At 12:52 PM 3/16/98 EST, DEREKWH125 wrote:
>I noticed substantial leaks, on both driver and passenger side, after
having a
>new windshield installed last year using an aftermarket seal. Recently I had
>the seal replaced with a factory seal and the leaks have stopped. I was told
>by the glass guy that he has seen a lot of problems with the aftermarket
seals
>and only recommends the OEM.
>
>Derek
>'Syncro GL (for sale)
>San Rafael, CA
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To Derek and the Listees -

There are NO aftermarket seals for the Vanagon that I am aware of.  WCM,
RMMW, Ron, Kyle and myself (amongst others I'm sure,) are selling the OE
Seals because that's all that's available, often bringing them from VW (or
the OE mfr) in Europe or buying them from the dealer here.  I have not seen
any Mexican/Brazilian being brought in by my importers/suppliers (Thank
Gawd!) either as of yet.

I raise this point because I had a windshield replaced two years ago on my
Ex-80 Wanagon because someone threw a rock from the highway into it while
parked in my driveway.  I ordered the seal from VW and had a local Auto
Glass shop get the glass and install the whole enchilada.  It did leak in
the right lower corner for a awhile, but then stopped.  I attribute this to
either a poor installation on the installer's end or possibly rust pitting
on the window flange.

Rust pitting on the window flange of the body is something that should be
attended to before installing a new seal.  Experience in manufacturing and
installing earlier splittie and breadloaf seals has proven to me that the
flange area the seal comes into contact with has to be smooth as a baby's
rear for the seal's internal water deflection's ribs to work properly.  The
area may have to be filled, sanded and painted to achieve this.

I am working on manufacturing the Vanagon windshield seal.  Tooling is
basically done and I am awaiting samples to install on a couple of Vanagons
for the ultimate in "moisture" tests.  Hopefully sometime this year I will
have them available and at a much better price than VW.

My $0.02 worth

Jim Thompson
84 Westy 2.1 * 62 Beetle * 90 Fox Wagon
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