Dodgy Windscreen Viano W639

[James Ireland]

Hi all.
I recently got my windscreen replaced in a dealers. I noticed immediately an increase in condensation first thing in the morning. I contacted them and agreed to bring it in so they could check it. Basically, I never got round to bringing it in. Its now been two months or so. I definitely feel that theres an issue there which I didnt have before the new windscreen was installed. Along the a pillar on both driver and passenger side, you can see clearly the arrows on the tinted side section of the glass. i had never seen this before. I now suspect that they may have fitted the wrong model windscreen, which may be a bit smaller than the correct one. Can anyone tell me how to find out the model number of the correct windscreen for my car and check it against what they have installed? I'd like to do this myself before going in to them and having to listen to some BS excuse about the weather having been really bad lately......
Any help as usual greatly appreciated!!

 

[LostKiwi]

Those markings are normal and both my MBs here have them.
Highly unlikely to be the wrong screen. It sounds to me as though the new screen is leaking allowing water into the carpets which turns to condensation overnight.

 

[James Ireland]

Those markings are normal and both my MBs here have them.
Highly unlikely to be the wrong screen. It sounds to me as though the new screen is leaking allowing water into the carpets which turns to condensation overnight.

Thanks a lot for your reply. I take your point. But I dont know why in all the previous windsreens fitted also by MB dealers, I have never had these markings so visible like now. And no issues with previous replaced windscreens. It doesnt look normal either

 

[mioba]

Probably an updated screen.

 

[Droverunner]

Just to add as I have a Viano I've looked at mine and the arrow markings are visible like yours. My screen looks a replacement as it's a NordGlass brand. There are no misting issues and I can't think your screen is incorrect or that it's the source of misting.

I would say the degree of visibility of the markings is more down to how well the pillar interior trims are fitted back. My drivers pillar trim has a load of extra wiring behind and there is no doubt it doesn't sit quite as flush as it might.

 

[James Ireland]

Just to add as I have a Viano I've looked at mine and the arrow markings are visible like yours. My screen looks a replacement as it's a NordGlass brand. There are no misting issues and I can't think your screen is incorrect or that it's the source of misting.

I would say the degree of visibility of the markings is more down to how well the pillar interior trims are fitted back. My drivers pillar trim has a load of extra wiring behind and there is no doubt it doesn't sit quite as flush as it might.

Hi. Thanks for your reply. I can currently fit my finger in between the glass and the pilar panel on the inside. I dont remember this being like that before. Can you check in your car please if its the same? It might be just incorrectly installed. I might take it to a standard windscreen fitting centre to see what they tell me.

 

[Droverunner]

Do you mean there is enough gap between screen and that pillar trim such that you think the screen is not only too small but not pushed back far enough onto the body? It's not obvious in your photos. I'll look at mine later.

Edit: I guess the gap between screen and pillar trim is about 5mm but variable as the trim and the way it fixes allows for some variation. I wonder it it would be more telling if you look at and get an image of what the screen fit looks like on the outside??

 

[James Ireland]

Yes. There is a gap of maybe 4 or 5 mm between the glass and the pillar trim. I can't remember how it was before exactly but I would have thought that it should have been pretty much flush.

 

[Droverunner]

That's very similar to mine. See my edit above re the outside fit.

 

[James Ireland]

Hi all. I'm returning to this windscreen issue as its giving me the same problems again this winter as the rainy season is kicking in. My viano is a W639 but I have this nagging feeling that they may have fitted me a windscreen from the newer version of vianos. In the first photo above, you can see the coding of the windscreen they gave me. If anyone out there has a Saint Gobain windscreen on a w639, would they mind checking this or posting a photo of the code on their windscreen please? Its so annoying now as my glass fogs up when it starts to rain a bit. And I've noticed the material on the piece of facia surrounding the aircon controls has become soft and sticky, as if damp has got in to the car.

 

[M80]

The trims must be fitted ok, or there would be unsightly gaps between it and the dash or the roof.

You can see from the outside if the screen fits well across the top and down the sides.
To check the bottom the plastic scuttle would need be removed.

I would guess that the screen sealant (to body) is passing.
But to have equal condensation n/s & o/s that would need be in a couple of places across the top, or both sides surely.

 

[James Ireland]

The trims must be fitted ok, or there would be unsightly gaps between it and the dash or the roof.

You can see from the outside if the screen fits well across the top and down the sides.
To check the bottom the plastic scuttle would need be removed.

I would guess that the screen sealant (to body) is passing.
But to have equal condensation n/s & o/s that would need be in a couple of places across the top, or both sides surely.

Hi. Thanks for your reply and suggestions. There is a noticeable somewhat unsightly gap now that you mention it. Please see the photo. Some of the yellow insulation is visible.

 

[M80]

Sorry the photo's aren't so clear to me.
The bottom of the screen has a rubber strip, that the plastic scuttle sits under, and over.
Although the rubber missing wouldn't cause your issue, in truth I'm not sure it is anything other than anti rattle.

You didn't suffer the condensation prior to screen change, I don't on mine (fingers crossed). Assuming nowt else has affected this than I can only see that the screen bonding to the body is the issue.
The only other choice is for some water being inside from another cause, that condensates.
I've had issue with sunroof drains, in the unlikely chance you have one.

Extra thought. If you do have the sunroof/s, I seem to remember that the tubing runs behind those A pillar trims. Might they have trapped one or two when putting the trims back?
When mine blocked, if I remember, the evidence was a wetting around the front corner ceiling of the sunroof.

 

[James Ireland]

I don't have a sunroof. I'll try to get better photos this evening when there is less glare around. Bottom line is I didn't have the issue before the screen change. So for me it's either shabby installation or incorrect windscreen dimensions. This is why I always try to do things myself if its possible because it drives me crazy when jobs are not done right. I need to do a job of the control arms and rear diff bushes now and would prefer to pay someone to do it but I just don't trust too many to do it right anymore.