981 Windscreen Seal "Melting"

[elstonc]

When washing my 2013 981 this morning I noticed there is a seal or glue or something between the edge of the windscreen and the body that has softened. It is turning into a tar-like substance. It doesn't seem tp be the adhesive that bonds the glass to the body but something around the edge.

Has anyone else had this? A bit of googling suggests some American owners have had it but it's relatively uncommon.

I haven't used any unusual solvents to clean the glass, just AutoGlym Fast Glass and the screen wash additive is the OPC supplied stuff.

 

[Nick_USA]

Had a replacement screen fitted ?

 

[elstonc]

No, same screen since new.

 

[DavEee]

I have discovered this same problem on my 2015 Boxster GTS.
Did you manage to resolve it?

 

[Cookrc]

No issues here, 2012 car.

 

[daro911]

When washing my 2013 981 this morning I noticed there is a seal or glue or something between the edge of the windscreen and the body that has softened. It is turning into a tar-like substance. It doesn't seem tp be the adhesive that bonds the glass to the body but something around the edge.

Has anyone else had this? A bit of googling suggests some American owners have had it but it's relatively uncommon.

I haven't used any unusual solvents to clean the glass, just AutoGlym Fast Glass and the screen wash additive is the OPC supplied stuff.

Noticed it a few months ago on my 2016 5k dry miles only 981 Spyder made a right mess of my cloth I used to remove most of it[]

I assumed it was something to do with the glass bonding agent and hope it doesn't become an issue going forward I might now try investigate a bit deeper as its not just me experiencing this phenomenon

Just found this:-

https://www.planet-9.com/threads/windshield-replaced-under-warranty.164553/

Back in February I noticed that my windshield gasket (for lack of a better term) had started to degrade, it was like it was melting. As it was still under warranty, I took it to the dealer. They took pictures, cleaned it up, and said to let them know if it got worse. It wasn't bad for a long time but recently seemed to be melting a lot more. This is what it looks like now after a day of cruising (sorry for the bad pictures):



This was something that I can no longer live with so off to the dealer I went. They examined it, took a few more pictures, ordered a new windshield and it's being installed tomorrow - under warranty. My car is now out of warranty but since I brought this to their attention prior to that, it's covered. So, if you notice anything like this, have your dealer document it before your warranty runs out.

Happy Motoring!







2013 Boxster S, White, Luxor Beige Interior w/crests on the headrests, 6 speed MT, PTV, PASM, Light Design Package, Bi Xenon Lighting System w/Porsche Dynamic Light, Sport Chrono Package, Voice Control, Sport Design Steering Wheel, Infotainment Package, Premium Package, Painted rollbars, Black taillights, Fabspeed Maxflow cat-back, Mods4cars SmarTOP, Schnell Autosports 7mm wheel spacers, Porsche Short Shift Kit.


Reactions:Johnrobbfl

 

[DavEee]

Thanks for your replies.

I hadn't noticed a problem until very recently.
I have owned my car for 3 years and it has also covered few miles (13k) spending all it's time in a dry garage.
No solvents have been used on it and only the Gtechniq cleaners supplied by the OPC.
Due to the Covid situation I wasn't using the car much at all this year so I purchased a breathable dust cover to keep the car clean.

It is possible Porsche or their commissioned suppliers changed the composition of the sealing on the windscreen at some point during the production of these cars.
I know over recent years many solvents and chemicals have been substituted in industry with less effective options often with detrimental effects.
I'm wondering if putting a cover over the car for extended periods reduces the airflow around the screen and aggravates this problem (not that that is an excuse for this reaction).

daro911, Do you also have a dust cover for your car?

I raised this issue with my local OPC but they were not interested.
I have since contacted Porsche UK and they are now investigating.

See pics. below
Dave E

The screen surround is wrapped in Xpel protective film and 'the goo' from the seal/gasket has also lifted the edge of it.

 

[daro911]

daro911, Do you also have a dust cover for your car?

I raised this issue with my local OPC but they were not interested.
I have since contacted Porsche UK and they are now investigating.

See pics. below
Dave E

The screen surround is wrapped in Xpel protective film and 'the goo' from the seal/gasket has also lifted the edge of it.

My car spends its life in the garage "naked"

Would be interested to know what Porsche GB says as and when they respond to you

 

[SpyderDavid]

Checked my car this morning - seems fine atm. Lives under a cover.

 

[DavEee]

Thanks again guys.
Interesting that it afflicts some cars and not others.
I've taken a photo of the manufacturers marking on the screen (Saint-Gobain).
I don't know if there are any other suppliers but the problem may be restricted to a particular supplier or batch.

Daro911 with your permission I would like to mention to Porsche UK that someone else has the same problem.
If you want me to add further details then perhaps you can PM me with any information.
Love the colour BTW, works really well on the Spyder.

DavEee

 

[daro911]

I've taken a photo of the manufacturers marking on the screen (Saint-Gobain).
I don't know if there are any other suppliers but the problem may be restricted to a particular supplier or batch.

Daro911 with your permission I would like to mention to Porsche UK that someone else has the same problem.
If you want me to add further details then perhaps you can PM me with any information.
Love the colour BTW, works really well on the Spyder.

DavEee

I have emailed Porsche UK today so will PM you so we can formulate a plan of attack

My screen info:-

 

[SpyderDavid]

Thanks again guys.
Interesting that it afflicts some cars and not others.
I've taken a photo of the manufacturers marking on the screen (Saint-Gobain).
I don't know if there are any other suppliers but the problem may be restricted to a particular supplier or batch.

Daro911 with your permission I would like to mention to Porsche UK that someone else has the same problem.
If you want me to add further details then perhaps you can PM me with any information.
Love the colour BTW, works really well on the Spyder.

DavEee

My screen info exactly the same - 5 rather than 6 at the bottom, could be year of manufacture perhaps as mine completed build January 2016 and I think Rob's was a bit later so a 6?
Have you shown your car to a windscreen repair place? They may have seen something similar before or be better at diagnosing the underlying issue than an OPC. Perhaps worth posting on box.net too as there is an active community of 981 users there - not seen anything on this particular issue though. I think you'll need a number of instances to build a case with PCGB if you look at the previous issues with wheel and headlight finishes as examples of their reluctance to accept responsibility. I guess the ultimate resolution is to have the screen rebonded?

 

[daro911]

My screen info exactly the same - 5 rather than 6 at the bottom, could be year of manufacture perhaps as mine completed build January 2016 and I think Rob's was a bit later so a 6?
Have you shown your car to a windscreen repair place? They may have seen something similar before or be better at diagnosing the underlying issue than an OPC. Perhaps worth posting on box.net too as there is an active community of 981 users there - not seen anything on this particular issue though. I think you'll need a number of instances to build a case with PCGB if you look at the previous issues with wheel and headlight finishes as examples of their reluctance to accept responsibility. I guess the ultimate resolution is to have the screen rebonded?

My build was late April 2016 so you're probably correct on the 5 & 6 number

Rebonding the screen sounds a sensible plan if such a service exists as the actual glass on mine is perfect and chip free still

 

[Gazoak]

The screen surround is wrapped in Xpel protective film and 'the goo' from the seal/gasket has also lifted the edge of it.

My car spends its life in the garage "naked"

Would be interested to know what Porsche GB says as and when they respond to you

So that's where all the toilet rolls are going!

 

[Lowrider]

How did this saga end... did you get any good service from Porsche UK?

My car has exactly the same problem at six years of age....

 

[DavEee]

Sorry to hear you have the same problem.

I meant to update this post but the timeline got extended due to lockdowns and it was only completed last month.
My local OPC wasn't interested in helping me out so I raised the issue with Porsche UK in December.
Back in January after some deliberation they instructed me to take the car back to the OPC I purchased the car from.
This involved over 200mls round journey but apparently it had to go back to the place of purchase to be plugged into the computer to log the claim to Porsche Germany (why could this not be done locally ??????).
Then the Government advice changed to only leave the local area for essential reasons.
This delay suited me as I didn't want to drive the car over miles of salt-ridden Motorway.
Anyway when the lockdown eased (and the salt) the car was booked in to be evaluated and some strategy to repair agreed.
When the car was plugged into the computer it said (NO) there were not grounds for a replacement (The car is 5 years old and out of warranty).
However as a goodwill gesture the local OPC agreed they would pay half the cost to replace the screen.
I accepted this as the quoted cost, considering all the ancillary electronics attached to the screen was less than I expected.
So the car was booked in for the replacement (another 200mls trip).

I was very pleased with the service I got form the OPC as they listened to my concerns and ensured everything was in place so it could be replaced in the one day.
Although the replacement was another St Gobain type we checked to see the batch codes were different just in case it was a batch issue.
While replacing a screen, the potential for damage to other parts of the car is high but everything appears to be in good order.

As you can see from the original photos mine looked very unsightly and I could not be happy leaving it as was, especially given the effect on the Xpel wrapping.
Fortunately the wrapping company agreed to replace the lifted wrapping around the screen f.o.c.
I now have a new screen with a 2yr warranty which I am very pleased with (so far).

My observations.
The seal is an integral part of the screen so cannot be replaced separately.
This problem appears to affect some screens produced by St Gobain. Some Boxsters had Pilkington glass which seem to be OK.
I am not sure if St Gobain and Pilkington are interchangeable it may depend on the additional electronics attached to the screen.
This problem is more common than Porsche would like to admit to.

Good luck