10 replies to this topic

[39steps]

My recently purchased Mini Cooper is leaking like a sieve through the windscreen seal but just in the bottom corner on the passenger side. The water is getting in under the glass side of the seal (as oppose to the side that seals to the body shell). Is this a common problem? How can I fix it? Silicone? mastic? or do I just have to get a new seal fitted?

[dklawson]

I'm sure that a lot of people would tell you to simply replace the seal. This isn't hard to do if you want to take on the task yourself. However, you'll want a new seal, a new locking strip, and the special tool. You'll have to check sources like DSN and MiniSpares to see who can give you the best prices.

The other way to handle this is indeed with silicone. However, I wouldn't use just "any" silicone. Permatex (Loctite) and Dow both make grades of what they call "flowable silicone". This is a clear RTV that is much thinner than the ususal stuff you buy in tubes. It wicks its way into nooks and crannies. It also doesn't set like normal RTV but remains gummy. It is easily removed with a plastic scraper whereas regular RTV will bond to your paint and seal making future repairs/replacement difficult.

See:
http://www.dowcornin...07506&type=PROD
for Dow

and:
http://www.caswellpl...rmsealants.html
(3rd item down the page) for Permatex flowable sealant.

Obviously you'll need to source the stuff in the U.K. Caswell Europe supposedly carries Permatex. They have a web site at:
www.caswelleurope.co.uk

[Adrenaline Junkie]

Removing and refitting the windscreen is a doddle... had mine out to check for rust along the edges and repaint.

[Cookie Monster]

Had a similar problem. Just used standard bathroom clear mastic. Raised the lip of the seal where the glass fits in, pushed the mastic gun tube under about an inch up the side of the screen, then ran it down, along the bottom and about a inch up the other side pressed the rubber against the screen all along then with a wet finger, licking will do, run it along the seal/screen join to remove any excess. Seems to have worked.

[ian]

in the past ive used fish tank sealer, they use it to make tanks so if it can hold water in it should keep water out, you can get it from most pet shops

[Sprocket]

Only true fix is to replace the seal :cheese:

[39steps]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'm going to try the sealant repair route first but if that doesn't get me anywhere I go for the new seal. The flowable silicone sounds like good stuff so am trying to track down a UK supplier. Thanks again.

[goose the DJ]

Gday gang.

Our "Mags" has gotta leak too...thing is, we dont always get it..and it moves. its deffo front passenger side, and when shes parked level, the drip lands on the mid front angled part of the footwell.
I know the door seal is rubbish, but i cant believe a drip would travel that far when shes parked.

So i'm guessing its the screen thats leaking. It needs to come out so i can attend to the beginnings of rust around the corners on the front panel to the bonnet.
You say its not much of a job to remove...ok. I have a new rubber ready to go, and a new silver trim, is this whats called the "Locking strip"? I read somewhere that it can be done with something other than "The tool" to remove the screen...can anyone remind me what it looks like?

Is the back window the same craic as the front?

Many thanks gang.
Goose.

[jt89]

I work for a windscreen company,we never use silicone or anything similar to that, it eats into the rubber,We use black arbomast, it does the same as silicone but doesn't eat the rubber. It remains soft enough to remove at any time but seals it up a treat.

[goose the DJ]

Ok mate that sounds sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

Where can i lay my sweaty palms on some of this gunk? Screwfix?

[jt89]

Ok mate that sounds sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

Where can i lay my sweaty palms on some of this gunk? Screwfix?

Im not entirely sure where, ive never really looked, i usually get a tube from work, if youve got a local windscreen replacement depot near to you (autowindscreens to name one) they might be able to point you in right direction or just be bit cheeky and ask if they can sell you a tube but failing that i would have guessed b&q do it. Heres what you want...................

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...721168004r11739

Edited by jt89, 03 August 2009 - 06:11 PM.