Leaking Window

[petenkaz]

Hi all
Cyclone Debbie exposed a problem I've got with my 08 Beach. The rear drivers side middle window (slider) has a leak. I've seen a couple of youtube videos on how to fix, but wondering if anyone has any first hand experience on the matter? It all looks daunting, but I'd like to see if I can fix it myself!

[BrianJ]

I have an 06 beach and I suspect both side windows would leak in driving rain, but normally I don't have much of a problem. The rollers on mine have flat spots which makes them rough to open, and recently I scoured the internet for a replacement rubber seal and roller kit but came up blank. The windows sort of serve their purpose but I can't see how they would ever seal perfectly, they are a compromise.

But hey, don't you only get a Debbie up there every few years, the windows should be perfect the rest of the time.

I can't offer you any real help, but I am also looking for seals and roller replacement kits, I will be interested to see if anyone has found such a thing.

[petenkaz]

Thanks Brian, appears not just Debbie related, but id say been going on for some time. It's a pretty bad leak, just highlighted by an extreme weather event!

[BrianJ]

Is the rubber seal on the back of the moving glass still in place and make contact with the fixed glass when the window is closed. I have found that this seal on mine is still there but its shrunk or flattened a bit so it doesn't make a good seal. That's why I would like to get a new seal and roller kit.

[petenkaz]

I'll check. I note on Just Kampers there doesn't appear to be any seals VW T5 & T6 Glass :: Just Kampers Australia but the whole replacement window is relatively cheap, all things considered! eBay searches have also been fruitless.
Oh, and I will also get the joy of ferreting through behind my glovebox and into the air con ducting to replace my heater resistor now my latest eBay purchase has arrived. By all accounts a fun job!

BTW, I was wondering whether you still had your beach, hope it's going well!

[BrianJ]

Yes, still love it, done 236,000km and still runs the same as the day I bought it, maybe even better as it is almost run in now !

I do want it to survive another 10 years yet, with only replacing sundary items, hopefully the engine and gearbox will last 400-500k kms. I still don't add any oil between 15,000km services, maybe it uses about .5L /15000km, not bad at all.

What would I buy to replace it, the new engines aren't as good as the old 5 cylinder, and even if you could find a better van it would not have all the camping gear set up from new. Although I believe Mercedes is trying to provide such a van now, but probably at twice the price of the beach.

Its an unbeatable car.

[Bryn23]

Brian,

Hopefully you get another 236,000 out of it.

I saw the Kombi beach in the same colours as yours, maybe 10-11 years ago up at the dealership on the Sunny Coast and almost brought it.

We ended up getting a new SR5 Hilux instead for our travels, as the SWB, just wasn't going to work for us.

Finally ended up with a My17 LWB to convert, hopefully i get the a km you have without any issues..

better late than never.

[BrianJ]

The VW van is an amazingly comfortable, efficient and safe touring car, that's apart from supplying all your accommodation needs on the road even if a bit more compact than the usual 4 wheel caravan that most people use to travel this great land.

P.S. The short wheelbase is essential if you live in a unit building with a low entry and sharp bend into the underground carpark.

[Bryn23]

I have no issues at the moment getting into my apartment block in the city (2.25 mtr) with steep and corner entrance with my mid roof lwb model, although once i put the solar panels, heki skylight and the Seikel lift, it'll be staying in my industrial shed.

looking forwards to no setting up tents, nor towing a caravan through the hills

[petenkaz]

Ok so thanks to YouTube videos I hope that my leak has been fixed. I'd have tried it with a hose, but had already polished the car! Anyhow, that brings me to my next job, replacing the door card, or trim whatever it's called as mine has warped. Any ideas on replacements? Just Kampers sells the full interior set, but seems like a waste as I only need the one.