Windscreen Leak?

[LRXD]

Greetings All,

In the 1997 Land Rover Discovery I noticed when it rains, there seems to be a leak where the cloth headliner meets the front passenger side interior windscreen (US) (Photo A). The water
begins to seap in at the very right (Start) and runs to the left towards the center of the vehicle and stops by the rear view mirror.

Photo B depicts the exterior of passenger side windscreen and rubber stripping surrounding the windscreen for your review. How long does the OEM factory installed rubber stripping around the windscreen usually last before deterioration? I gather there is some type of glue/caulking underneath the rubber holding in place the windscreen and enabling the vehicle to be water tight?

Photo C depicts the exterior of the passenger side window, where you can see the beginnings of some rust forming directly under the rain gutter. Even though the leak and rust are in close
proximity, I am not sure if one is causing the other? I am certainly concerned about both situtations. Please advise.

Thanks again for your guidance.

[me.guevara]

The Workshop Manual is pretty clear on the caulking that holds the windshield in - you need to use a piano wire to cut out the glass.

Make sure that it isn't water coming in from the Alpine windows or sun roofs - I have a hard time believing that water can get to the headliner from a front windshield leak (not saying it couldn't happen).

Just because misery loves sympathy, here's a picture of my windshield problem - very similar to yours, just that the water doesn't get to the headliner, it runs down the A-pillar and drips in the foot well.

[LRXD]

Hi me.guevara.

Thanks for the response. This model doesn't have any sun roofs. At this point, I guess I am looking for options on how to resolve the leak? I am also interested in learning more about your specific issue with the water running down the A-piller. Thanks.

LRXD

[me.guevara]

Without the benefit of looking at your rig (read: I'm guessing), the wet headliner is a classic symptom of an Alpine window leak - it runs along the inside of the roof forward and into the space you describe.

Take a close look at those little windows back there. You may see some signs of moisture along the way in the headliner or under the sound-deadening material in the cargo space. You may also have some rusting or bubbling around the rubber gasket. Here's a picture of what it may look like with all the trimming removed - you can see the "shelf" that runs all the way forward (that's how the water makes it to the front) and some water stains where it ran over and dripped into the cargo area.

As far as the front windshield leak, take a look/feel of the carpeting and foam (the carpet will dry, but that material underneath will hold water for weeks) - I ended up ripping mine out and Rhino Lining the whole thing, after grinding down the rust that had taken root...

[Madeara]

Just because misery loves sympathy, here's a picture of my windshield problem - very similar to yours, just that the water doesn't get to the headliner, it runs down the A-pillar and drips in the foot well.

Heck I have a wet floor board for years, had lots of $ spent and window replacement 2 x. Where exactly is the A- Pillar and where is that picture taken? Maybe I can get a better idea how to fix mine.

[me.guevara]

Originally Posted by Madeara

Heck I have a wet floor board for years, had lots of $ spent and window replacement 2 x. Where exactly is the A- Pillar and where is that picture taken? Maybe I can get a better idea how to fix mine.

Let's not get confused here - the A-pillar, if I understand correctly, is what they call the lateral "edges" of your windscreen, to which the front doors are attached, the B-pillar forms the rear frame of the front doors and to which the front seatbelts attach.

What I'm trying to say to LRXD is that I suspect that his headliner is not getting wet from the apparent gap in the windscreen, but rather from a leak elsewhere (I just can't see how water from the windscreen can seep up and back onto the headliner - but I do not hold the monopoly on LR knowledge). Thus, I suspect that the Alpine windows (those little curved things above the cargo area - pictured below), known the world round for their leaking, may be the real cause for his wet headliner.

On the outside of your Disco, take a look at the paint around the Alpine windows, if the paint is bubbling or you see rust, you have a leak. On the inside (pictured), you may have a harder time due to all the trimming, you need to take a look all around the window, including the cargo space carpetting and matting and the headliner up front.

Hope this helps some...

Cheers,

[LRXD]

Take a look at my images again and use your Land Rover as a point of reference to guide you through. Review the area where the windscreen physically meets the rubber stripping from the outside. Note, that the roof pitch has a slight slope downward. Next, review where the windscreen meets the headliner from the inside and you will see that the front edge (very beginning) of the headliner is at physically lower point then where the windshield physicaly begins. Therefore, if the water is seeping in through the outside seals and/or deteriorated/worn out sealant around the windscreen, then this is all possible.