Leaking Kombi Windows? How-to guide to resolve.
- Thread starter DaveyB
- Start date
Am I right in thinking that it’s the seal around the slider is what lets the water in? Why can they make a thicker rubber? Problem solved
Or a cable tie in the channel where the rubber sits to make the rubber site 1-2 mm further out and sit tighter against the glass
Or a cable tie in the channel where the rubber sits to make the rubber site 1-2 mm further out and sit tighter against the glass
My drivers side sliding window is leaking badly and i have discovered lots and rust under the seal. I have the All In Plan so thought no problem. VW have just declined a replacement as apparently glazing units & water ingress aren’t covered by the policy. I have asked for a good will contribution but doubt I will get anywhere.
I have purchased some second hand OEM windows to do exactly this when the time comes.
From what I have read, aftermarket windows have a slightly different black border so when fitted to a ‘factory’ aperture you can see small amounts of metal work from outside.
Mine is a startline ‘window’ van so has rear factory glass, so I also need to match the tint level, hence I bought 2nd hand. If I just had the middle windows I’d happily replace with aftermarket glass and put up with the exposed tin work.
You’d have thought the pricing would be the other way around
Very cheap fix ……didn’t want at this time to buy aftermarket windows and wanted quick fix after water getting in to van …so wife suggested seal them with waterproof sealant.. ( used in her marine trade business) so a temp/ perm fix
We have never opened them ….so works
We have never opened them ….so works
I had one of my sliding windows swapped out for an OEM fixed panel yesterday by Brandon at AJC Conversions in Glossop who did a fantastic job. Below are a few pictures of the cause of the leak so I would also recommend checking behind the seals as well as clearing the drainage channels.
There is no wonder it leaked but it’s also not covered under warranty.
There is no wonder it leaked but it’s also not covered under warranty.
Im looking to do the same, any reason you went OEM flixed glass rather than aftermarket? just thinking the aftermarket fixed glass might be cheaper?
That is dire - VW need to take some responsibility on this (and many other things)!
@david173 I decided on OEM to ensure the same tint and match. I also read that aftermarket has a slightly different black border radius at the corners. I thought the additional cost in the overall scheme of things was worth it but if I were replacing both sides I would probably have gone aftermarket.
Thanks good reasons there! finished result looks perfect
kohnny boy
New Member
me again,factory windows removed and new factory fitted inserted by main dealer still leaking!think its because im parked on an incline but dont know what my next move is surely its a design fault ,anyone had any joy getting the main dealer to put in none oem windows in?
Great write up, thank you.
Has anyone tried opening up the drain holes to allow better flow.
Started my own thread on this as my driver's side slider is leaking, a combination of the the water catch being detached and water getting in past the seals.
www.t6forum.com
But thought I may as well add to the knowledge here
Whipped out the window (thanks to the guide in the OP) and removed the seal to find rust on the top section of the sliding unit.
Seems this is a common place for it to rust!
My passenger side isn't leaking but I'll probably need to check this for the rust too.
I gave the seal a good coating of silicone grease, wiped off the excess and it looks like it's now sealing as no water is getting in to the channel, so that's one thing. Just the water catch to re seal.
Edit: took out the passenger window too and this has started to go. Not as bad as the drivers side though.
There's blatantly some sort of design flaw here, but I doubt VW will admit that. However, I don't think the rust in the seal channel is the cause of the leak, as my passenger one has never leaked as far as I can see. Gave the seal a coat of silicone grease and worked a feeler guage into the drain slots anyway.
Sliding door leak inside door panel
I've got water coming in from somewhere in my driver's side sliding door, which is running down and ending up sitting on the seal around the door step, like this: Which looked like this when I removed the door card, side step and seal: Now, I do have sliding windows, and the little catch...
But thought I may as well add to the knowledge here
Whipped out the window (thanks to the guide in the OP) and removed the seal to find rust on the top section of the sliding unit.
Seems this is a common place for it to rust!
My passenger side isn't leaking but I'll probably need to check this for the rust too.
I gave the seal a good coating of silicone grease, wiped off the excess and it looks like it's now sealing as no water is getting in to the channel, so that's one thing. Just the water catch to re seal.
Edit: took out the passenger window too and this has started to go. Not as bad as the drivers side though.
There's blatantly some sort of design flaw here, but I doubt VW will admit that. However, I don't think the rust in the seal channel is the cause of the leak, as my passenger one has never leaked as far as I can see. Gave the seal a coat of silicone grease and worked a feeler guage into the drain slots anyway.
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Offside rear window has been leaking for a while and on reading tis thread I have today clearing the drain holes using a feeler gauge. Both the offside drains were blocked although the front was 100% blocked and the rear maybe 50%, the nearside drains were open but better now I've put the feeler gauge in them too.
Hoping this will cure me leak on the offside window.
All in all though, I think they are a pretty poor VW design, IMO VW should offer a solution!
Shame there's not a like for like better rear window and opening available, (it'd be great it there was a double glazed unit that would just match the existing windows).
Hoping this will cure me leak on the offside window.
All in all though, I think they are a pretty poor VW design, IMO VW should offer a solution!
Shame there's not a like for like better rear window and opening available, (it'd be great it there was a double glazed unit that would just match the existing windows).
The replacement non OEM windows are no good for me either as with a caravelle the slider rails fit closely into the interior door trims so I'd need to change them too.
It's obvious that VW know the design is shite (ignoring the rust in the upper sliding section, that's a while other issue!) as they've 'designed' 2 ways of water to escape when it gets past the seals. It's just that those 2 ways are crap!!
So the first line of defense in the ongoing war against water, is to make sure your seals are clean and well lubricated with silicone grease or similar.
If the seals fail, then it's the job of the 2 narrow drain slots to get rid of the water.
If they fail then the final line of defense is the round drain holes and underlying flimsy plastic held on with soft sealant, that eventually fails if you happen to look at it wrong!!
I'm now on stage 3, my front round drain was blocked meaning water over the door card when the first 2 lines of defense were broken, but recently that drain has become unblocked and detached which means a waterfall inside the door card.
I've got some sikaflex coming tomorrow and will try to seal it back up whilst also leaving it not quite pushed against the drain hole, or else water doesn't drain from it!!
I've confirmed that it "works" by squirting water inside it from the bottom to make sure it's exiting from beneath the window, which is is. So I just need to seal it up properly.
It's obvious that VW know the design is shite (ignoring the rust in the upper sliding section, that's a while other issue!) as they've 'designed' 2 ways of water to escape when it gets past the seals. It's just that those 2 ways are crap!!
So the first line of defense in the ongoing war against water, is to make sure your seals are clean and well lubricated with silicone grease or similar.
If the seals fail, then it's the job of the 2 narrow drain slots to get rid of the water.
If they fail then the final line of defense is the round drain holes and underlying flimsy plastic held on with soft sealant, that eventually fails if you happen to look at it wrong!!
I'm now on stage 3, my front round drain was blocked meaning water over the door card when the first 2 lines of defense were broken, but recently that drain has become unblocked and detached which means a waterfall inside the door card.
I've got some sikaflex coming tomorrow and will try to seal it back up whilst also leaving it not quite pushed against the drain hole, or else water doesn't drain from it!!
I've confirmed that it "works" by squirting water inside it from the bottom to make sure it's exiting from beneath the window, which is is. So I just need to seal it up properly.
