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        General >> Give/Need advice to/from others >> Rust at front heated windscreen!!!
        
(Message started by: shionogi247 on Jul 27^th, 2006, 5:38pm)

Title: Rust at front heated windscreen!!!
Post by shionogi247 on Jul 27^th, 2006, 5:38pm

Hi everyone,

I want to share a story with you all just to warn you.

When I bought my 1995 Cosworth, about three years ago, I noticed some rust at the top of the windscreen weather strip (front windscreen). A few months later, I had this rust treated by a local Ford dealer.

Just a few weeks ago, there suddenly appeared a big crack in the windscreen, at the passenger side in the bottom corner (LH drive). I brought my car to Carglass for the repair, and at first they ordered a front windscreen for an old Scorpio model (1994), the second time they had a normal windscreen, not Ghia. The Ghia/Ultima windscreen has a different mirror attachment and Ghia/Ultima versions have the VIN-number stamped under the windscreen so there needs to be a blank space in the bottom (black) part of the windscreen to read the VIN.

Anyway, they got the right windscreen the third time. But a few hours after I left my car there, I was called and asked to come back and have a look. They removed the windscreen and found rust everywhere, and it turned out the crack in the windscreen had been caused by rust from underneath the windscreen!!!!!

With lots of work and patience, they managed to properly fit in the new windscreen, after they cured the rust as good as they could. Unfortunately, it's just a matter of time before the rust reappears...

The windscreen was obviously replaced about four or five years ago, before I bought the car. It was a very sloppy job!!!

The rust can occur if the windscreen is not replaced correctly, if the bonding is not properly used (leakage) or if a messy job has been done. When replacing the windscreen, extreme care should be taken not to damage the paint surrounding te screen, and extreme care should be taken when refitting the top weather strip (five clamps). If the clamps are not fitted correctly, the paint will be damaged and rust will appear at the top of the windscreen!!!!!

Unfortunately I was not able to take pictures when the windscreen was off.

Here's my advice: When buying a Scorpio, check the top of the front windscreen for signs of rust. If rust seems to be there, I would strongly advise not to buy the car, or, I you insist, curing the rust but that means removing the entire windscreen and replacing it. A new windscreen for a Cossie costs 700 Euro (in Netherlands) but fortunately my insurance paid for it because many windscreens have cracked due to the high temperatures this month....

If you have your windscreen replaced make sure the job is done well, if necessary keep your eye on the job!

Greeting Hans

Title: Re: Rust at front heated windscreen!!!
Post by mr._floppy on Jul 28^th, 2006, 12:07pm

A strange one that, an unusual place to get rust.

I wonder if an MOT tester would even look there.

Title: Re: Rust at front heated windscreen!!!
Post by shionogi247 on Jul 29^th, 2006, 5:24pm

Hi mr. Floppy,

I know, it's very strange, but I guess it has to do with a windscreen replacement that wasn't done properly.

I must say, I try to do most of the repairs myself, sometimes if get my car back from my Ford garage, I discover little scratches in the paint, obviously the mechanics there don't always bother to put protective covers over the fenders >:( you really don't want to see how your car is mistreated in some workshops >:(