Got a leak, 98 SE...is there sealant behind the side glass retainer? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

alkemyst · 03-02-2010, 10:10 AM

I picked up some new weatherstripping and that has everything much quieter and drip free...however it looks like water is coming down behind the retainer (on page BT-25 of the 1998 FSM)...before I take this all apart is there a sealant supposed to be behind it? If so what do you use? I didn't see anything in the manual.

It's collecting right where the top of the rear interior trim meets the windshield pillar trim...Almost right in the corner of that retainer.

Looking at the passenger side from the driver's side:

projectRDM · 03-02-2010, 12:34 PM

There is no chemical or applied sealant, the rubber weatherstip just snaps in place into the retainer.

alkemyst · 03-02-2010, 01:30 PM

What about the body and the retainer? That's where I am not sure...I don't know how water is getting behind it. My body is clean, I am hoping their isn't a rust spot hidden up there.

alkemyst · 03-03-2010, 11:04 AM

I think I may have found what's going on...looks like the window guys filled that channel between the retainer and the front edge of the 1/4 glass with sealant.

I believe this is a roof drain...it looks like the water was backing up and flowing into where the retainer's split between the upright and the roofline is.

I just cleaned it out on my break and put a smidge of RTV on the seam. Hopefully that does it.

alkemyst · 04-02-2010, 06:30 PM

update: that fixed this leak, but the window still leaks in back. The water came forward whenever I came to a stop I found out.

The last set of window guys really didn't handle this well. I thought I had a problem when there was a 3/16" gap between the front drip rail and the rear gasket. Then they blamed it on old seals. I just replaced them all. Still a leak...at first because they filled the drain channel it was backing up and coming through the seam of the weatherstrip retainer for the door glass. I really thought I fixed it when I just pulled out that sealer.

My visible drips to the passenger window were gone, but my rear carpet still got wet.

Just had it redone by my first guy. They really messed it up.

The window fits much better to the body and I have high hopes my water problems are solved.

If not I need to buy a $400 window and clean and repaint the surface.

03-02-2010, 10:10 AM	#1
alkemyst Zilvia Addict Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Florida Age: 53 Posts: 868 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Got a leak, 98 SE...is there sealant behind the side glass retainer? I picked up some new weatherstripping and that has everything much quieter and drip free...however it looks like water is coming down behind the retainer (on page BT-25 of the 1998 FSM)...before I take this all apart is there a sealant supposed to be behind it? If so what do you use? I didn't see anything in the manual. It's collecting right where the top of the rear interior trim meets the windshield pillar trim...Almost right in the corner of that retainer. Looking at the passenger side from the driver's side: __________________ Now my Kensai, I curse you to be a Ronin and with the my remaining spirit I, beseech Chimata-No-Kami, to have you wander through time and distance lands, seeking a new master.

03-02-2010, 12:34 PM	#2
projectRDM Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Atlanta Age: 51 Posts: 13,812 Trader Rating: (12) Feedback Score: 12 reviews	There is no chemical or applied sealant, the rubber weatherstip just snaps in place into the retainer. __________________ FORMERLY R240NA Learn what's really going on and protect your assets now before they're gone forever: www.paypalsucks.com

03-02-2010, 01:30 PM	#3
alkemyst Zilvia Addict Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Florida Age: 53 Posts: 868 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	What about the body and the retainer? That's where I am not sure...I don't know how water is getting behind it. My body is clean, I am hoping their isn't a rust spot hidden up there. __________________ Now my Kensai, I curse you to be a Ronin and with the my remaining spirit I, beseech Chimata-No-Kami, to have you wander through time and distance lands, seeking a new master.

03-03-2010, 11:04 AM	#4
alkemyst Zilvia Addict Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Florida Age: 53 Posts: 868 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I think I may have found what's going on...looks like the window guys filled that channel between the retainer and the front edge of the 1/4 glass with sealant. I believe this is a roof drain...it looks like the water was backing up and flowing into where the retainer's split between the upright and the roofline is. I just cleaned it out on my break and put a smidge of RTV on the seam. Hopefully that does it. __________________ Now my Kensai, I curse you to be a Ronin and with the my remaining spirit I, beseech Chimata-No-Kami, to have you wander through time and distance lands, seeking a new master.

04-02-2010, 06:30 PM	#5
alkemyst Zilvia Addict Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Florida Age: 53 Posts: 868 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	update: that fixed this leak, but the window still leaks in back. The water came forward whenever I came to a stop I found out. The last set of window guys really didn't handle this well. I thought I had a problem when there was a 3/16" gap between the front drip rail and the rear gasket. Then they blamed it on old seals. I just replaced them all. Still a leak...at first because they filled the drain channel it was backing up and coming through the seam of the weatherstrip retainer for the door glass. I really thought I fixed it when I just pulled out that sealer. My visible drips to the passenger window were gone, but my rear carpet still got wet. Just had it redone by my first guy. They really messed it up. The window fits much better to the body and I have high hopes my water problems are solved. If not I need to buy a $400 window and clean and repaint the surface. __________________ Now my Kensai, I curse you to be a Ronin and with the my remaining spirit I, beseech Chimata-No-Kami, to have you wander through time and distance lands, seeking a new master.