Leaking Kombi Windows? How-to guide to resolve.

[mopardave]

Thanks @DaveyB ........I'm still fuming. Not sure how to proceed with this....I'm pretty sure I DON'T want the whole panel doing. I suppose I'll have to accept some kind of smart repair. I don't want to see it again until its done.....I've already had 3 wasted return journeys to York! Maybe I should've lived with the leak? Honestly, I had a feeling something would happen.....and the spooky thing is, I was convinced they would do THAT kind of damage....probably whilst removing the window! I know a great paint guy but if I take it away from them, it'll drag on forever and it'll be even more aggravating than it already is! I'm still trying to get my head around the service girls attitude.....I was (almost) speechless!

 

[RAD]

Gutted for you.

I had to have a new window and I know it was fitted by an I dependant window fitter. I didn’t give them a chance to wash it, picked it up at the earliest time I could.

 

[Tourershine]

What a palava! No wonder you are less than chuffed.

As for the wash, I have to insist over and over again, even to the point I get them to attach a yellow post-it note to the job sheet that says in big letters NO WASH.
I know these places have vehicles in and out constantly, and possibly only 1% of their customers will ask for the vehicle not to be washed, because pretty much only 1% of owners are aware of the potential damage caused by this process (specially to Blackberry, or any darker colour) but seriously! They listen to your instructions when it's having something done that will earn them money, so why not listen to the rest.
I thank god my VW dealer in Leicester is very good.

I hope you get things sorted.

 

[mopardave]

I don't know what to ask for by way of compensation......because I do want compensation! I'm going to ask them what THEY propose to do about! Dealer Principle will be getting a call first thing tomorrow.....it'll be very difficult keeping my sh*t together! I DO NOT want to deal with the service/amateur paint correction specialist girl ever again! What a hard faced cow!

 

[mopardave]

Ok, so an update on the scratch. JCT York kept the van (actually, I'd walked away from it) to sort it out. Got a call from the dealer Principle to say the body shop had sorted it. Went back for it this morning.....heart in mouth. I was expecting it to be sat in a rain soaked car park making inspection difficult. In fairness to JCT at York, when I got there, I was pleased to see that it was in a valeting bay sat on a four post lift. Long story short, they've buffed it out and it appears to be fine. My only lingering doubt is that I don't know how much clearcoat has been removed in the process? I mentioned that I wanted it noting that if a paint defect occurs in that area, I want them to accept liability. The Dealer Principle said it's logged so no issue there. I asked for and got a gesture of good will.....but this has yet to be confirmed by email. Assuming that this actually transpires, I have to say that in the end, the Dealer Principle (and VW customer service) has restored my faith. He knew I was gutted....but fair play, he dealt with it. As for the girl in service reception.....she needs a customer relations course, fast! Anyway, shit happens......but when it comes down to it, it's the way problems are resolved that can make all the difference in the world!

 

[DaveyB]

Just glad they have managed to resolve to a position that you are happy with @mopardave

 

[mopardave]

Just glad they have managed to resolve to a position that you are happy with @mopardave

Me too @DaveyB.....me too!

 

[JonB]

@DaveyB thank you for your instructions, just done this on mine and after my water test it’s stayed dry. Hopefully this has done the trick.
I found both my drain holes were fine but the seal on the bottom of the glass was stinking. I think this might have been my issue.
Cleaned up and silicone sprayed the seal now fingers crossed

 

[rod_vw]

It may now not let the water in whilst the glass seal is clean and good but have you tried pouring water down the drain hole? In every case that I have had if you do that the water come out inside the van not outside.

The secret tool to do this is the nozzle off a mastic (or similar) cartridge opened (cut off) to its smallest hole.

Remember that there are two drain holes per window, the one in the centre is not accessible with the sliding glass in place.

 

[JonB]

I’ve poured some isopropanol through each of the drains on both sliding windows and can see them all draining to the outside of the window with nothing coming through to the inside.
I’ll keep an eye on it over the next few days and weeks.
I’ve still got the van booked in for their earliest appointment which is the middle of next month incase it hasn’t solved it

 

[Skimech]

Mines been in twice now. Vw said they had refitted the window the 1st time and cleaned the drains the 2nd. They can’t have checked their work as it poured in both times when I washed the van. Back in tues. I can only hope they change the window out under warranty.

 

[Scruffy]

I've had both windows changed under warranty, but I'm now out of warranty.Does anyone know how long the warranty period is on work done under warranty?

 

[Trouts]

wondering the same thing myself...

 

[phazer]

Generally speaking the warranty ends when it ends even if you have a part replaced a few weeks before the official warranty expires - a new part doesn't refresh it.

No point continually having the windows replaced though, they'll just leak again.

 

[J88arv]

All this makes an epic read, my drivers side I noticed a rubber seal stuck in place but falling off. Checked the other side and it didn’t have one so I whipped it off and low and behold it leaks like a mother now.
I don’t think I have warranty on it as it’s a 2016 so have others fitted seals on?

 

[J88arv]

To follow my last post, I’ve cleared the drains but still comes in. Looks like the securing holes aren’t securing fully as when I press the window (when closed) it flex’s a little which would suggest I haven’t got a true seal with the window when secured. Any advice please team

 

[Davejo]

Hi, the majority of leaks (certainly the warranty replacements) are because the glass to rail bond fails allowing water in from the outside edge of the windows, not from the sliding seals.
It may be that the rubber seals on yours have become dislodged and need replacing/resitting. Keeping them clean and treated with a rubber cleaner/preserver also helps....
regards
Dave

 

[Tic tac]

Hi everyone.
How come you don't let them wash your van?

 

[J88arv]

Well from this I purchased some silicone cleaner spray and sorted, not a drop. The only issue I had was in that bad storm but the wind was that bad I could see the windows flexing lol

 

[bar933]

excellent guide to clearing the drain holes, I having been experiencing these problems with my Kombi windows for since i bought my VW 18 months ago, VW have replaced the offside window once and the near side window 3 times and and I recently discovered water leaking in through the near side window again, back to VW under warrantY. Once the warranty has expired i will be trying this guide provided by Dave.