Windscreen leaks, have researched, but require 1 answer.

[kreecha]

Hi guys,
My 97 disco windscreen leaks above the passenger. I am sure it is the seal. I have put a lot of sealant in there, and slowed the leak, but it has continued.

In order to investigate this further though I want to remove the plastic strips running horizontally up the side of the windscreen, can this be done without damaging them?

Cheers in adavance,
Adam.

[Spel1]

If you are talking about the plastic strips on the inside, yes they come off easily enough. Have taken mine off a few times to run wiring up to the top centre console (CB antenna, mic extension, power etc). With the seals from outside, just sealing up the outer trim seals is not enough, the previous owner of mine had seriously gunked them up, but the real seal is under them right at the glass, its there you need to look. Mine leaked a bit till I had a break bad enough to claim a new one on insurance, since the new windscreen has been in there have been no leaks, and the outer trim seals are not stuck to the body.

[kreecha]

Thanks for that info.

I did mean the outside strips.

I will rip them off and have a look. I guess they are replaced with double sided tape?

Thanks once again,
Adam.

[micko]

Adam does it leak when stationary or only when driving?

I had a leak with mine that I just couldn't fix until I noticed it leaking while cleaning the windscreen after driving through a swarm of bees.

Then the penny dropped that the leak was between the seal and the glass not the body and the seal. A quick bead of silicon soon sorted it.

[SLOWBOAT]

The outer rubber trims (which are just a cover) fit around the outer edge of the glass and can be removed, BUT, they can be very difficult to reinstall as they bend and bow on removal. They should be replaced when you reseal the windscreen but are very expensive.
Before you do this, check where the guard, firewall and pillar all join under the plastic wiper arm cover tray as sometimes it leaks there and can be mistaken for the windscreen seal.
Good luck with the leak.

[kreecha]

Adam does it leak when stationary or only when driving?

I had a leak with mine that I just couldn't fix until I noticed it leaking while cleaning the windscreen after driving through a swarm of bees.

Then the penny dropped that the leak was between the seal and the glass not the body and the seal. A quick bead of silicon soon sorted it.

G'day Micko,
Thanks for that.

The windscreen only leaks when driving.

Where did you put the silicone?
I have laid a bead of sikaflex automotive glass sealer between the glass, seal, and body along the top of the windscreen the whole width of the car, and then over that used Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure.

Cheers, Adam.

[kreecha]

The outer rubber trims (which are just a cover) fit around the outer edge of the glass and can be removed, BUT, they can be very difficult to reinstall as they bend and bow on removal. They should be replaced when you reseal the windscreen but are very expensive.
Before you do this, check where the guard, firewall and pillar all join under the plastic wiper arm cover tray as sometimes it leaks there and can be mistaken for the windscreen seal.
Good luck with the leak.

Hi Slowboat,
Thanks for your time.

I might have to check the guard, firewall, and pillar join, as there is also a leak down on the passenger floor.

Could that leak be mistaken for a windscreen leak above the roof line? Surely not.

cheers, Adam.

[kreecha]

Slowboat,
I thought I would have a look at the gaurd, firewall, and pillar join.

Apparently the bonnet has to come off.

I didn't have a look at the join.

Maybe another day... Dealing with the wet passenger footwell for a while longer. Now just to figure out the roof windscreen leak.

Cheers, Adam.

[micko]

I just ran a bead around the whole windscreen and smoothed it out with a wet finger from the glass onto the seal.

I bet your footwell leak is from a blocked air con drain. There's two underneath, pull the plugs and have a poke around with a skewer.

[kreecha]

G'day Micko,
Is your car a pre or post 94 Disco?
And if it is a post 94, did you just remove all of the 'dress' strips then lay the silicone? I am concidering doing this. Did you replace them?

Cheers, Adam.

[Grahame Roberts]

When I had to get my 97 screen replaced, I hunted around for a windscreen installer and found one who laboriously removes the old rubbers etc., and fits them back on. He pressure tests the job and makes sure there are no leaks. Saves hundreds on new rubber costs.

Let your fingers do the walking.

Also if you are copping water ingress go to a windscreen place. For a few dollars it is peace of mind.

[98discovery]

Can you tell us who the installer was???
Sounds like they deserve a plug pardon the pun.

[p38arover]

Are you sure that's where it's leaking?

Have you read the Disco leak manual http://www.aulro.com/afvb/local_links.php?action=jump&catid=7&id=139 ?

See also

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-1/139500-ideas-before-i-rip-interior-apart.html#post1581773

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-1/49472-holy-crap-what-3.html#post678271