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Topic: '93 Grandvilla windshield question: a few intermittent leaks when driving (Read 597 times) previous topic - next topic

'93 Grandvilla windshield question: a few intermittent leaks when driving

I found that when driving in heavy rain I've got a few spots that drip along the top of both windshield. It doesn't leak at all when parked, even in heavy rain.  A rough road brings more leaking than a smooth road. No leaks at all when parked, even in heavy rain. I'm guessing the glass is moving a bit in their frames.

The coach is in warm dry storage today so I can't  post a picture but I've also got a what I'd describe as a cloudy, 1.5 inch band of something all around both panes of glass. It does look like,some caulking has been done over the years. It looks really old.

The glass itself is in good shape, no cracks or chips.

What remedy do the experts suggest? I assume the glass has to be removed and that I need new rubber? Do I replace the glass at this time?

Thank you as always everyone. Safe travels, Merry Christmas and happy holidays.

Jeff
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: '93 Grandvilla windshield question: a few intermittent leaks when driving

Reply #1 –
Just for jollies, I'd check the markers for intrusion before tearing into the windshields. If you've a spotlight, that seal should be looked at, as well, same with the horns. Water has a way of starting in one place and coming out in another. As far as the "cloudy haze," that's the lamination starting to go, no big deal unless your vision is impaired  ;)  I don't know if new rubber is available, but would be interested, as well. Most "fixes" we've had done look terrible, but no leaks! One suggestion I had when one of our windshields needed replacing was, "throw a brick through the other, it's easier to replace both."
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: '93 Grandvilla windshield question: a few intermittent leaks when driving

Reply #2 –
Jeff I had a leak on mine across the front cap seam. It ran down to the windshield. I took it loose cleaned and caulked the seam.
If you need glass service call China Grove Coach and Glass they can take care of it. 704-857-8502
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: '93 Grandvilla windshield question: a few intermittent leaks when driving

Reply #3 –
Quote from: stump –
Jeff I had a leak on mine across the front cap seam. It ran down to the windshield. I took it loose cleaned and caulked the seam.

Yup, I had that on the Airstream; cleaned and caulked forever.  Would only leak when the coach was at a certain angle. I never found the point of intrusion. The PO had the same problem, but he went about a fix backwards: caulked the leak from the inside!
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: '93 Grandvilla windshield question: a few intermittent leaks when driving

Reply #4 –
Jeff the gasket is available call Mike at FOT.  Both my windshields have hazy areas around the edges too.  If you decide to replace the glass the best price I found for the replacement windshields was from Custom Glass Solutions in Ohio 419-855-7706 X-297 (Chuck).  The price quoted was $368.72 (plus crate and shipping) they only had the Drivers side panel and was out of stock on the passenger side and would require ordering 10 (which means I guess they would have to make them).  That wasn't happening.  So my windshields are staying hazy for now.  The prices for the windshield panels were all across the board $368.72 - 1k each.  Go figure. 
Woodie Lee Jr
93 U300. 40'
6V92ta

Re: '93 Grandvilla windshield question: a few intermittent leaks when driving

Reply #5 –
Ok I am going to revive this post.
Opinions and reasons  accepted;  should the windshield on a Grandvilla be caulked or glued into the gasket and/or should the gasket be caulked or glued to the cap? Or should everything be left to float?  ::)
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Gerry & Brenda
CHARLOTTE HARBOR, FL
1994 Grand Villa - # 4466
U300 Unihome - 6V92 Detroit
4 speed Allison - Jake Brake

Re: '93 Grandvilla windshield question: a few intermittent leaks when driving

Reply #6 –
In my case , it looks like one has been replaced. As far as I can tell the glass floats both in the outer and innner contact points.
  FWIW tho Some cars that have the same  "retainement" method and develop leaks,, the fix is to pump window weld onto the leak area and below .
 My guess is that the OE install floated . 

Re: '93 Grandvilla windshield question: a few intermittent leaks when driving

Reply #7 –
Seems there are 2 different gasket widths, the narrow one is about 1-1/4 over all in width, the wide one is about 1-3/4 wide. Looks to me the wide one with a "little" glue on the fiberglass groove works fine.
1988  40' Grand Villa Cat 3208t

Re: '93 Grandvilla windshield question: a few intermittent leaks when driving

Reply #8 –
Jeff...We had our windshields replaced as you know...and the drivers side( dead center horizontal ) has a "drip" only during highway speeds..... I'll fix when I get home.....:O)

Hans
Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)
 

Re: '93 Grandvilla windshield question: a few intermittent leaks when driving

Reply #9 –
Since you are taking opinions: I had heard or read that they are not sealed in. The glass shop I talked to locally said they will no longer install without sealing them in. I took upon myself to pull the lock cord out and open the seal up next to the glass to clean all the dirt out of the seal. I then used the windshield urethane adhesive and put a bead along the bottom of the seals and half way up the vertical seals. Made a huge difference, windows didn't creak going over undeveloped terrain. Maybe it was enough to just hold them some. Either way it was beneficial for me and seemed to work.

I'm sure there will be comments that not the way it's done, but that's my opinion, and I seen benefit, maybe my front cap on the grand villa was in good shape ( not delaminating). It was better for my situation.
John Hobbs
1995 U300 SE
M11 / Retarder
Private toilet
1 of 1
Wichita, Ks