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Old 09-14-2009, 03:17 PM   #1
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Windshield Leak

I have a 2003 Brave.

Occasionally I have had a leak on the inside of the driver’s windshield. The leak develops at the mid point in the windshield with drops of water running down the inside glass surface and occasionally drips forming under the inside trim and dripping down. Being mostly a weekend campground MH user, it only seemed to happen when heavy rains fell and only of two previous occasions while parked at a campground.

I went to a local RV/Auto glass installation business. They checked every thing out concerning the windshield installation and found no problems. Though they did admit that when they water tested the windshield from the outside they would still get leaking inside. They had no solution to offer.

Because we were originally weekend campers and it only happened twice while camping, we took no further action. Then I retired.

Well, we made a 5 week western trip starting in August. We live in Ohio. It was mostly dry weather all the way, but while driving through Kansas on a rainy day the leak again appeared, and continued throughout the day.

I did notice the exterior center vertical rubber trim piece between the windshields was gapped at the top about 1” below the horizontal top strip, and seated actually beneath bottom horizontal rubber strip. I pushed the center vertical strip up to touch the top strip, but the water was already dripping inside so I don’t know if that helped.

I’m wondering…
How is the rubber weather stripping supposed to fit around the two windshields?
Could the gap at the top allow the rain to be forced (wind driven) in to the coach then travel the interior trim and drip down the inside?
Does the rubber windshield trim have a life expectancy, and should it be replaced? (If so are they common and available at windshield replacement or RV shops.

Thanks in advance for any help.
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Old 09-14-2009, 03:36 PM   #2
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Jim & Carol,
I'm sorry to hear about that leak. I have a 2008 Destination that developed a leak just left of center. Fortunately it is/was under warranty. Also fortunately the dealer has a specialist from outside come in to take are of these problems.

Unfortunately, here is what he said in gist. 'Winnebago has had a leak problem from the get-go.'

It is not the gasket/windsheild that is leaking but the metal above the upper gasket and the way to see it is to pull the molding down from inside the cab at the top.

He made a statement that he would guarantee his work for as long as he is alive. So I think your answer is going to be a good body work person.

Let us know what you find and good luck. I really hope it is something more simple
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Old 09-14-2009, 03:39 PM   #3
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I may have written this thread prematurely. I just searched and read a lengthy thread on windshield leaks. They all sound familiar.

Feel free to add any comments to this thread anyway. Every little bit helps.

Jim
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Old 09-14-2009, 06:44 PM   #4
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As you've discovered, windshield leaks are not terribly uncommon due to rusting of the metal frame surrounding the windshield. I also have an intermittent leak that I've been chasing for a couple of years and I am coming to believe it may be from the windshield.

FYI, that rubber trim on the outside does not create a water seal, at least on my rig. If you remove the trim, you can see that the windshield is held in the frame by the adhesive used.
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Old 09-14-2009, 07:19 PM   #5
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I have a '96 Adventurer and have been chasing a leak for two weeks now, and found it today!! Seems Wayne's specialist must be correct. My leak is coming from where the windshield seals at the top and runs in the cap and pools on the roll cage metal above the headliner. From the outside, when I pull the trim back from the windshield, it appears it's a faulty seal around the top of the windshield.

What now??
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Old 09-15-2009, 07:32 AM   #6
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My previous coach was a 97 Adventure. I had a leak problem from time to time. One day the windshield cracked. When the glass co. removed the old windshield they found rust on the frame that put pressure on the glass causing it to crack. They cleaned up the rust and properly sealed the new windshield and no more leaks. I would be concerned about rust forming around the leak.

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Old 09-15-2009, 08:04 AM   #7
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I would also check the clearance lights above the windsheild. They have been known to leak aswell.
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Old 09-15-2009, 11:14 AM   #8
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Thanks to all for you comments and suggestions. Because I picked up a stone chip in my windshield while on our western trip, I am having a windshield service coming out to fix the chip. I will share several of these threads with the technician and ask for his opinion. Because this local company has been in the commercial windshield business for over 60 years, perhaps they will have some words of wisdom too.
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Old 09-22-2009, 03:54 AM   #9
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Windshield leak

Jim,

On my '01 Suncruiser I developed the same type of leak. Eventually the windshield cracked in the area where the leak had started. I eventually paid the $675 for a new driver's side windshield. The glass company told me they would not guarantee that the windshield would not crack again. The installer assured me it would crack again! When he removed the windshield I was amazed at the significant amount of rust on the window frame. He told me I would need to grind down the rust before he would do the work. I did my best to eliminate all of the rust and then primed the area. Unfortunately within two weeks, and while sitting idle, the windshield cracked again in a different area. The crack started in one of the areas where I did some grinding and clean-up. I now regret not bringing it in to the dealer for the repair. They probably would have done a better job cleaning the area up before the new glass was installed. I did purchase the exterior rubber seal from a parts distributor in Forest City. Guess you live and learn, but it was an expensive lesson! Good luck with your repair.
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Old 09-24-2009, 11:25 PM   #10
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Have 04 Adventurer 33', windshield leaked both sides. Both windshields cracked,
steel frames rusted so bad on tops, sections had to be replaced in '08. $2300
later seems okay
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Old 09-28-2009, 06:32 AM   #11
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Windshield Leak

I just finished repairing a leak on my 2004 Horizon. It seems that the metal frame around the top of the windshiels had begun to rust and saused the seal to be broken, thus the leak. If you remove the rubber trim by pulling it out of the plastic channel, you can look and see if you have rust as well. If you do, I would recommend fixing it as I did as follows:

Remove the rubber trim and then carefully pry the plastic channel off the metal windshield frame by getting a screwdriver behind it and carefully lifting it up. It is held in place by double stick tape.

Clean up the metal frame and scrape any loose rust away. Treat the metal with what ever rust converter you choose and paint to prevent rust in the future. I used POR 15 and Metal Prep to protect against future rust.

Remove the old double stick tape off the plastic channel and install new tape.

Before reinstalling the channel, run a bead of windshield sealant/adhesive to seal the joint between the newly painted metal frame and the existing sealant to stop the leak and reinstall the channel and trim in the reverse order.

Hope this helps,

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Old 09-28-2009, 11:16 AM   #12
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Pete, good write up, I think I may have the same problem. Now to figure out why the passenger side window is leaking.....
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Old 10-17-2009, 12:23 PM   #13
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We had water leaks on the RH windshield since it was new. It took us over a year to figure out that both windshields had been replaced before we bought it new. We found that when they were replaced they had not applied the bonding glue completely around the glass allowing the water to come over the top and drain down the corner post and flood the bottom step. Had it recaulked and water tested and it went away. The rubber moulding is for looks and does nothing to prevent the leak. The bonding of the glass to the metal frame is the key
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Old 10-31-2009, 11:00 PM   #14
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I have a 2003 Adventurer and had the same problem for over two years. Took it to two different dealers and even though they re-caulked around the windshield, the problem got worse. A couple of weeks ago I took it to General RV and had the glass removed and the frame repaired. The rust on the frame was unbelievable. It appears Winnebago did a poor job of applying sufficient sealant/adhesive for the windshield to be properly installed. A couple of friends who also own Winnebagos are also having the same issue. This seems to be a common theme on the class A's.
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Old 11-21-2009, 03:46 PM   #15
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Winshield popped out...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick Stephenson View Post
I have a 2003 Adventurer and had the same problem for over two years. Took it to two different dealers and even though they re-caulked around the windshield, the problem got worse. A couple of weeks ago I took it to General RV and had the glass removed and the frame repaired. The rust on the frame was unbelievable. It appears Winnebago did a poor job of applying sufficient sealant/adhesive for the windshield to be properly installed. A couple of friends who also own Winnebago's are also having the same issue. This seems to be a common theme on the class A's.
I have an 07 Safari Simba. The windshield became so loose that it pulled away from the top enough so that I can stick my finger through the opening. It also cracked. The insurance company ordered a new one piece glass and it broke in transit. Now I am waiting for the second one to arrive. The glass installers claim that there is no frame in mine. The glass, with adhesive, sits in the fiberglass. Then the rubber trim goes on. They will fix it as best they can, but they don't like the fact that there is no trim piece, just adhesive and the decorative rubber. The company that ordered the glass says that they have seen this before. The glass seated in the cap becomes an integral part of the coach body. When the glass cracks and/or becomes loose the fiberglass body is at risk of being twisted out of shape. This doesn't make me comfortable, worrying that it may happen again.
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Old 11-23-2009, 12:41 PM   #16
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Monaco without a metal frame for windshield

Does any other Monaco owner have this problem (no metal frame for glass) and what can be done as a fix? The way it stands now, the glass will be put onto/into the fiberglass and held with adhesive. It seems like any body movement at all will cause failure in time.
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Old 11-24-2009, 03:20 PM   #17
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UPDATE

Quote:
Originally Posted by azloafer View Post
Does any other Monaco owner have this problem (no metal frame for glass) and what can be done as a fix? The way it stands now, the glass will be put onto/into the fiberglass and held with adhesive. It seems like any body movement at all will cause failure in time.
UPDATE: The second glass broke in transit also. You would think that it would be packed well enough to eliminate any chance of damage. You would think...
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Old 12-03-2009, 11:32 AM   #18
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Third winshield arrived broken!

Quote:
Originally Posted by azloafer View Post
UPDATE: The second glass broke in transit also. You would think that it would be packed well enough to eliminate any chance of damage. You would think...
Dec 3, 2009 I was just notified that the third windshield arrived at the installers and it is also broken.
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Old 12-03-2009, 06:13 PM   #19
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Like many others my 2003 Adventurer had the same problem on the drivers side right at the centre point, my windshield finally cracked and had to be replaced, I could not believe the amount of rust that was in there the auto glass people told me that is what caused the windshield to crack in the first place, they cleaned up all the rust and coated it and replaced the windshield that was 2 years ago so far no leaks and no cracks, looks like winnebago could have done a little better job of rust proofing the frame
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Old 12-04-2009, 12:41 AM   #20
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Fourth windshield broken!

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Dec 3, 2009 I was just notified that the third windshield arrived at the installers and it is also broken.
I called my insurance company and asked if they could have the next windshield shipped with a company other than Duncan because this is the fourth one to arrive broken. They thought that I was wrong and there is NO WAY that four windshields could arrive broken. They called the installer and found out that it was true. What...did they think I was going down to the glass installers and breaking them?
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