×
BigJimnyMeet (North) 2024 (12 Jan 2024)


BigJimnyMeet 2024

14th July 2024
Parkwood Nr. Leeds

Booking now open - EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTED PRICE

Click HERE for details

× A place for more technical discussions. Please make sure you post in the correct section on the site, this way it keeps the site tidy AND ensures you get a more relevant answer.

Bad rust on the upper side of windshield - leaking

  • Gerula
  • Topic Author
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
    Public
26 Nov 2015 17:46 - 26 Nov 2015 17:48 #157243 by Gerula
Today, in a heavy rain, I noticed some water drops coming down on the dashboard. Pulled over, took a closer look, water was coming from the upper edge of the windshield. Drove home, detached a bit the roof upholstery and found myself looking at ugly red rust right where the front edge of the roof gets a bit under the upper side of the windshield.


Outside of the car there's no obvious damage of the gasket on the upper side of the windshield but it looks like in a heavy rain water may be able to find a way in, particularly in the areas around the upper corners of the gasket.
I use the Jimny as an everyday car in a busy town that gets horribly crippled in bad weather, so I cannot really have it sit in a service for a few days, particularly with heavy rains outside and winter around the corner.

Is there any quick temporary fix that doesn't involve taking out the windshield, doing a proper job with the rusted spots and putting back the windshield? What I'm looking for is something that could take the car trough the winter, as In spring I'd have no problem letting the Jimny sit in a workshop for a few days.

Thanks a lot for any useful suggestion :)
Last edit: 26 Nov 2015 17:48 by Gerula.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
26 Nov 2015 18:07 #157246 by helijohn
I had similar to this on a Ford Cortina. There was a pinhole in the guttering allowing water to leak in and that caused a rust patch farther down. I found the leak and plugged it then dealt with the rust. ;)

Do it right - use Hammerite
When the blue light is flashing I am kidding.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • mickt
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
    Public
26 Nov 2015 19:18 #157260 by mickt
You could try some sealant piped in with a caulking gun from the inside. Nothing to lose.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • OllieNZ
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
    Public
27 Nov 2015 07:09 #157288 by OllieNZ
Jimny windscreens are bonded in. The trim around the windscreen is just that, trim. It serves no real purpose. I'd be more concerned about the effect that the rust will have on the windscreen bond as the windscreen forms part of the structure and helps prevent cabin deformation in the event of a rollover it also helps keep the airbags where they need to be. If it comes out in the event of a frontal collision it will suck the airbags with it.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • OllieNZ
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
    Public
27 Nov 2015 08:29 #157289 by OllieNZ
I also forgot to add the only way to truly stop the leak is to have the screen removed deal with the rust and refit the screen.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
27 Nov 2015 09:34 #157290 by helijohn

OllieNZ wrote: I'd be more concerned about the effect that the rust will have on the windscreen bond as the windscreen forms part of the structure and helps prevent cabin deformation in the event of a rollover.


Gosh worrying that. ;) I think a lot of folks drive around with a lot worse. :laugh:

Do it right - use Hammerite
When the blue light is flashing I am kidding.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • OllieNZ
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
    Public
27 Nov 2015 10:15 #157293 by OllieNZ

helijohn wrote:

OllieNZ wrote: I'd be more concerned about the effect that the rust will have on the windscreen bond as the windscreen forms part of the structure and helps prevent cabin deformation in the event of a rollover.


Gosh worrying that. ;) I think a lot of folks drive around with a lot worse. :laugh:

You'd be surprised ;) if a windscreen aperture was rusty we'd refuse to fit a new screen until it had been dealt with.....

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • wombat
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
    Public
27 Nov 2015 15:36 #157309 by wombat
Hi, on my previous jimny, a 2003 model i noticed rust appearing along the top edge of the windscreen on the roof which i admit was worrying. I meant to investigate further but on checking the boot floor as well thought sod it and traded it in against another one !!

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Gerula
  • Topic Author
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
    Public
27 Nov 2015 22:26 - 27 Nov 2015 22:29 #157362 by Gerula

OllieNZ wrote: Jimny windscreens are bonded in. The trim around the windscreen is just that, trim. It serves no real purpose. I'd be more concerned about the effect that the rust will have on the windscreen bond as the windscreen forms part of the structure and helps prevent cabin deformation in the event of a rollover it also helps keep the airbags where they need to be. If it comes out in the event of a frontal collision it will suck the airbags with it.


Yes they are bonded in but without the trim the water would be able to find some spots where to sit. Which I suspect is what happened on mine. The upper side of the glass forms a "lip" and water sitting there would eventually cause rust to the metal.

This being said, I know I'll have eventually to take the windshield down but I simply cannot do that now. I'm tempted to remove the rubber trim in order to be able to see the spot where the water leaks under the glass and apply some rust-stopping compound there, followed by silicon. Will probably have to purchase a new rubber trim but that should be quite inexpensive.

mickt wrote: You could try some sealant piped in with a caulking gun from the inside. Nothing to lose.


Doing it from the inside won't prevent water from sitting between the metal and the glass, causing more rust and possibly even breaking the windshield trough freezing.
Last edit: 27 Nov 2015 22:29 by Gerula.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • OllieNZ
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
    Public
28 Nov 2015 10:25 #157391 by OllieNZ

Gerula wrote:
Yes they are bonded in but without the trim the water would be able to find some spots where to sit. Which I suspect is what happened on mine. The upper side of the glass forms a "lip" and water sitting there would eventually cause rust to the metal.

This being said, I know I'll have eventually to take the windshield down but I simply cannot do that now. I'm tempted to remove the rubber trim in order to be able to see the spot where the water leaks under the glass and apply some rust-stopping compound there, followed by silicon. Will probably have to purchase a new rubber trim but that should be quite inexpensive.


I'm going to have to disagree on that. I've fitted screens to several different types of car that had no trim whatsoever and the designs didn't appear to apply any consideration to drainage and to even more cars where the trim would trap water.
It's more likely that your jimny has had it's screen replaced in the past and the paint work was damaged which is very easily done.
Iirc (it's been a while since I did a jimny screen) the trim is likely to damage the glass in the top corners during removal. So I'd advise against trying to get it out until you are ready to get the screen done.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Time to create page: 0.113 seconds
Powered by Kunena Forum

I hope you enjoy using this forum. Please consider making a donation towards the upkeep of this forum website.

We use cookies to give you the best online experience. Please let us know if you agree to all of these cookies. Accepting the Cookies also accepts the Disclaimers for the website.