YJ: Leaking Windshield Frame

[6spdYJ]

As the cooler days approach, I'm reminded that my windshield frame has a leak from a mystery spot. It only shows up when it has been raining heavily, or if I'm driving in a hard rain. It spills down the back side of the dash panel and drians right into the stereo. Yup, need a new stereo. I have pulled out the black trim ring from around the glass and sealed the small hidden rust hole that was under it. I put an extra layer of foam insulation under the frame where it sits on the cowling. I sealed the top edge of the seam filler between the body and frame with silicone, and even drilled a small hole on the lowest point of each side of the frame to keep water from pooling. So far it looks like my best option is a set of hip-waders. Any suggestions?

[alittleoff]

Bass-Pro, ebay or craigslist is your best bet for hip-waders.

Steve

[inVERt'D]

Hip waders? Don't be ridicimous! What you need are some good door seals, some jets, water heating, and you are wheeling in style, my brother!

I do have a TJ windshield/ tub seal you can have, but I think the water will run out the back and sides before it gets that high anyway.

[Tumbleweed13]

My previous jeep, a 95 yj, also developed an under dash leak. I addressed all the issues that you did. I discovered the problem was with the fresh air intake just below the windshield.
2 things happened. 1st, the seal on the box ,under the dash, dried out and let water in.
2nd. the flap that opens and closes to let in fresh air would not close all the way. This would also let water in during heavy rains only.
So, before you get a new stereo, I'd test it with a hose. You can drowned the vent without touching the windshield and see if thats where your problem lies. I also got a set of the heavy duty husky liners floor mats to catch the water and keep it from getting the carpet wet.

[6spdYJ]

David, All I have to do is turn the heater and fan on high. Tumbleweed, thanks for the idea, I had a case of tunnel-vision. I'll check it out.

[rr_cj6]

I had an 89 with the same leak you described. The speakers got soaked and water pooled on the floor. I could hear water swishing while making sharp turns. I found out the water came in from the top edge of the cowl seal (the dumb lip that was designed to let water in). I've also tried putting silicone on the upper edge but it never worked for me. What worked for me (temporary fix) was to put a strip of packing tape over the lip/upper edge fo the cowl seal so that the there was a shingle-ing effect.

I bought a new cowl seal also but never got a chance to install it before I sold the jeep. I still have the cowl seal. Let me know if you need a new one.

[Lumpy Grits]

Check the sealing where the wiper arms come through the front of the frame.
That's where my "7" leaked.
Cheers,
LG

[Shadly1]

Common. What really sucks is when you fix one mystery leak, another one will pop up. I had one that started in the cowl seal, so I bought another cowl seal. Another one popped up in the rubber moulding, so I sealed it with silicone. A rust hole popped up at the base of the frame on the inside, so I cleaned the rust and plugged the whole area with more silicone. I'm down to about a half cup of water for every night of rain. The frame is hollow and it would be so cool if I could fill it with expanding foam but the wipers are in there. Quadratec has a windshield kit that's something like $250. Frame, moulding and glass. This is the only sure fire fix.

[6spdYJ]

Had this sent by another YJ guy: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f12/t...up-how-628941/