Hi there. Looked at a '93 240 wagon today with 148k miles that looks to be in pretty great shape. The sellers flagged the need for a new drivetrain bearing, which if I remember correctly from my previous 240 is an expensive fix, but they failed to mention in their ad the peeling gasket around the windshield.

Which is weird, because it's quite clearly peeling away. Funny thing, I have a '91 wagon that does not have this problem. But this is quite conspicuous, and there is some lite rust forming on the bottom left and right corners.

Am I right to think that this is potentially a mess to fix? I want a five year car and am accustomed to the maintenance, but from what I've read this seems like a rather serious problem that is often not well repaired.

(Brooklyn, NY)

You're right to be concerned about this.

The rubber trim is not part of the sealing system, it is just decorative cover of the gap between glass and metal. The sealing is done by the adhesive underneath between the glass and the window frame.

That the trim is peeling is probably a symptom of rust. If you see rust around the window, you can be sure there's more you can't see. And the damage this does inside the car -- the leaky windshield -- if left for some time can be rusted floors to electrical gremlins.

Only a body shop will be able to tell you how serious it is, if you're looking for an inspector.
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Art Benstein near Baltimore

"If you send me $20 I'll send you a how-to explaining how to make $20 from people on the internet." -JM

The "gasket" is likely just trim. The windshield is installed using either butyl or polyurethane to seal (and glue) the windshield in place. The trim is just there to cover the remaining pinch weld space. Often replacement windshields come with poor covering trim.

Myself, not being fussy, don't bother with the trim because it catches water and dirt underneath. Rather I fill the space with additional black polyurethane available at hardware stores. It's paintable.
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1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb, M46 trans, 3:31 dif, in Brampton, Ont.