Major windscreen or scuttle leak.

[1958 harry]

Me again!

I've just got home and checked the van tonight and there's a puddle about a foot square in the drivers footwell. And I thought my old Defender leaked bad!

It looks like it's either coming down the inside of the windscreen seal (although the top of the dash was dry and I'd have expected there to be a puddle on the dash with that amount of water), or its elsewhere.

Looking up inside the dash it looks like it's running down the inside edge on the side from above the bonnet release lever. I've stuck my hand up inside but space is limited but I couldn't feel anything obvious.

Any ideas? I want to get this sorted as it's already rusted the step (I've had it repaired) and there's surface rust on the floor.

[1958 harry]

I've also checked around the windscreen frame and I don't think there is any rot, I've peeled the seal back and it all looks pretty good.

[Neil]

common fault,, try a new screen rubber as the old one may be a good age and just not sealing right

[1958 harry]

Rubber looks like new tbh.

It's definitely the Windscreen, just been out and checked, there's a puddle on top the dash now. It's leaking in where the glass sits in the rubber.

[Neil]

well you need to stop it as the screen scuttle will start to rot under the rubber where you can t see ,,,, if theres a new rubber in there maybe the previous owner had the same problem with it

[1958 harry]

Tbh all the rubbers on the van are in good condition I think it's where it's not been outside all that much over its life. It has had a new windscreen in its life and the rubber must have been replaced then. It's not a normal mk2 rubber either as it doesn't have the ears at the top.

I've photographed where it's leaking, as you can see its coming in where the windscreen glass sits in the rubber seal, not under the seal from the scuttle.

[FredTransit]

It might be the rubber's shrunk a bit bafter being inside now suddenly outside. Winnie's leaks like a sieve! In case you don't know, Winnie was in a warehouse for nearly 13 years solid, up to a couple of years ago. Good thing is the Dormobile windscreen surround is fibreglass. I was recommended some 'creeping crack cure' (ooer) that's used in boats. Will let you know how it goes.

[1958 harry]

That's a good shout. Perhaps it has a shrunk a bit. It does look like it's shrunk a bit down the drivers side.

I've got some Tigerseal so im going to pull the rubber back and put a bead all the way round see if that seals it up.

[DodgeRover]

No don't use tiger seal you will never get the glass out again or be able to reuse the rubber should the screen go, use proper non setting screen sealant.

[bambi mk 1]

Every second one I worked on when new leaked.Its best to remove the screen and dry the rubber and use a sealer both sides of the rubber.Check your drip rail over the door also.Remove the flasher unit and wiper relay and dry out as there may be water in them.

[1958 harry]

I've ordered some proper non setting windscreen sealant. I'll just have to leave lots of towels in the van until it arrives!

[1958 harry]

Just pulled all the rubbers back all nice and solid no rust I can see. But there is some sealant in the rubber where the window sits, but this has broken up so isn't working anymore.

Hopefully the sealant arrives quickly and I can get the van dry. I thought I was done with leaks getting rid of the Defender!

[DougT]

I realise that you have this sorted, but while we are on the subject of leaks from the windscreen area.

I found that my leak was from the gap between the front wing and the windscreen surround panel which then got through between the base of the screen surround panel where it joins the inner wing. I got at the joint through the headlamp hole to seal that and also sealed the gap between the front wing and the screen panel.

Just in case anyone is hunting a leak and it isn't the screen rubber, it is worth checking this area.

Cheers

Doug

[baconsdozen]

The rear screen rubber on my P5b used to leak,its forty odd years old and replacing them is a big job. I used black shoe polish (the old fashioned wax stuff). Took a couple of tins pushing it in the gaps and rubbing into the rubber. The water now 'beads' round the edges and it hasn't leaded at all since.

[1958 harry]

Cheers, the non setting sealant turned up so I sealed it last night, just filled the rubber with sealant and pressed it together.

Messy job but fingers crossed that's cured it. It's going into storage beginning of August anyway so it won't be outdoors for too much longer.