Hi Rod thanks for the fix . I sealed the plastic as you show in your photos and I've just tested it with water and all dry inside and I can see the water running out where it should . Saved a lot of time and money .

Drew

 

As a quick catch up...

My van is an early 2014 model built Aug/Sept 2013, I bought it 'new' ex-dealer in Feb 2014.

By late Spring both sliding windows had been replaced complete under warranty as they both leaked.

{During Spring & early Summer 2014 I was converting it to a camper and getting away into France asap}

I reported to my Van Centre that the left window still leaked but it would be Autumn before I could get the van in to have it changed due to extended European holidays.

Late Autumn VW Technical informed my Van Centre that a new window was available and should be fitted to my van. However a total c**k-up ended up with a left window for a LHD (panel not sliding door) van being fitted!!! The window is the same size but the rear black graphic is not wide enough to hide the metal door frame.

Recently (Jan 2015) I have managed to get the van into the Van Centre for the correct new version of the left sliding window complete to be fitted. The thought was to fit the right one as well but when I dismantled the camper furniture there was no sign of a leak so I asked them to leave it alone.

So up to date I have the latest version of window assembly fitted to the left (sliding door) side and the previous version on the right side. When we have had enough rain to prove the point I'll report back.

Rod

 

I've had issues with mine too and have had both window and mechanisms replaced last week!

My replacement windows seem different? Is it right that the sliding square bit of the window is lighter than all the other part of the window?

 

Your new sliding sections are just standard VW dark green glass. They wont have tinted them to match your existing glass. Your current windows have an aftermarket tint film applied to them. It wont be difficult to get them retinted.....but best wait til VW have fixed it first.

 

Do I understand that you mean the tint is not as dark in the sliding portion?

If so I will check mine tomorrow but I haven't noticed any difference in mine.


Rod

 

Yes, there is a clear difference in the tint. If you look form the outside the square section is much lighter than the rest of the window.

 

Take it back to the dealers it's not correct.

Are you sure they change the whole window or just fitted a different sliding section?

Rod

 

It's going back on Tuesday because they cocked up my bumper DRL's!!!

I will find out what they did then and update this thread.

 

I didn't realise that VW had only replaced the sliding mechanism and the smaller bit of glass.

When I picked it up they told me that they had replaced the whole thing. S0 I was worried that they had done something else wrong and put 2 different types of glass in.

Ed has seen the van and kindly pointed out that my windows have indeed been after market tinted. It looks like I will just need to go and get the smaller section of the window re-tinted again.

If they have replaced my sliding mechanism with the new 2015 mechanism, I can confirm that it looks identical to the previous model. However I'm not 100% sure this is what they have done.....because it doesn't seem like Heritage VW Bristol exactly know what they are doing.

 

No they haven't changed the part of the sliding mechanism that leaks as that is bonded to the main glass and is not changeable without changing the complete window. However there is a sequence of adjustments and changes that dealers have to go through before changing the whole window. If they don't follow that procedure then VW will not foot the bill for the warranty work so don't shout too loudly if that is what they are doing.

If you are having the work done under warranty you should be able to claim for the re-tinting of the windows in just the same way as if you had commercial sign writing on them. I believe a the dealers have a fund that allows for such costs but I guess this will not apply if you are outside the warranty period.

Rod

 

I have now had a new middle section put in my windows. They leaked so they then cut the old windows out and replaced them with the new ones. Whilst doing this VW Heritage Bristol managed to cut bits out of my metal trim and scratch my paintwork........& guess what, my new windows still leak!!

I'm seriously contemplating taking this leaking window issue to BBC Watchdog and was wondering how many people would be willing to at least say they have had an issue with their windows?

I feel VWCV need to get this sorted.

On a separate note I now need to get VW Heritage to compensate me for cutting holes in my metal, scratching my paint work and generally making my van worse over the 8-9 days they've had it in the workshop!! Anyone got any advice or ideas of what I should go for?

 

Maybe care with words 'gmaster' VW Heritage are an independent VW parts supplier, Heritage Volkswagen are a franchised VW dealer. Which do you mean?

Maybe if you have it wrong a correction on here would clear you from maligning the wrong company!

My van centre don't trust their own technicians with window changing, they call in an independent vehicle window specialist and from experience he isn't perfect either!

Rod

 

Good point Rod.....I didn't even realise.

I'm having all my issues with Heritage Van Centre of Bristol. Also known as Heritage Automotive.

Sorry if I have put that across incorrectly to anyone.

 

I had my side windows fully replaced via VW centre St Ives, Cambs and they used Autoglass specialists. Can't see any marks on mine and no leaks so far, so I'm very happy. Looks like your dealer may have tried to do the job themselves and struggled to do it properly.
I would get the work independently inspected and then make a claim against the dealer, but make sure you get VW Customer care involved too and use plenty of photographic evidence!

 

They said they used an outside contractor fro the window fitting etc. Exactly as they said about the painting of my bumper DRL's. The bumper DRL's came back patchy and my windows have been done very poorly.

It's about time they found some decent contractors! The thing is I can only raise the issue with VW as I don't choose who they decide to work with. When things go wrong they don't want to take any of the blame and simply keep saying "we'll have to talk to the contractor to see their side of the story"??

 

don't stand for it, the issue with the contractors work is not your problem, VW will have to rectify any faulty workmanship!

 

This all started for me in January. I have now had 3 window repairs and 2 x completely new sets of windows including the new 2015 windows, which are also leaking!!!!

I have had the inside paint scratched off from about 30% of both inside metal edges and the outsides of both doors under the windows have been scratched. The worst "structural damage" was a piece of metal cut out of the window trim whilst they cheese wired out the old windows (underneath the lower plastic trim). They actually tried to cover this up and didn't even attempt repair or treat it!! They simply put the plastic trim back on top and hoped I would never check!!!

On yet another visit to the garage they tried to repair the paintwork and missing piece of metal, but actually forgot to repair the other side?? Whilst repairing the outsides they have put hologram marks on both sliding doors and managed to lift the lacquer on the other side letting water underneath. They then tried to polish this out, yet again leaving water trapped under the lacquer and hologram marks on top the lacquer.

To add to this they have also dented the inside of my door....which also now has a new rattle and have also caused multiple other damages to the van in the process.

Other issues are things such as white water marks all over the paintwork (from water testing powder being baked onto the van), 4 x scratches they caused to my bumper (now repaired), roof lining now falling down all the time, very small dents in the rear sliding door trim cover.......the list goes on!!!

I raised the case to VWCV but they weren't much help at all. Saying that I am contractually bound with Heritage, not VW!

I then tried to reason with Heritage, but because I had raised it to the head of VWCV (Carl Zu Donah) they then tried to deny some of the damage to cover their back!!!......even though they had already admitted to causing the damage when I showed them it.

At one point VWCV did say they were going to take it to AJ Crush in Dover to get the repairs & damages rectified, but then AJ Crush refused the work saying that because they know Heritage well, they feel it would be disrespectful to them if they repaired their work and then charged them for it!!

I am now in a situation where my van is in a terrible state. Heritage have had it for 4 weeks in total, spread over 4 visits.

I have a lot going on in my personal life (which they are aware of) and have pushed me into a corner where the only option I have been given is to give it back the Heritage to give them yet another go at the repairs.

I can categorically say that this has been the worst customer experience of my life!

 

It's clear that Heritage have not satisfactorily resolved the faults in workmanship.to your van, so I think the best option would be to seek legal redress. Try CAB and get some advice. You could also try Honest John! I would certainly write a letter to Heritage outlining all the issues, what you expect and giving them 28 days to rectify the faults If you can get an independent inspection on the work done and any photographic evidence and likely cost to rectify all the problems this will help with making a claim against them. Good luck

 

Clearly a design fault. Therefore is a warranty relevant? After all its not broke perse it's just a scrappy design

 

I've just checked the drainage holes in the bottom channels of the sliding part. Both were blocked causing water to leak into the section where my ex Shuttle has the sun blinds. This explains the patchy stains on the blinds.

I tried clearing the drain holes with a piece of wire with no luck so got my compressor out and attached a long thin nozzle to the air gun. When I blew air through the holes, loads of muck and water came out of the external drain channel (it comes out between the bottom of the glass and the metalwork on the outside of the window, just under the drain hole).

Now when water gets in the channel it just drains outside.

If you don't have access to a compressor, you could try one of those ait dusters that you buy to clean the insides of PC's etc. A lot of them come with a thin plastic tube which would be ideal. T:

 

I think that's more to do with the guys who fit the aftermarket one's are pretty good at their game and don't want people constantly coming back with leaks, hence make sure they get it right the first time. Not being nasty, but I'm betting the VW techs messing with them in Van centres don't do it very often so aren't really experts in it.

 

That a really good point. The last thing you'd want is to have to redo your work, especially if you're a small independent.

 

I know this is an old thread but my Shuttle windows have been leaking since the day I got it (2nd hand). For the life of me, I can't figure out how to remove the slider. Anybody got any tips?

 

Hello all, we have a 63 plate kombi with twin sliding doors, both windows leaked a bit, more so on the drivers side, but I think this was just due to our parking space leaning that way. Anyway we took it to the main dealers and they used a product called Krytox lubricant, made by DuPont I believe, the technician told me it's normally used for leaks/warranty on Eos's, he said he cleans all the seal and glass then lubricates the seal with the Krytox. Through all the rain we have had recently, we have not had a single drip get through.

 

Krytox is about 30 quid a bottle but if it works...I used Gummi Pfledge on ours and it's worked so far. That's 6 quid a bottle

That said, if it fails I'll be trying the good stuff.

 

There can be no argument that both of the above resolve part of the problem.

However this is not the whole problem, there will always be occasions when water passes the rubber window seals. It is the management of that leakage past the seals that is the problem. This leakage should gather in the lower guide track and escape to the outside of the vehicle via either or both of the drain holes. Unfortunately the construction of the drain channels leaves much to be desired (designed) as it is made from two pieces which are often not correctly joined thus allowing water to run inside the vehicle rather than outside. There are also occasions when the holes become blocked and then they are not easily cleaned out.

It's a great pity that so many dealers don't understand how this works or does not as the case may be. Most are happy to clean up the seals and place all the blame on that area instead of investigating the rest of the fault.

To see what is happening in the above instance remove the lower cover from the window slide and pour water into the front drain hole. If you want to check the rear hole which is in the centre of the runner you will have to remove the movable glass portion of the window as the hole is always hidden from view. The ideal funnel to induce water to a drain hole is the nozzle from a sealant tube.

Rod

 

Really disappointed with mine, passenger one I've alreAdy stripped and greased and it's leaking again, it's wrecked my door card. Soaking at the moment

 

Check the drain holes / channels, if the water can't get out it will run inside.

Water poured out of mine from the plastic part just above my finger in this picture. Don't forget there is another drain in the centre of the window slide that you can' see from above.

Rod

 

Thanks Rod, I need to sort it soon as we've had sooo much rain, Reimo roof also leaking....ahhhh

 

Hi Rod,
I'm afraid its a question concerning the leaking window again. I realise you must be sick to death with all the treads you have dealt with on the subject, but could I ask for your patience just a little longer. I have followed your instructions on finding and cleaning out the two drain holes in the track of the sliding window. And I don't have any leaks from the two plastic parts in the trim below the window. I find that the water on the floor stems from the channel overflowing when rain fills the track; an amount is drained off but the remainder flows towards the second drain hole, but builds up before reaching it. I have experimented with this and pored a little water into the first drain hole, the excess ran down the track towards the second drain hole. From there it overflowed and dripped down on to the floor below. I had removed the window to make sure the centre drain hole is exposed for cleaning which I did earlier on. I did notice when the window is removed there is a little bend and lip before it reaches the second hole, and the second part of the track. Is this combination of bend and lip the cause of this over flow situation.

My van is parked slightly up hill, will this cause the water to flow to fast to allow the first hole to deal with the water removal? Or is it like you said in one of your threads, that ideally water should not be getting to the tracks if the seal is sound on the window. If not does it mean that water is entering in such an amount that the tracks can not cope. If so, do you think a new seal around the sliding window would help? Do you have any idea where I could get one. Your help on this subject would be very welcome and much appreciated.:ILU:

Regards

denny b
denny.wb@talktalk.net
Regards