Leaking Sliding Window

[tony2770]

Hi, I know there are many posts on leaking side windows. Mine is leaking in heavy rain kitchen side and the drain holes work, I spoke to my local dealer they can replace the sliding window or whole window, They normally replace the whole window under warranty to fix the leak. Has anyone just had the sliding window replaced and fixed the problem or am I better having the complete window replaced? The cost is around £600 for whole window I am not in warranty.

 

[ArunAlec]

Hi, I know there are many posts on leaking side windows. Mine is leaking in heavy rain kitchen side and the drain holes work, I spoke to my local dealer they can replace the sliding window or whole window, They normally replace the whole window under warranty to fix the leak. Has anyone just had the sliding window replaced and fixed the problem or am I better having the complete window replaced? The cost is around £600 for whole window I am not in warranty.

Assuming it’s the “normal“ problem replacing just the sliding glass isn’t going to fix the fact that the drains are a c##p design. It might stop water getting to the drain and get rid of the problem, for now, but you will still have the potential for leaks if the window seal ever lets water in.
At least you will have some warranty on the repair if you have the whole side window replaced.
Once I had mine replaced I hardly ever opened it….. just in case!
Also worth having a go at VW customer service….. given the known problem with the windows they really should be offering something!

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Hi, I know there are many posts on leaking side windows. Mine is leaking in heavy rain kitchen side and the drain holes work, I spoke to my local dealer they can replace the sliding window or whole window, They normally replace the whole window under warranty to fix the leak. Has anyone just had the sliding window replaced and fixed the problem or am I better having the complete window replaced? The cost is around £600 for whole window I am not in warranty.

Hi @tony2770 , I don’t have this problem (yet) but i’m interested to know where the water gets in? Is it because the window doesn’t seal properly when closed? If so, is it the rubber seal on the sliding window that has failed and could this easily be replaced I wonder? That would be a low cost fix if possible.

 

[ArunAlec]

Hi @tony2770 , I don’t have this problem (yet) but i’m interested to know where the water gets in? Is it because the window doesn’t seal properly when closed? If so, is it the rubber seal on the sliding window that has failed and could this easily be replaced I wonder? That would be a low cost fix if possible.

I think the fact that VW have seen fit to have drains as part of the window suggests that they don’t expect the window seals to be 100% watertight. Its just unfortunate that they’ve also made drains that aren’t 100% watertight!

 

[tony2770]

Hi @tony2770 , I don’t have this problem (yet) but i’m interested to know where the water gets in? Is it because the window doesn’t seal properly when closed? If so, is it the rubber seal on the sliding window that has failed and could this easily be replaced I wonder? That would be a low cost fix if possible.

Hi GrumpyGrandad the seals don't work as when I wash the van with a hose water gets in. Don't think they replace the seals either its the sliding window or whole window. I am thinking I might have to replace the whole window.

 

[rod_vw]

Hi, I know there are many posts on leaking side windows. Mine is leaking in heavy rain kitchen side and the drain holes work, I spoke to my local dealer they can replace the sliding window or whole window, They normally replace the whole window under warranty to fix the leak. Has anyone just had the sliding window replaced and fixed the problem or am I better having the complete window replaced? The cost is around £600 for whole window I am not in warranty.

If you mean that there is wetness passing the seal in rain or when washing the vehicle but the drains are successfully diverting that totally to the outside of the van then with a thorough cleaning of the vertical seal and horizontal runners should solve your problem. Caveat being that there is often a small seepage from outside to inside.
It may of course be that the catch assembly is not ensuring that the sliding portion is completely closing.
If however the drains are allowing water to come inti the inside of the vehicle the only fix that a dealer can offer is to change the complete window.
Please keep us posted.

 

[sbmcd]

This may be useful https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/leaking-side-window.46777/post-608645

 

[Perfectos]

Hi @tony2770 , I don’t have this problem (yet) but i’m interested to know where the water gets in? Is it because the window doesn’t seal properly when closed? If so, is it the rubber seal on the sliding window that has failed and could this easily be replaced I wonder? That would be a low cost fix if possible.

Keep the seals in good condition,
clean them to remove the grit and crud, with a clean damp cloth, then apply some Gummi Pflege (or similar silicone based rubber treatment to the whole seal(s), (Holts silicone spray is good)
let the Gummi dry before closing the windows.
clean all the shuts with silicone spray applied to a cloth.
clean the slide track and flush out the bottom sliding mech / catch with silicone.
Applying a good layer of Gummi with a small paintbrush whilst the window is open in various positions allows you to get to the whole seal.

I do mine twice per year at least.

Never jet wash around the sliding seal.

That in reality is all you can do to keep the seals in good condition.

 

[couplands]

On our Sept 22 Ocean, we had water leaking from day 1. I tried cleaning the seals and check drain holes, all of which appeared good.

Dealer agreed to swap entire window, so far it seems to have fixed the leak.

 

[ArunAlec]

On our Sept 22 Ocean, we had water leaking from day 1. I tried cleaning the seals and check drain holes, all of which appeared good.

Dealer agreed to swap entire window, so far it seems to have fixed the leak.

Probably worth you doing a “syringe test” of the drains on the new window. Otherwise you won’t know if the fix is 100% until the seal lets water passed.

It‘s amazing that VW have been fitting these windows with their flawed drains for over 10 years!

 

[couplands]

Probably worth you doing a “syringe test” of the drains on the new window. Otherwise you won’t know if the fix is 100% until the seal lets water passed.

It‘s amazing that VW have been fitting these windows with their flawed drains for over 10 years!

The drains on my original window were fine and ran clear, but water was still getting in. They are so small that any water coming in will overwhelm the drain and spill over the plastic housing, not sure how they ever expect them to work.

I agree, the design is abysmal....!

 

[Victor Winston]

I have read all the threads in relation to window leaks but cannot find one in relation to my issue. I have actually found the water was running down the inside of the glass from the top and from just behind the pull down blind and landing on the glass cover of the gas rings. I can't find anyone having this problem or have I missed one? Apologies if I have missed this!

2015 Cali

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

I have read all the threads in relation to window leaks but cannot find one in relation to my issue. I have actually found the water was running down the inside of the glass from the top and from just behind the pull down blind and landing on the glass cover of the gas rings. I can't find anyone having this problem or have I missed one? Apologies if I have missed this!

2015 Cali

Sounds like the top edge of the window seal might be compromised?

 

[Victor Winston]

Is that repairable or a window replacement? The seal looks ok on the sliding window but appears to be coming from above there. I suppose taping around the window outside and testing with a hose would eliminate that. If you look up there appears to be a very small hole drilled in the metal framework and I cant decide if that should be blocked or not?

 

[Perfectos]

Photos ?

the slider window works on a very very basic principle; rubber seal, sliding windows . Compression of seal = water tight seal ! If you have any issue with wear or a compromised seal water will get in.(dirt on the seal can affect its ability to resist water)

 

[Perfectos]

Wear of the mechanics of the window (use) can affect the ability to seal = small plastic pegs create tge pressure to pull the window onto the seal !

 

[Victor Winston]

Apologies if I am not being concise, it's not the siding window its from above, but extremely difficult to ascertain from where!

 

[Victor Winston]

Not only here but from inside the fixed glass panel as well, I appreciate the recent weather has been awful but this started just prior to the extreme storms.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Worth trying some tape along the top of the fixed window to test it. If no leaks then maybe the pop top seal is not good and water is getting in and finding its way down inside? Or maybe the black cador rail is not sealed properly. Just a thought.

 

[Victor Winston]

Will try tape first outside, not sure how it gets down via roof, all the posts seem to be about water under the sink not above! Further investigation required. Has anyone had success with silicone along the top of the fixed glass panel or is it a straight replacement?

 

[Victor Winston]

Wasn't subject to driving rain, been parked in a fairly sheltered area, that's the concern.

 

[sbmcd]

Try cleaning the rubber seal surface and glass sealing surface with spray silicon, I have a 2014 California and the sealing surfaces require regular cleaning to remain effective.

I use a cloth, tiny kids toothbrush and a thin trim tool with a cloth to get to the awkward areas where the Windows overlap, spray the silicon onto the cloth or toothbrush to apply, you'll be surprised how dirty they get.

Ours was leaking a little after our recent trip away but since cleaned has kept out the recent monsoon rain we have had.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

But isn’t the leak from somewhere above the sliding window? There appears to be a water droplet on the bottom of the window blind.

 

[flying banana]

Thought I'd look at my crappy leaky window. Pulled out the gasket and found a bit seems to have been purposely cut out about the size of the lock mechanism. Ordered a new rubber length off ebay. How easy are they to get back in? I can't get the old one back in for the life of me the bit between the glass and lock .