Windscreen leak - anyone?
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: Fort Fun
Windscreen leak - anyone?
I have a 2000 F250 SC that has developed a leak in the windscreen. FWIW, the rig has 92k pretty easy miles on the clock.( I don't go off road except for jobsites). It only appears when I go through the carwash and on very heavy rains while driving. It lets a teeny tricke down the driver side, right infront of me.
I peeled back the trim around the windscreen and see absolutely no sign of why it would be leaking. I tried to get the rubber trim off but didn't go too far because I didn't want to risk ripping it and having to replace it. I didn't want to just dab a bunch of silicone in there for fear of making a real mess and not solving the problem.
Has anyone else had this problem? If so how did you fix it? Just go to the nearest Harmon Autoglass? Nah, that's why you guys are here!
Thanks
Big
I peeled back the trim around the windscreen and see absolutely no sign of why it would be leaking. I tried to get the rubber trim off but didn't go too far because I didn't want to risk ripping it and having to replace it. I didn't want to just dab a bunch of silicone in there for fear of making a real mess and not solving the problem.
Has anyone else had this problem? If so how did you fix it? Just go to the nearest Harmon Autoglass? Nah, that's why you guys are here!
Thanks
Big
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Kodiak USA
Windscreen leak - anyone?
The "rubber trim" is fixed to the windshield, you will only ruin it if you mess with it too much. If you ruin it the only way to get it "fixed" is to buy a whole new windshield - so be careful. You can lift up the soft edge a bit, enough to shoot some sealent in there, but be careful.
Speaking of sealent, DO NOT USE SILICONE! - Never, ever. Use an AUTOGLASS SPECIFIC URETHANE.
Of course thats just general advise, who know why the windshield is leaking.
You can look for the location of the leak using the old soapy water trick. Mix some soapy water, heavy on the soap - so it "clings" well. Pour it over the windshield perimeter, I'd just go with small sections, about 1/3 of the perimter at at time. Then go inside with a compressed air hose & air gun. Follow the interior perimeter of the windshield with the air gun. Then look for the bubbles on the outside - a second person as a spotter makes it easier. This will at least locate the leak.
Also, has the windshield ever been replaced before? If some crack head installed it you could be looking at an R&R in order to get the problem solved.
Speaking of sealent, DO NOT USE SILICONE! - Never, ever. Use an AUTOGLASS SPECIFIC URETHANE.
Of course thats just general advise, who know why the windshield is leaking.
You can look for the location of the leak using the old soapy water trick. Mix some soapy water, heavy on the soap - so it "clings" well. Pour it over the windshield perimeter, I'd just go with small sections, about 1/3 of the perimter at at time. Then go inside with a compressed air hose & air gun. Follow the interior perimeter of the windshield with the air gun. Then look for the bubbles on the outside - a second person as a spotter makes it easier. This will at least locate the leak.
Also, has the windshield ever been replaced before? If some crack head installed it you could be looking at an R&R in order to get the problem solved.
Last edited by just_brian; Aug 22, 2003 at 03:01 PM.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: Fort Fun
Windscreen leak - anyone?
JB,
Thanks for the soapy water tip as well as the urethane tip.
The windscreen has never been out nor cracked. I have owned the truck since new (12-23-99 Merry Christmas). Not sure what would cause it to leak on me like this.
Thanks
Thanks for the soapy water tip as well as the urethane tip.
The windscreen has never been out nor cracked. I have owned the truck since new (12-23-99 Merry Christmas). Not sure what would cause it to leak on me like this.
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 7
From: USA
Windscreen leak - anyone?
leaving windows closed in extreme hot weather will cause expansion and contraction along the seal .If the factory didn't get it right from the begining it may show up now !
Rich
Rich
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Kodiak USA
Windscreen leak - anyone?
Originally posted by 99f350sd
I gotta price of $200 installed for a new one thats not to bad..You might consider changing it if you have a hard time fixing.
I gotta price of $200 installed for a new one thats not to bad..You might consider changing it if you have a hard time fixing.
Just some friendly advise from someone who has fixed/replaced many botched w/s installations.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 228
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From: Kodiak USA
Windscreen leak - anyone?
Originally posted by FortyFords
leaving windows closed in extreme hot weather will cause expansion and contraction along the seal .If the factory didn't get it right from the begining it may show up now !
Rich
leaving windows closed in extreme hot weather will cause expansion and contraction along the seal .If the factory didn't get it right from the begining it may show up now !
Rich
But, constant exposure to high heat will degrade the urethane adhesive that bonds the windshield in place. It's not a notorious problem its just a fact, heat accelerates the degradation of everything, but we're talking years, and years. I wouldn't expect this to be a major factor if your truck is a 00.
More likely it what you said about the factory...it might be a pre-existing flaw that just happened to fail now causing the leak.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 7
From: USA
Windscreen leak - anyone?
Pete ,I'm well aware of the vents ,their behind the seats in the rear cab wall . I meant heat expansion along the seal of ureathane sealeant used on our w/s . I've replaced more w/s than I care to remember .
Yes the sun is a big factor in the whole equation
but if the factory doesn't get the sealeant where it needs to be ,with the way these trucks flex ,you can develope a leak from heat expansion.
Just my $.02
Rich
Yes the sun is a big factor in the whole equation
but if the factory doesn't get the sealeant where it needs to be ,with the way these trucks flex ,you can develope a leak from heat expansion.
Just my $.02
Rich
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New User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7
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From: Wilmington,IL
Windscreen leak - anyone?
Guys if your windshield started leaking like mine did it seperated from the black mate that is put on the windshields from the glass maker! I was told the 99's had to have a lot of windshields removed and put back in because of damage from the freight yards! You could see where it was seperated and fixed by someone! My windshield poped out at the bottom about an inch when you would shut the door! I took it to Ford and they would not let me drive it they fixed it by puting a new one in! It was asaftey issue! They paid for everything! Plus gave me a vehicle to drive!
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: USA
Windscreen leak - anyone?
When I bought my SD used, it has a wind noise on the freeway. I took it to Ford, and they said that the windshield was't origional, and that if you pushed out on it, it would completely come off of the seal in the upper right corner. They wouldn't touch it. I made the dealership that I bought it from fix it. The windshield place that did it said that the window is so large that they cannot pull it out and reseal it, that the whole windshield had to be replaced. It cost the dealership $650. Glad I didn't have to pay for it.