Any paint bubbles or signs of rust anywhere the van ? especially at the
bottoms of the rear side widows, the hatch window, or the windshield. That's
one place rust often starts first. 
 If there's a paint bubble, the only thing to do for starters is pick it
out, get to bare rusty metal underneath there, and treat it to stop it.
  If there's a hole clear through at the bottom of the rust - well, better
to know and deal with it than to just let it get worse. 

If you get to where you are sure it's the windshield seal or body rusted
below the windshield........I just find it worth to have a professional
windshield person remove and install the windshield. 
  Or,  If you are certain you are replacing the windshield seal, you can
easily remove the windshield by cutting the rubber seal with a razor knife. 
  I found it easy to find reasonably priced aftermarket windshield seals,
but not rear window seals. 
  Good luck !
Scott
www.turbovans.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Neil in 'united' States
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 11:39 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Windshield? Leak

OK, I've done me due dili and read the archives back to 1995.  I'm still
convinced there's more to be learned from real time listees.  Most vans
with this issue are newer than mine and it's difficult to know what
archived listings are applicable to my van and which are goose chases.
Hence:

Got an '82 Westy with wet, driver's foot well, carpet after every rain.
No driving involved, necessarily in this leak.  Just sitting there waiting
for me to fix yet another problem.  Replaced the steering wheel y'day and
stupidly cleaned up any water trails (if there were any), just so you know.

Didn't notice any signs below/near the fuses.  Me antenna is on the
passenger side so, I assume that source is out of the question.  Top of
windshield was sealed with some sort of clear-ish sealant which I removed
while replacing the 'Roof Luggage Carrier' (pop-top) seal.  The leak
predates this removal so that's unlikely the entire source.  Yes, I intend
to reseal the wshield seal.  Tryin' to decide whether the dings in mine
warrant a new one (and more problems, I'm sure).  Whilst I'm still on the
subject, one PO gooped up the bottom of the luggage carrier seal as well.
S/he did so all along the forward edge and partway down the port edge.
Seems VERY stupid to me considering the amount of moisture coming in the
top of the carrier and the lack of any drain holes, that I noticed.

My theory: I'm leaning toward blaming the top wshield seal and perhaps the
bottom as well, where it 'pulls away with age' atrophy.  I may be
replacing the dash soon and so may have more clues during that mess.

Any advice/input/snarky comments from 'experienced' lurkers?  Actually,
nix the snarky comments.  Wisdom w/o tact is obnoxious.  :-)

Neil
'82 Westy
Empty wallet
Migraine
Afraid to take this beast out of the driveway
Desire for a newer, dependable, Toyota, van

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