Kombi sliding windows

[cowgoesmoo69]

Had a look today at fitting replacement Matthew Navis seals on what afaik are original Kombi sliding windows. Unfortunately they have clearly been leaking for a long time to the point that the corrosion has distorted the plastic and in places there's nothing left for the seal to seat into. Same on both sides so I've put them back and taped up the outside again for now.





Can you purchase replacements of the sliding bits? Anyone know any part numbers for these so I can have a look around?

I'm guessing another option is to replace the entire window with an aftermarket, but I don't know how easy that will be as I'm guessing the cut-out isn't going to be the same as for the original?

 

[DXX]

You can purchase complete windows from VW.
You can purchase second hand sliders but they may well be in the same condition as yours.
I had one leaking window and was going down the replacement seal route and like you I found that it was way too late to take action. You’ll probably find that corrosion has started to separate the bottom runner from the fixed glass as well.
While I had the slider out I cleaned it and fitted masking tape cut to a clean edge with a blade on both the slider and fixed glass, re-installed the window and sealed it up with a black polymer sealant / adhesive. The best hour I ever spent trying to fix a sliding window, no longer leaks or opens.

 

[cowgoesmoo69]

Yeah I’m guessing I’ll have to get complete replacements from VW. Joy. Just add it to the list of stuff to throw money at lol.

Get a van, they said. It’ll be fun, they said.

 

[DXX]

Yeah I’m guessing I’ll have to get complete replacements from VW. Joy. Just add it to the list of stuff to throw money at lol.

Get a van, they said. It’ll be fun, they said.

I wouldn’t, wait until you see the price! There are slightly better aftermarket sliders and there are aftermarket fixed windows.
With a bit of patience and an hour or two of your time you can have a fixed window for the price of some sealant and a roll of masking tape.
VW have not improved the window design at all, your case is not unusual, it will happen to all VW sliding windows including any new ones you purchase.

 

[cowgoesmoo69]

Am I better off just replacing them with aftermarket fixed windows then, and forgetting about having sliding windows?
I guess the pop top vents will provide a fair amount of ventilation anyway.

 

[DXX]

IMO yes, there is at least one very long discussion maybe 20 on the subject already on the Forum. Have a Search with sliding windows

 

[cowgoesmoo69]

I've contacted Kiravans and Camperglass about replacing OEM windows, see if they've got any advice about whether the existing cut-outs are suitable for use with their windows.

 

[MarkS25]

I’ve got 1 sliding part available here (passenger side) as I had to purchase a pair when I used these seals. I guess you could use it on either side but the markings would be upside down. Pretty much as new & no corrosion at all.
Here’s my thread about the MN seals: Original factory sliding windows.....anyone tried these seals?

 

[cowgoesmoo69]

I’ve got 1 sliding part available here (passenger side) as I had to purchase a pair when I used these seals. I guess you could use it on either side but the markings would be upside down. Pretty much as new & no corrosion at all.
Here’s my thread about the MN seals: Original factory sliding windows.....anyone tried these seals?

Thanks for the offer, I'll keep that in mind while deciding what to do.

 

[MarkS25]

Thanks for the offer, I'll keep that in mind while deciding what to do.

I got my pair from eBay. Seemed to be a few available

 

[cowgoesmoo69]

Kiravans came back with a very guarded response that wasn't much help. Camperglass came back and said their windows are based on the OEM windows so they don't imagine there will be any problems fitting theirs in place of the OEMs.