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The weather stripping along part of the circumference of my side windows has become loose to the point that I can pull it out with ease. The rubber isn’t particularly dry, but it is quite dirty where it inserts around the window. The window has been leaking on the inside at an unacceptable pace, leaking both into the beauty ring and leaking where the beauty ring meets the van along the bottom (pictures below). The rubber isn't this loose around the whole circumference, just the side toward the rear of the van mostly.
Any suggestions on how I might reseal the window and correct the leak? Do you think it would be good enough to pull out the loose weatherstripping, clean it, squirt some sealant in the gap and press the rubber back in? I can't imagine regular weatherstripping sealant would work well here, so maybe use a lap sealant or some of the Proflex RV Sealant I recently bought.
Look how I can pull the weather stripping right out.
Here is the water coming in where the beauty ring meets the van body.
Last edited by IsaacK; Aug 4, 2018 at 1:51 PM.
Reason: More info, moved text above photos.
Overhauling the windows would really be my preference, as it would solve all potential leaks and hopefully be good for many years to come. However, I'm having difficulty finding info on how to replace the seal around the glass inside the beauty(?) ring. If my understanding is correct, there is an exterior ring and an interior beauty ring, and the glass and exterior ring are usually removed/installed as a unit. There is plenty of information on the internet about replacing the glass and ring together, but I'm not sure how to go about replacing the seal that's at fault here.
Do you know of any videos/links that show/explain what I need to do here?
I ask because the original installer might have spare gaskets or suggestions on how to repair.
Personally, I would take this job to an auto glass specialist. Having never replaced auto windows before, I'm just not comfortable doing it, and I really hate water leaks. If I screw it up, I would have to redo it, and I don't have that kind of patience.
A professional has plenty of experience, the right equipment, does it in a fraction of the time I would, and the the service is guaranteed. In my experience, window work is usually pretty affordable.
My guess is the odd/leaking one is the original one, just based on that the others aren't leaking. I'd measure and shop online for a replacement. Probably easier than finding new rubber.
I was worried it might come down to this. I'll try whatever home remedies I can cook up. If they fail, I suppose getting help from a professional wouldn't be the most degrading thing I've done.
For me, it's age related. At 61, I have better things to do than to mess with something that may work, or that's too time consuming. I used to change my own oil. Not any more.
But more to your issue. By tracking down a new window, you might find an exact match.
Leak - Side Window’s Weatherstripping Loose
