Window residue

[Chris Williams]

I have noticed since I got my MINI in October that on the drivers window, a half triangle shape in line with the wing mirror has a film of some form of residue over it. Given the weather conditions at present this is quite dangerous since it limits my view of the wing mirror. Even when the dealer cleaned the window on Friday as soon as I put the window down, back came the residue which blocked my view.

I took it into my dealer on Friday who has told me I need a new door seal and that they need to take the door panel off to investigate the problem....Argh! So not only has my dashboard been taken to bits, now my door panel's coming off! Plus the fact that I have found I need a new glove box following on from the dashboard being dismantled.

I am sure I have read about a similar problem elsewhere on the board, I'm wondering if some form of protective wax has fallen into the door frame.

Regards
Christopher

[Paul]

Lots of MINI's (about 50% of those I've been in I would say) have this problem to some extent or another. Strangely it always seems to affect the driver (RHD) side window and not the passenger side.

I do not know what the fix is.

[Chris Williams]

Well the dealer has suggested a new door seal. Amazingly as with most dealers..this was a problem they hadn't seen before! However, to give them their credit they recognised it was a problem, particularly in the current weather conditions and have organised for the delivery of a new seal. I'll post back with what they found when the car goes in on the 22 Jan.

Regards
Christopher

[Paul]

The most annoying is when you've washed the car, it's really shiny and clean, you polish the windows etc...

A little while later you open the window, close it, and there's a big greasy mark!

Been there, done that!

[Chris Williams]

Quite agree...additionally its very difficult with the amount of salt on the roads, coupled with all the screen wash that runs down in that section of the window...can make your view through your mirrors quite tricky...in any event will let you know what the dealer finds when they replace the door seal.

Regards
Christopher

[Paul]

Please do report back on how you got on.

[Chris Williams]

Will do. Given the number of vehicles suffering from the problem, then it might be useful if a dealer finds a fix which others might be able to put to their dealer.

Regards
Christopher

My drivers side window (MCS) has got some greasy smear that I just can't get rid of too. Washed it thoroughly, and about an hour later this 'condensation' mark appears.



DBK.

[Wul]

I keep a microfibre cloth in the drivers door and have to keep wiping the inside of the drivers window after every time i drop the window - the cloth keeps it clean until i next lower the window!

[Chris Williams]

I will let you all know the outcome on the 22 Jan when the car goes in. If Paul is correct (which he normally is) then this is a very common problem...

Hope to be of greater assistance later on in the month.

Regards
Christopher

[Chris Williams]

As promised Mini MINI has just returned from Howarths...very very clean inside and out so full stars for that, also full stars for sorting out the residue problem.

I've had a new seal fitted apparently the gap was full of salt and all sorts of muck which was causing the problem. On inspection and a few up and downs with the window I can see no sign of the mark. So my advice is ask for a new door seal or get your dealer to get in touch with Howarths in Newcastle under Lyme.

Regards
Christopher

[minimotion]

My October 01 Cooper is the same. The inside of both driver and passenger windows get a massive great streak up them, especially when it's been raining. It's always done it, never got worse or better, winds me right up.

[GTT 280]

Quote:

Originally posted by minimotion
My October 01 Cooper is the same. The inside of both driver and passenger windows get a massive great streak up them, especially when it's been raining. It's always done it, never got worse or better, winds me right up.

I have an Oct 02 build Cooper and have the same problem.
I must have a faulty seal then.

I also told my dealer that my seal was squeaking so I think they greased it for me or WD-40'd it with silicone. I suppose this wouldn't help either. It has been in for some door rattle fixes so it may well be a grease buildup of this kind as opposed to the faulty seal.

The discription provided in this thread do match my 'condensation' appearance which happens on every down-up of the window.

As I'm getting a Cooper S in 2 months I'll not worry too much about that.

Cheers,
EB MINI

[aircanuck]

Quote:

Originally posted by EB MINI

As I'm getting a Cooper S in 2 months I'll not worry too much about that.

Cheers,
EB MINI

I'm getting nailed with it in my MCS, slightly upsetting, if I do say so.

[GTT 280]

Quote:

Originally posted by aircanuck
I'm getting nailed with it in my MCS, slightly upsetting, if I do say so.

Replace the seals then.
But be sure to put them back in the sea when you've finished. Fnar, Fnar.

Cheers,
EB MINI