aaronazevedo

Looking for some help here regarding the widshield exterior gasket. I'm talking about the trip peice that presses in place, presses into the plastic channel that runs the perimeter of the windshield.

I had my windshield replaced a few years ago and it wasn't done correclty. The goons cut my my antenna wire and didn't center the windshield. I had the guys come back out to the house to do it again. This time they did a better job, but only after they left, did I notice that it was not perfectly centered left/right or up/down. That said, the exterior gasket does not line up correctly, and therefore does not seal correctly around the perimeter of the windshield.

This winter was my time to fix it. I bought the new gasket and went to replace it.....only to find that the reason it wasn't sealing was that the windshield iteslf was not centered.

Question is this, do I dare have the windshield pulled off again? Do I call the monkeys back that did it before? or do I suck it up and pay the Porsche Stealer? Will Porsche actually do a better job? Does it matter?

I thought I would replace the gasket as I didn't want any water to get in there and sit.....and start any corrosion. The car is only driven in good weather anyway. So much can go wrong with these windshield installs as the antenna wire is tough to deal with as well.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

Thanks, Aaron

aaronazevedo

22 views and no help? Please???

ZombiePorsche44

I haven't done this work yet but I need to due to a leak in the lower left corner....I'm keeping an eye this thread to see what others say besides "search".

ZP44

Wilder

Last month my windshield started leaking. After researching here and talking to a couple of specialty body shops it turns out that it's the windshield. Specifically, it seems the PO had a new windshield installed and it was seemingly also performed by someone who had no clue what they were doing. Bottom line is that there are two ways of fixing it:

A) R&I the windshield which pretty much means replacing the windshield as everybody I've talked to has explained that there is a 99% chance that the windshield will crack upon removal.

B) Add sealant without removing the windshield under the gasket in the area were water is coming in and hope it works.

I realize this is not the same problem you have but I hope it helps you anyway. I don't think you have to take it to the stealer but you should definitely talk to p-car indies and specialty body shops and find a guy who has experience installing windshields on these cars. BTW, I was quoted C$1700 (about $1,400) to replace the windshield.

Wilder

Mine is lower left too. Can you see where the water is coming from?

rconnon

i have the same issue - lower left curling of exterior seal, whistling at high speeds and Water drips down near driver side heating vent.. I have only really experienced it after a real good wash.. i left it in the rain over night against my will and didn't really see any water but none the less it needs to be fixed.

Butzi

I just found out my "new-to-me" C4S had a lousy install of the windshield. It leaked on both lower corners during our past weekends rains. I am going to attempt option "B" (add some goop) before option "A". I first tried Option "C" which was not mentioned: Pull over at the nearest Strabucks, grab a stack of napkins, and stuff them in the corners to absorb the deluge. Luckily, my wife was riding shotgun, and could change out the passenger side every ten minutes as we cruised home...

It is my understanding that most Porsche dealerships sub-out windshield replacements. If you can, call your stealership or indie, and get the name of the people they use, may save you a couple points on the cost. It is true that the windshield will most likely have to be replaced if you go the remove & reinstall route, this goes the same for most vehicles. I am going to call a local windshield installer and see if they will goop it up for me first.

g_murray

Hi fellas,
Yep, do a search, you'll find my recent 'tales of woe' regarding my windshield.
Similar to yours, mine was 'done' by a bunch of goons. It was installed 'skewed' in the frame with the net result that it leaked like a sieve (when I'd wash the car), 'whistled' when I'd drive fast, and the *brand new gasket* that *I* bought (PelicanParts)? ...they also damaged that. The radio reception was screwy from that point onwards too. The gasket - by the VIN - would 'curl in' exposing the actual window frame.
Last December I bought a tube of 3M sealant with the (gallant/foolhardy?) goal of sealing the window somewhat. I even contemplated 'Rube Goldberging' the curly-gasket problem by stuffing bits of vacuum hose in the channel.
Then I left the car in for its 30K-mile service and, as part of my 'wishlist', I asked could they remove+reinstall the windshield *properly*. I was assured by both the expert mech. AND his 'glass-guy' that 9 times out of 10 - they crack 'on the way out'.
I took a deep breath - and said 'do your best' - but if it DOES crack - then, yes, please install --- ***properly this time*** -- a whole new front windshield.
It cracked.
This would be my second (new) front windshield in 6 months. The first one cost me $800 and this second one cost me $1,100 -- however -- the second one was put in expertly and I am a VERY quality-conscious individual.
You are at a fork in the road... and... if I can remember my poetry (R. Frost) from when I was in boarding school in Ireland back in the 70's...

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."

Gerry

aaronazevedo

Gerry -

Thanks so much! I did a search but must have searched the wrong terms. Is your car Iris Blue Metallic?

Anyway, thanks for the warning. I've heard that the windscreen in our cars is actually a load bearing panel, so I bet you're right that 90% crack.

I have 100% glass coverage, so I haven't spent a dime yet. The less than honerable part of me says a nail punch and a hammer might make a hole similar to a stone chip. Oh, was that out loud? and get insurance to pay for another windscreen. in MA, they allow the owner to pick the repair shop.......I'll most certainly pick Porsche next time, not some 'glass Dr.'.

I appreciate the experiences. Hey, at least mine doesn't leak, right?

smddanny

I am also in the midst of doing this. When I purchased my 993 T there was a small rust spot on the wiper cowling at the lower drivers corner. I knew the windshield would have to come out. I could see that the glass was not centered and the glass looked new.

I put my car into a body shop for dealing with this problem and the owner of the shop is meticulous. He removed the glass without a problem and you can see that the windshield gasket has had 2 applications of adhesive. A no-no. There is an eleven page tech procedure from the factory for replacing this glass. The rubber "trim" that you see from the outside is the same one that gets the adhesive applied to it. If this rubber is not right it needs to removed and replaced... no two ways about it.

CAUTION! If the area that the windshiield adheres to is scratched during removal or prep it must be repainted. The factory procedure says this and if you think about it the water will sit there in this pocket and form a rust spot that will eventually grow out to a place that is visible. Be sure to police this area and prime before re-installation, else you will end up with more work later on.

Don't know how anyone in a mobile facility can get this right... I have never seen them paint anything but adhesives and adhesive promoters.

aaronazevedo

I didn't realize that the exterior trip gasket was supposed to have any adhesive on it at all.

My old one didn't have any on it, and the one that I pulled off did not either.

Others?

Wilder

It's not supposed to have adhesive but bad installers will use it as they would in any other car. This is what they did in mine.

john95-993

First post, have been hovering for awhile. I recently had my windshield replaced and had similar results. After getting the car home, I noticed that the gasket did not completely cover the gap between the A-pillar and glass. I took the car back to the installer and they proceeded to place blame on the tolerances of the glass and Porsche for the gasket being too small. After we discussed the install, we agreed that the window was not positioned correctly in the window frame. They told me that Porsche made a thicker window gasket. They installed the thicker gasket and everything seems OK. no leaking so far, but will continue to watch.

Aussie Alan 993

After a number of rear screen replacements and a front one too, I say get someone who has done lots of Porsche screens, perhaps speak to a body repair shop who know Porsche cars and can recommend a good screen installer they use.

Porsche replaced two rear screens, subcontracted both times. First time they did not centre it properly and it looked like crap. It shattered at a later date and was replaced under warranty. This time I insisted on watching them do it and made sure they had the gap even all the way round. It was perfect and still is.

The front was done by a specialist who was recommended by a Porsche factory authorised repairer. They were great and did a perfect job first up, I would use them again if I ever need to.

One last thing, make sure who ever removes the screen does not scratch the paint with their sharp tools, that is a sure way to get the dreaded window rust.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Wilder

Best advice.