Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:06:46 -0400
Reply-To: Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
Subject: Re: Water leak on the passenger side creating a pool of water in
footwell
In-Reply-To: <002001c9b9fc$369d1090$6701a8c0@antecpcdef>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes
Thanks Doug.
I had the window replaced last year the person who did was a company
safelite glass. The person came to my home and did during a slight
drizzle. I assume this is when the problem may have occurred.
I will try your suggestion. Thank you for your great advice.
Robert
NY
On Apr 10, 2009, at 12:48 PM, Doug Noganav wrote:
> sorry (long)
>
> Robert,
> To use the sealant properly you need to get your head around this
> "design
> flaw" which has plagued vws and many other cars for that matter for
> decades.
>
> Before the windshield glass and rubber gasket are installed the
> metal on the
> vanagon has a shape to it. To attack this problem you need to
> understand how
> the vanagon looks with the windshield and gasket out.
>
> If you had the windshield out and sprayed the van with water or it
> rained,
> you would see exactly where the water is pooling behind the gasket
> in the
> metal body.
> It along the bottom edge where the angle of the metal slopes upward
> for an
> inch or so behind the seal. This cups or pools the water there.
>
> When the windshield and gasket are installed the gasket is not
> making a
> perfect seal and anyplace along the top or sides so water can get
> between
> the gasket and body which will allow the water to run behind the
> gasket DOWN
> to the lowest spot. Generally this is the two outside lower corners
> of the
> windshield and the water will POOL there.
>
> If this area rusts and develops even a pin hole all the water will
> run to
> the floor inside. Because now there is a DRAIN for the pool.
>
> If the body has no holes the pool will hold a couple table spoons of
> water
> then overflow forcing the excess water out the bottom of the
> windshield
> gasket.
>
> If you can seal the EDGE of the rubber gasket to the body with a
> small bead
> of silicone you can keep the water out. If you take the windshield
> out and
> repair the body you can keep the water out.
>
> It seems to me that you would want to run a tiny bead along the
> entire edge
> of the top and sides to just seal the area the rubber edge meets the
> metal.
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Robert Stewart" <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, April 10, 2009 8:57 AM
> Subject: Re: Water leak on the passenger side creating a pool of
> water in
> footwell
>
>
>> Doug,
>>
>> Question..
>>
>> Should I be placing clear silicone sealant at the bottom under the
>> edge of the entire windshield channel?
>> Inside and outside?
>>
>> Should this be done to all the windows in the van if possible or is
>> this overkill?
>>
>> Should I be Petroleum Jelly, or spray way in their as well before the
>> silicone?
>>
>> Robert
>> NY
>>
>> On Apr 10, 2009, at 7:10 AM, Doug Noganav wrote:
>>
>>> The most common place in the front of the vanagon for a leak is the
>>> windshield channel at the bottom. Behind the gasket. The metal body
>>> there is
>>> cupped and will pool water even behind the gasket. The vanagon
>>> easily rusts
>>> there.
>>>
>>> Go here to view pics of a vanagon rust repair.
> www.benplace.com/alain87.htm
>>>
>>> You might be able to see the underside of this area with a flash
>>> light if
>>> you pull the glove box out. Not sure.
>>>
>>> Zoltan mentioned putting clear silicone behind the gasket. That
>>> could help.
>>>
>>> My feeling is the water is running in the top and down the sides and
>>> to the
>>> bottom of the windshield channel. All it takes is a pin hole rust
>>> spot to
>>> allow it to flow on down inside the van behind the dash and onto the
>>> floor,
>>> where it pools.
>>>
>>> Doug
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Robert Stewart" <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
>>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>>> Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 2:58 PM
>>> Subject: Water leak on the passenger side creating a pool of water
>>> in
>>> footwell
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hey Everyone,
>>>>
>>>> I just noticed that I have a Water leak on the passenger side
>>>> creating
>>>> a pool of water in the footwell!
>>>>
>>>> Anyone ever heard of this before?
>>>>
>>>> I checked the door seals nothing was wet there. I see no visible
>>>> water
>>>> flowing in the van.
>>>>
>>>> Could it be coming in from the front where radiator or passenger
>>>> side
>>>> lights are? Then maybe it flows in from there?
>>>>
>>>> I had my windshield replaced last year with a new window seam and
>>>> it
>>>> looks fine.
>>>>
>>>> I am stumped.
>>>>
>>>> Was thinking of taking a friend with me to car wash, using the
>>>> power
>>>> washer on that side while someone is in the car to see where it is
>>>> leaking in from.
>>>>
>>>> TIA
>>>>
>>>> Robert
>>>> NY
>>>
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