Sliding-window leak

[Ruby16]

Our T6 Kombi N/S sliding window leaked after 6 months, the dealer replaced it. They loaned us a brand new one whilst they carried out the work, both sides leaked!
The replacement hasn't leaked since, however after warranty ran out the O/S window started to leak. After careful examination I decided to take out the slider glass, to see where the drain holes were. There's actually 3 of them, 2 slots and one circular hole which you can actually see without removing the glass as it is at the front end of the plastic trim.
To stop the leak I did the following: Remove the glass (very carefully), clean all of the rubber seals with soapy water. Using a very thin piece of plastic (not metal as you can scratch the paintwork) clear out the 2 slots as they get clogged with debris preventing any water that gets in through the seals from draining out. Next use a syringe filled with water to purge the round hole in the drainage channel. You will be surprised how much debris comes out! Carefully replace the glass and the jobs done. This should last at least 2 years.
One other thing, if you can park so that the van is nose down any leaks will drain down the plastic trim to the circular hole. If you park nose up water doesn't run uphill.
Hope this helps.

 

[Gd6.1]

It’s a huge issue and it always has been, why VW can’t address it I’ve no idea, on the basis mine never got opened I went for solid glass panels and binned the oem leaking windows, VW would never have solved the issue from stories in heard, so it was cheaper for me to go the route I did!

I’ll take it in once to see what they do. If all fails which I’m thinking it’s going too I’ll bite the bullet and fit solid windows. I don’t open mine.
Any recommendations and companies who you can trust to fit them? I’m in South Wales

 

[DWS]

I found a local chap who does van VW camper conversions and the glass he supplied but I think was from camper glass / transporter hq - didn’t cost much to have him swap them out

 

[Split66]

I’ve had the vehicle 8 days!!
Only 8 months old with 6k on the clock. I knew it would happen but didn’t expect it this quick. Booked in with my VW dealer, see what they got to say about it.

I’m on my second set of sliding windows, both sides. T6.1 new design. Still no cure. The water travels down the small gap where the rail is bonded to the glass and almost always happens when the van is parked facing uphill.
So looking at your photos it is identical to what I am seeing on my van.

 

[Okiedokie]

I'm now a member of the leaky window club. I don't use the windows (open and close etc). And quite a leak when it rains. The 'drain holes' are clear.. just a really bad window design (2015 vw 5.1). Can anyone recommend a good place for just tinted solid non-opening windows!

 

[ChestnutBrown]

My sliding windows were actually sealed up by the previous owner. They alleged that they didn’t know they were, as said he never used them, but there were other reasons why I didn’t believe him but we won’t go into that.

Anyway, I was all set to get them replaced with either Jon opening windows or safari ones, but the sealed up standard ones have not leaked whatsoever.

Just mentioning in case sealing them up might be a cheaper alternative option for you if you don’t want the old ones cut out.

 

[Okiedokie]

My sliding windows were actually sealed up by the previous owner. They alleged that they didn’t know they were, as said he never used them, but there were other reasons why I didn’t believe him but we won’t go into that.

Anyway, I was all set to get them replaced with either Jon opening windows or safari ones, but the sealed up standard ones have not leaked whatsoever.

Just mentioning in case sealing them up might be a cheaper alternative option for you if you don’t want the old ones cut out.

What would be the best product to seal them with? I've stopped the leak from the outside temporarily with some waterproof tape (thankfully tape that isn't doing damage to the paint or windows etc). Just wondering what product I should carefully use as a bead/seal around the window seal exterior?

 

[DaveF]

What would be the best product to seal them with? I've stopped the leak from the outside temporarily with some waterproof tape (thankfully tape that isn't doing damage to the paint or windows etc). Just wondering what product I should carefully use as a bead/seal around the window seal exterior?

My sliding window was leaking around the window insert itself and not around the main glass. Black gorilla tape stopped it completely but in the end I've had both sliding windows replaced with solid ones. I used a company called C & P Windows from Washington, Tyne and Wear and they fitted tinted glass for £ 165.00 per side.

They're in, look ace and all my worries (at least about the window leaks!) have gone

 

[ChestnutBrown]

What would be the best product to seal them with? I've stopped the leak from the outside temporarily with some waterproof tape (thankfully tape that isn't doing damage to the paint or windows etc). Just wondering what product I should carefully use as a bead/seal around the window seal exterior?

Mine is done around the inserts too, with what looks the same type of adhesive/sealant that they use to bond the glass to the van.

 

[Okiedokie]

Mine is done around the inserts too, with what looks the same type of adhesive/sealant that they use to bond the glass to the van.

I'll look at grabbing some windscreen bonding adhesive/sealant in black and seeing if I can just seal everything in. Either that or 2x full privacy glass. Thank you!

 

[DaveF]

Mine is done around the inserts too, with what looks the same type of adhesive/sealant that they use to bond the glass to the van.

That was my original plan, but I taped just the window insert first as an experiment. It worked, so I was going to seal them shut....but in the end I went for a full replacement to save the future hassle (and I also didn't want to sell the van later with sealed-up windows)

 

[ChestnutBrown]

I'll look at grabbing some windscreen bonding adhesive/sealant in black and seeing if I can just seal everything in. Either that or 2x full privacy glass. Thank you!

Sorry I can’t guide on how it was done, as I didn’t do it, but it’s been dry for the almost 1 year since I got the van.

 

[ChestnutBrown]

That was my original plan, but I taped just the window insert first as an experiment. It worked, so I was going to seal them shut....but in the end I went for a full replacement to save the future hassle (and I also didn't want to sell the van later with sealed-up windows)

Makes total sense. I planned to get mine replaced as soon as I got it but my family reckon they don’t see the need for opening windows and I have had other stuff to spend the money on first. Plus the anxiety of damage whilst removing and refitting just to still only have windows that aren’t leaking, if you get what I mean.

Unlike the last guy, if I ever have to sell the van, I will get upfront about it if I still haven’t replaced them. This is hopefully a very long term Van, so shouldn’t have to worry.