leaky windshield

[Gilbert MacIntyre]

I have a 2000, SSe, 205, Chaparral. I noticed last year some water showing up on the carpet after a rain. Thought it might be a leaky camper cover and figured I'd treat it this year before it went in the water. <br /><br />Checking during a heavy rain I could see the water was running down the sides coming from under the windshield. On the outside of the WS is a foam strip that runs it's distance and is about 1/2 in. wide, it is at the bottom of the WS and above the bottom frame that is screwed the the hull. <br /><br />Just wondering if this is my problem and did anyone have similar problems and how would I go aout fixing it. Could I treat it with mink oil or something similar?<br />Gilbert.

 

[golfer]

Re: leaky windshield

I had a problem like that with a Rinker. It was coming under the center shield, because it was a walk thru windshield. The strip under the open-able shield was not in good health. If you have a walk thru shield, I bet you need to replace that seal. In the meantime, stick a towel all along the inside crevice of the shield, it will slow the flow. Took awhile to figure out where the water was coming from, I would be getting ready on a Saturday morning, get in the boat and the snap out cockpit carpet would be drenched. No sign of how the water came in...Then, stayed out overnight with the camper top in place, rainstorm came, the water entered under the middle shield, trailed along the crevice, out to the sides, over the bumps, through the woods, and to grandmothers house it went...Really the carpet is where it ended up, I got carried away for a second there...But, water can be very elusive, and if you don't catch it in the act, it dries up, and leaves no sign or clue, like a theif wiping off fingerprints.

 

[Gilbert MacIntyre]

Re: leaky windshield

Thanks Golfer. I thought that was my problem and I replaced the strip in question, but then like you I went out in the night with a flash light during a heavy rain and watched it coming from under the windshield in a couple of different areas. I Don't know the purpose of this foam strip, maybe to cut down on vibration in the windshield, but it did seem to be dried out a bit. I went with the mink oil yesterday and I'm crossing my fingers.<br />Gilbert.

 

[AndyL]

Re: leaky windshield

I am not sure if it is available where you are but I have had a lot of success sealing leaky windscreens with a product called... Captain Tollys creeping crack cure. It is a liquid that you weep into the seal and it tracks by capilliary action and seems to seal leaks by magic. I have tried silicones, sealastics and all other manner of cures but I have had most joy with this stuff. It is quite pricey for the amount you get but you don't need to use much.<br />Andy