn/attached the opposing end of this wire mesh strip to the plastic vent. once again, I sewed/attached this wire mesh strip using the plastic coated wire and the holes that I had made with the heated picking tool.

Here I am sewing the stainless steel wire mesh to the plastic vent using the curved upholstery needle and plastic coated steel thread.

Here is the Finished version:

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1989 Westfalia Vanogan GL, 2.1