Windshield leak
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Windshield leak
After a week or so of ownership, I nearly had a stroke when I witnessed water dripping on the passenger seat of my w204 coupe. After using offensive words on the beloved automobile, I decided to clean the sunroof drains. To my surprise the sunroof drained properly. After the initial shock I decided to dissemble the front portion of the headliner. Once the headliner was loose enough for me to see the windshield, I noticed that my windshield was not sealed properly on the passenger side. For example, if I push the windshield from the inside of the car, I can see the glass move and hear the glass pop.
Long story short, 20 inches of my windshield is unsealed. The black gasket is in place, however the windshield is not sealed properly on the passenger side. Does anyone have any ideas? Should I try to have the windshield resealed? Can anyone tell me if the glass is original?
Long story short, 20 inches of my windshield is unsealed. The black gasket is in place, however the windshield is not sealed properly on the passenger side. Does anyone have any ideas? Should I try to have the windshield resealed? Can anyone tell me if the glass is original?
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
In some cars the windshield acts as added stiffening for the body. I do not know whether this is the case with the W204 but it would be worth investigating.
If this was not the case I may consider sealing the leak with some silicone.
To do the job properly I think it should be removed & resealed correctly.
If this was not the case I may consider sealing the leak with some silicone.
To do the job properly I think it should be removed & resealed correctly.
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soldr230 (05-13-2017)
#3
Super Member
The w204 is a unibody construction, the windshield is considered a structural part for the body. You can have it resealed/ fixed but why this happened I don't get.. any accidents?
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soldr230 (05-13-2017)
#5
Super Member
In some cars the windshield acts as added stiffening for the body. I do not know whether this is the case with the W204 but it would be worth investigating.
If this was not the case I may consider sealing the leak with some silicone.
To do the job properly I think it should be removed & resealed correctly.
If this was not the case I may consider sealing the leak with some silicone.
To do the job properly I think it should be removed & resealed correctly.
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
No, the car was purchased from a used car lot without a warranty. I just spoke to the first auto glass shop. The glass installer quoted a hundred dollars to reseal it in my driveway. They mentioned that it is possible the windshield could break on disassembly. I plan to call other glass shops before noon.
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#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Just checked the area in question. As previously stated, the black (rectangle type) gasket is in place, but I do not see any glue. As a matter of fact I am unsure of the purpose of the black strip underneath the window. Is it a gasket or is the part some sort of window holder? The opposite side is stiff with zero moment.
Last edited by soldr230; 05-13-2017 at 09:34 AM.
#9
Senior Member
it seems strange that this would just appear out of nowhere. does the glass look brand new, pitting or sandblasting? i wonder if the glass was replaced by the dealer recently prior to selling it and it was just done poorly...
i think you are on the right track by having a pro just reseal it and be done with it.
i think you are on the right track by having a pro just reseal it and be done with it.
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soldr230 (05-13-2017)
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
The glass looks good. I am unsure if the windshield is new or not. It does not have any chips or stains. For some strange reason the Mercedes-Benz sticker on the passenger corner of the windshield is missing. The residue from the sticker is visible, and I did notice a palm smudge on the very top of the windshield (behind rearview mirror) was passed along with purchase.
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soldr230 (05-13-2017)
The following users liked this post:
soldr230 (05-13-2017)
#15
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Sounds about right. I don't know how they could guarantee a leak free seal without replacing the gasket. I will post the results.
#16
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2014 C350, 1998 Integra Type R
I just bought a 2014 C350 Coupe Tuesday to replace my 2009 C300 and during the 4 hour drive back, the front was covered with bugs. When I got home I gave the front a wash, soaking the entire bumper/windshield with water and when I opened the passenger door, there was water on the seat! I felt the a-pillar and it was wet. So funny you posted this. I quickly looked at the seals but not thoroughly. It rained yesterday and everything was dry so I thought maybe the door was cracked or something when washing but after seeing this, I'm thinking there's a problem. Did you ever have the windshield re-sealed?
#17
MBWorld Fanatic!
Holy christ, where do you guys go to get your windshield replaced??!
And my insurance company gives me grief for not going to Maaco or whatever the crap places they want me to go.
Dealer for me....especially with my $0 insurance deductible
And my insurance company gives me grief for not going to Maaco or whatever the crap places they want me to go.
Dealer for me....especially with my $0 insurance deductible
#18
MBWorld Fanatic!
#19
Junior Member
Thread Starter
It seems to be a manufacture defect. I am still waiting to have the glass fixed. The windshield installer mentioned that he couldn't guarantee the glass would hold up during the removal process.
#20
Super Member
If by "manufacture defect" you mean from the factory, I highly doubt that. If that was the case it would have shown up under warranty and been addressed a long time ago. Chances are it was replaced and probably recently and was not done properly. From the amount of water you said you were getting no previous owner would have put up with that for long. The car would quickly smell of mildew.
Good luck. Hope you get it sorted properly soon.
Good luck. Hope you get it sorted properly soon.
#21
Windshield
After a week or so of ownership, I nearly had a stroke when I witnessed water dripping on the passenger seat of my w204 coupe. After using offensive words on the beloved automobile, I decided to clean the sunroof drains. To my surprise the sunroof drained properly. After the initial shock I decided to dissemble the front portion of the headliner. Once the headliner was loose enough for me to see the windshield, I noticed that my windshield was not sealed properly on the passenger side. For example, if I push the windshield from the inside of the car, I can see the glass move and hear the glass pop.
Long story short, 20 inches of my windshield is unsealed. The black gasket is in place, however the windshield is not sealed properly on the passenger side. Does anyone have any ideas? Should I try to have the windshield resealed? Can anyone tell me if the glass is original?
Long story short, 20 inches of my windshield is unsealed. The black gasket is in place, however the windshield is not sealed properly on the passenger side. Does anyone have any ideas? Should I try to have the windshield resealed? Can anyone tell me if the glass is original?
Last edited by Randall Carter; 10-15-2019 at 07:58 AM. Reason: Word spelled wrong.
#22
Junior Member
Thread Starter
#23
Windshield coming loose.
I bought my 2013 C250 coupe new in 2012. Yesterday after an all day rain, water started dripping in my passenger seat. After about an hour if searching for the leak, I too fond that the windshield is coming loose on the passenger side. I have never had the windshield replaced.
#25
Member
Rainy Season here in Southern California and guess what happened. . . it looks like I have the windshield leaking problem. Sunroof drain seems to be clear and the leak is closer to the windshield than the sunroof.
I have placed a strip of 2 inch black electrical tape along the top of the windshield and the roof of the car. If the leak stops then I know the problem is in fact a leaking windshield.
Is there a downside to filling the top gap between the windshield and roof with black silicone/butyl?
thanks
Temporary fix for suspected windshield seal leak. If it fixes the issue then I know what the problem is.
I have placed a strip of 2 inch black electrical tape along the top of the windshield and the roof of the car. If the leak stops then I know the problem is in fact a leaking windshield.
Is there a downside to filling the top gap between the windshield and roof with black silicone/butyl?
thanks
Temporary fix for suspected windshield seal leak. If it fixes the issue then I know what the problem is.