Topic: Windscreen leak coming from overhead console (XJ)?? (Read 5774 times)

Brynjaminjones · « **on:** November 10, 2012, 03:48:04 PM »

The darn XJ has decided to start dripping water from the overhead console after sitting in heavy rain. When I get in after a lot of rain I often find a little water in the cup-holders, and I've realised it's coming from the sides of the screen with the compass etc on.

I assume this is coming from the windscreen?? Is there a simple solution??

Cheers!

daggie · « **Reply #1 on:** November 10, 2012, 04:06:22 PM »

silicone under the screen rubber
screen out and fit it proper

or rust

bgbazz · « **Reply #2 on:** November 10, 2012, 04:36:11 PM »

Get the screen out and clean/inspect the recess. If your screen has a rubber type surround, clean the grooves thoroughly before you put it back on. I'd go to a windscreen place and see if they could pop it in and out for you..might find one of the blokes would do a little "cash" job after work.

Bunging silicon around it is a bandade job, something you do just before you flog it to a pikey.

isle of man · « **Reply #3 on:** November 10, 2012, 05:32:00 PM »

Have you a roof antenna?

Brynjaminjones · « **Reply #4 on:** November 10, 2012, 05:59:35 PM »

Quote from: isle of man on November 10, 2012, 05:32:00 PM

Have you a roof antenna?

Nope, nothing on the roof except the factory roof rails, which come to think of it I did undo a while back to clean underneath.
Is it possible that water could be coming in at the front of the roof rails and somehow channeling across to the middle of the roof?

If it is definitely the windscreen, how much might it cost to get it taken out, cleaned out, and reseated??

Cheers guys

Panic mechanic! · « **Reply #5 on:** November 10, 2012, 06:17:07 PM »

screen is bonded in so its not easy to take out,its more likely to be ingress via the roof rails as you have disturbed them

The Smiths · « **Reply #6 on:** November 10, 2012, 06:34:43 PM »

Quote from: Brynjaminjones on November 10, 2012, 05:59:35 PM

If it is definitely the windscreen, how much might it cost to get it taken out, cleaned out, and reseated??

Cheers guys

If you are fully comp then crack the screen

Brynjaminjones · « **Reply #7 on:** November 10, 2012, 06:54:13 PM »

Quote from: Panic mechanic! on November 10, 2012, 06:17:07 PM

screen is bonded in so its not easy to take out,its more likely to be ingress via the roof rails as you have disturbed them

I like the sound of that.

I've just been up to have a looksee, and the roof rail right above the driver's seat was definitely looser than it should be.
I took the forward-most torx bolt out, and cleaned around it with a toothbrush. I then tightened it right up, but the plastic end cap thing still wasn't being held in place properly. I then found that the next bolt along was loose too.

All is tight now, so hopefully that might have been my problem. I inspected along the top of the windscreen inside, and there wasn't a trace of water, yet water was still dripping from the overhead console, and looking on Google, there is a crossmember in that area which water could easily be travelling across to the middle.

Fingers crossed that's all it was - I feel fairly hopeful

daggie · « **Reply #8 on:** November 10, 2012, 07:09:16 PM »

bgbazz · « **Reply #9 on:** November 11, 2012, 08:45:57 AM »

Fingers crossed mate.

Brynjaminjones · « **Reply #10 on:** November 11, 2012, 11:13:50 PM »

Muchos rain last night, no water in the Jeep, and it didn't pour on me as I went down the drive either. Looks like I may have fixed it

jay140285 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 12, 2012, 01:04:35 PM »

Excellent work.

bgbazz · « **Reply #12 on:** November 12, 2012, 02:20:10 PM »

Result!

Brynjaminjones · « **Reply #13 on:** May 14, 2013, 06:06:25 PM »

I thought I'd dig this up again, as I apparently hadn't managed to fix the leak.

The carpet was wet again this morning so I've just pulled it up.

I'll list the details, then hopefully someone can help me narrow it down:

Overhead console fills with water, then drips from the screen into the cup holders
Occasional drip from the edge of headliner, makes it look like it's coming from further up than the windscreen
Wet passenger carpet, with water dripping down the A-pillar, in front of the door, then into the footwell
Today, I realised that water is also coming in from the front of the passenger footwell. Under the carpet there's a kind of rubber mat on the sloping bit (where you put your feet), and underneath that there is evidence that water has been dripping down.

I'd been assuming for ages that it was the windscreen or the roof rails, but this water coming from the firewall is concerning me. Where could that be coming from - could it be a separate leak??

Bulldog67 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 14, 2013, 07:34:17 PM »

Missing grommet - search on jeep club US - happens a lot

And if its the windscreen again stop fuckin around and chuck a brick at it and get it swapped on insurance - it wont affect yor premium

bgbazz · « **Reply #15 on:** May 14, 2013, 07:36:37 PM »

Bryn..I can see this pissing you off big time. I'm not that familiar with your model, but do you have that narrow grill between the bottom of the windscreen and the bonnet/hood? If you do, there should be a drain hose on the extreme left and right sides which drain into the wheel arch or lower down..I've seen leaves and other crap block these, which leaves the water no place to get out..eventually fills the space and ends up inside. Both my Patrol and the KJ have this system and I have to keep a close eye on it.

Not suggesting that this is causing your problem, but something to chase up.

Brynjaminjones · « **Reply #16 on:** May 14, 2013, 09:42:30 PM »

Damn, I just wrote a proper reply then lost it!

Thanks guys - Bazz, yes it is really quite irritating! Also, I checked the cowl before, and nothing seemed to be wet or clogged under there, but I do keep my eye on it. BD, I think I've ruled out coming from the firewall as it's bone dry up there, and all the grommets seem to be in place. The drip coming from that direction doesn't seem to have any explanation!

I've once again ruled out everything but the roof rack and windscreen, sp I took the overhead console off and the water appears to be coming in from the front of the headliner (top of windscreen), and I guess it must be travelling across then down the A-pillar.
I sat in the rain for about half an hour (!) watching it, and that makes sense, as the floor didn't start to get wet for quite a while after it started dripping from the roof.

I would claim the windscreen on insurance, but I'm only 3rd party so that's not an option

Is there anywhere that'll pull out the windscreen without breaking it?? I'm very low on money at the moment, and I'd rather not ask my parents to lend to me!
If I do have to get a new windscreen, is there anywhere that sells official Chrysler/Jeep ones? Don't laugh, but I'm a bit fussy about that stuff and would like it to look like the original one, with the same logos etc!

Oops, I seem to be blathering on a bit tonight

bgbazz · « **Reply #17 on:** May 15, 2013, 06:37:10 AM »

To try and isolate the source I'd run a strip of duct tape across the top of the windscreen, from one side to the other. Probably an inch and a half or two inches wide half on the body and half on the glass. If you stick it down well, no water will get under it. If you use black tape it won't stand out and you can leave there a couple of days while you check for further leaks. Just be careful taking it off!

The Smiths · « **Reply #18 on:** May 15, 2013, 08:59:52 AM »

as for the fire wall one - I found a leak coming in around the foam bung that seals the heater box as it goes through.

I tried sealing it from inside, but did not stop (I had pressure sprayer spraying to find out where leak was around screen, down inside engine bay etc) - in the end I used some expanding foam inside engine bay - got it down there by using some 15mm pipe as a nozzle extension. Thats stopped that one, but that was not only one.

JamesH · « **Reply #19 on:** May 15, 2013, 11:28:06 AM »

Quote from: The Smiths on May 15, 2013, 08:59:52 AM

as for the fire wall one - I found a leak coming in around the foam bung that seals the heater box as it goes through.

I tried sealing it from inside, but did not stop (I had pressure sprayer spraying to find out where leak was around screen, down inside engine bay etc) - in the end I used some expanding foam inside engine bay - got it down there by using some 15mm pipe as a nozzle extension. Thats stopped that one, but that was not only one.

Did you have to take the dash out to see that one or was it visible looking up from the footwell. My Dad's is leaking like a good'un into the passenger footwell.

The Smiths · « **Reply #20 on:** May 15, 2013, 11:13:43 PM »

from the inside, carpets out and craning neck and hand up to it - also check to see if the heater box has been kicked and cracked near the flange - had that before with someone with size 13's, but a good sealant sorted it straight away

lwbcj6 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 16, 2013, 12:09:36 AM »

If you have access to an air line, the easiest way to rule out a bonded windscreen leak is to use water and washing up liquid whipped up into a foam. Apply the foam to the outside edge of the windscreen and trim, then run air slowly along the inside edge of the windscreen whilst watching the outside (You might need another person to help unless you can reach inside) even a tiny pinhole in the bond will cause the foam on the outside to bubble.
If it is the screen sometimes the bond can be backfilled either from inside or sometimes the outside if the trim permits.
If it turns out the screen needs to come out it shouldnt be too much of a problem when i used to do them it was about £35+ the vat for a cut and rebond ( It may have gone up a little since ) and they will only do it at your own risk.

Brynjaminjones · « **Reply #22 on:** May 16, 2013, 12:26:58 AM »

Cheers for that

I'm becoming even more sure that it's the windscreen now, as I've noticed there's a whistle that seems to be coming from about the same place as my leak at high speed!

You're in Plymouth aren't you? Do you know of any good places to get it taken out and put back? Am I right in thinking that I should avoid the big chain places?

lwbcj6 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 16, 2013, 03:14:34 PM »

Hi Brynn
I dont know which is easiest for you but there is a national-mobile windscreens at redruth, st austell (01726 72232) Bob or plymouth (01752 268282) Steve.
I have spoken to both managers as they are old workmates of mine and should your screen need to come out both will do it for the old trade price of £35+ vat just tell them that
yours is the xj that Alan phoned them about.
Please remember though that no matter how careful someone is, a screen can break when being cut out so they only guarantee the refitted work.
On the plus side given that they are doing removes all the time for bodyshops 99% of screens come out in one piece and, should the worst happen they would both give you a good
discount on a new screen.
Cheers Alan

Brynjaminjones · « **Reply #24 on:** May 16, 2013, 03:33:27 PM »

Alan, that is massively appreciated! I shall be contacting them next week.
I owe you one!!

Author Topic: Windscreen leak coming from overhead console (XJ)?? (Read 5774 times)

Panic mechanic!

jay140285