General Tech Help Good at troubleshooting? Have a non specific issue? Discuss general tech topics here...

Leaky Rear Window?

Old Mar 8, 2012 | 12:03 AM
  #1  
choover82's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 51
From: Estherville, IA
Default Leaky Rear Window?

My sister found out the hard way that the back window has a leak somewhere. She thought it was her imagination but when she exited the car, her rear was wet. Used a blanket to cover the seat. When we got home, I checked, and sure enough, half of the seat and backrest was wet. Me being curious, I popped the trunk to see if it was wet back there, and it was.

Im going to take the leap and say my window is leaking somewhere...anyone know of an easy fix? Dont want to take to a shop for something I can do myself. Was thinking of applying some kind of clear sealant around the window seal but want opionions first.

I did see yesterday that there is dried white dust, (water?), on the top of the window seal...maybe this is where my leak would be located. Sounds about right, now thinking about it, it is above the area where the seat is wet.

Ill take some pics of the car when the day is nicer...hopefully this weekend.

Thanks for the help =)

(oh, and someone was right, the car does burn oil, but not bad)
 
Old Mar 8, 2012 | 03:40 AM
  #2  
uncljohn's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,912
From: Peoria AZ
Default

(oh, and someone was right, the car does burn oil, but not bad)
===========================
If you have not switched to using a heavier weight oil, it is at least time to do it now. While it won't fix the wear that has taken place already it may defer further wear and may also slow down the oil consumption.
Yes you can get oil that is too heavy for the temperature ranges you live in. A 10W30 is an acceptable oil wieght for those who live where it snows in the winter.
A 10W40 is better if your winter does not have snow or use it in the summer.
Last Feburary it hit 80+ degrees where I live. I use 20W50 weight oil in mine. Year around. The factory recommended oil was not recommended with engine reliability in mind and needs to be changed to insure long term reliability.

As to the window? The only really good way to repair a window leak is to remove the window and replace or recondition the rubber seal or something similar.
Also if the car has a sun roof, there are drain holes in the opening with tubes that run down. You might want to check to see if they are plugged. This causes water to collect there and end up where you don't need water to be.
This is also a reason to buy a Mitchel or Chilton or someones Saturn Service manual to inform you how to do these things if you have never done them before.
 
Old Mar 8, 2012 | 12:13 PM
  #3  
sw2cam's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,278
From: Arizona
Default

Does the car have a SUNROOF?
 
Old Mar 9, 2012 | 12:37 AM
  #4  
choover82's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 51
From: Estherville, IA
Default

nope, it doesnt
 
Old Mar 9, 2012 | 06:48 AM
  #5  
OceanArcher's Avatar
Banned
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,748
From: Riveria of America
Default

I guess it's possible that the rubberized gasket around the rear window has hardened over time and developed a crack, which would allow water intrusion. The use of "rubberized sealants" to stop such leaks seldom (if ever) look like a professional job.

Were it my car, I'd be calling my local "Saturn friendly" GM dealer, to (1) find out the price on a replacemant gasket, and (2) see who they would recommend to make it happen. More expensive that way, but more satisfying ....
 
Old Mar 9, 2012 | 04:50 PM
  #6  
geek1488's Avatar
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 14
Default

id call a local window company some times the they have a universal seal that they use when replacing windows which they used when i had the windshield replaced on my blazer other wise the will order a seal to fit i wouldnt think it would be too expensive other wise clear silcone does work but it dont look the greatest n ive never seen it solve the problem for long when it comes to windows id let a pro do it n dont stick with the first place you call shop round
 
Old Jul 3, 2012 | 11:36 PM
  #7  
sc81's Avatar
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4
From: Birmingham, Alabama
Default Rear window leak

Our L300 had a rear window leak and we found that there was no rubber washer under the antenna just in front of the rear window. We placed a washer there and voila, no leak for the last 6 years.
 
Old Jul 8, 2012 | 07:57 PM
  #8  
trike1946's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 246
From: Southern NJ
Default

As a temp fix you can use some clear sealer to stop the water from coming in. But get the right gasket and do it over.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
marcbarnhart
Private 'Wanted' Classifieds
1
Jan 21, 2013 08:25 PM
redvue
General Tech Help
13
Dec 2, 2011 11:19 AM
salatjm
General Tech Help
2
Mar 15, 2009 08:59 AM
Fireball69
Saturn S Series Sedan
9
Jul 28, 2006 06:49 PM
pepsiman
General Tech Help
3
Mar 28, 2006 06:13 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:32 AM.