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Hi guys,
I get a leak that appears to come from the upper trim molding of the tailgate glass of my 940 SW.
My question is the following:
Is the trim molding bad or has it something to do with the butyl tape?
The reason why I am asking is because, for instance, the windscreen trim molding has no function in preventing leaks, so I was wondering if this is also the case for the rear glass??
The P/N I am referring to is: 1369284
Thank you for your advice.
Alex
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Dear Metallo,
Hope you're well. I doubt that the trim molding has anything to do with the leak. The molding is mounted on plastic clips, which are attached to the glass. The glass is adhered to the metal with a butyl rubber caulk. Unless there is corrosion of the steel, water is simply not likely to penetrate around the glass.
Do you see streaks on the inside of the window, which streaks originate where the glass ends and the rubber gasket begins?
I do not recall any reports of leaks around the rear window glass. Is the hatch gasket in good shape, i.e., free of rips/tears? A damaged gasket could admit water.
Is the area behind the ventilation grille - visisble when the hatch is opened - clear of debris, i.e., tree leaves, pine needles, etc. The ends of this area allow water from the roof to drain down the sides of the hatch. If this behind-the-grille area is filled with debris, water could accumulate and enter the car if there's a gasket tear.
In short, inspect closely the top of the hatch. That's likely the source of the problem. If, however, water definitely enters around the rear window itself, take the car to glass specialist. Sealing a window requires the right materials and the right methods.
Hope this helps.
Yours faithfully,
Spook
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Hi Spook,
Just an update regarding the water leak of my rear window.
This morning I went to the car wash and noticed the water was leaking in abundantly from the top, it was leaking in between the glass and the butyl sealing for a length of approx two feet.
I went straight to the auto glass company and when they put some pressure from the inner of the glass they noticed that the glass is no longer sealed in that area.
As a result, the fix is to remove the glass, clean and re-seal it.
Tomorrow morning I have an appointment.
The only thing that concerns me a lot, is the following:
The employer told me that in case the glass breaks while they are removing it, they are not liable.
This is rare, but they said that since it is a 20 years old thermal glass, sometimes it happens.
The company is a reputable one, it is chain of shops all over Canada.
I was caught by surprise, but the gentleman said that any glass or body shop apply the same rule.
This is hard for me to justify, I am not sure if this is a sort of national legislation or what, but I got something similar when I went to the optometrist and I gave them my glasses to change the lenses, they clearly stated that if the lab would break the frame during the process, the lab would not be liable.
I am not sure whether this is a Canadian thing only or not, do you know if this is the same in the US?
I am crossing my fingers.
Alex
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Dear Metallo,
Hope you're well. Tempered glass - the sort used in cars, entry/exit doors; bath/shower doors, etc. - indeed can shatter if struck "the wrong way". In this case, be comforted that at least replacements are available from Volvo, for US$300-400.
That said, it would be well if the window were allowed to come slowly up to workshop temperature, before the start of work. Allowing the window to warm-up slowly reduces thermal stress.
Further, they should use a piece of thin braided steel cable (1.5mm) to cut the remaining butyl sealant. This cutting wire is inserted bewteen the glass and the steel frame. The cutting wire is then pulled sideways. This method imposes little stress on the glass, as the cutting wire has minimal contact with the glass.
As the firm is a "reputable one", I reasonably suppose they won't use a pry bar to separate the glass from the steel frame. If they tell you that's how they do it, find another shop. Prying against tempered glass imposes a lot of stress and so is not to be done.
It is important that the every speck of old sealant be removed from the glass and from the steel frame, so that a good new bond can be achieved.
I have no idea what are auto glass industry standard practices, either in the US or in Canada. I've never needed to have a windshield or rear window replace on my 940s.
Hope this helps.
Yours faithfully,
Spook
Yours faithfully,
Spook
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Hi Spook,
The rear window has been removed/replaced without any damage.
They have used polyurethane for the sealing.
I have no idea what they used to remove the glass, but I suspect a pry bar as I found a dent on the body, on the right of the top trim, which seems to come from something flat that slipped out to whoever was working on my car.
It was deep in the metal so I had to put some primer and tomorrow I will use the touch-up paint pen to color it.
That is the reason why I hate to take my car to any shop, every time I do so, I get a scratch or something else.
Anyhow, I tested the new sealing, it's all good now.
Thank you for you advice, much appreciated.
Alex
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Dear Metallo,
Hope you're well. What sort of warranty - if any - was provided as to workmanship? As the rear window does not move, I'd have thought a "lifetime" warranty was proper. For, if all of the old sealant was removed - and if the proper new sealant was used - the job should be good for many years.
In any event, it is good to hear that no water gets around the newly-installed seal.
Yours faithfully,
Spook
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FYI, 940 tailgates are aluminum.
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Dear Onkel Udo II,
Hope you're well. You're 100% right: tailgates are aluminum!!! I learned that when I removed one from a salvage yard vehicle. I was surprised at how manageable it was.
Yours faithfully,
Spook
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Hi Spook,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this.
My car is very well maintained, I take care of it and the hatch is free by any debris, actually it is one of those areas that I clean consistently.
For years, when washing the car using the pressure washer, I always had a few drops on the interior of the glass.
A few days ago, it rained hard and once parked the car in the garage I noticed that the bottom of the boot was wet.
I removed the internal plastic between the top part of the glass and the metal and I could see two points where the water was still dripping.
I guess I will have to take the car to a glass specialist and have them to re-seal the whole glass.
Thanks for you advice!
Alex
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Dear Metallo,
Hope you're well. Glass specialists might be able to to remove enough of the factory-original sealant on the inside of the tailgate glass, so the tip of a new cartridge of sealant can be inserted. Injection of fresh sealant might spare the time and cost of removing the window entirely.
Removing the window entirely means removing every trace of the old sealant, before new sealant is applied. Getting surfaces surgically clean is the key to ensuring that new sealants bond and so last.
Hope this helps.
Yours faithfully,
Spook
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