Delaminating Windscreen

Guest · Feb 1, 2006

I have a 2002 996 and have noticed that the windscreen is starting to delaminate in the lower corner of the drivers side. My Porsche dealership said it must have been cracked / chipped and should be replaced through my insurance. I cannot see any stone damage - either chips or cracks - and believe it be a faulty screen and should be covered by the warranty.

Has anyone else had similar issues? How did you get it resolved; warranty or to pay the insurance excess?

If you were to go the insurance route, would you trust Autoglas or whoever your insurance co use?

Loving the car and like the site.
JMK

Rodney Naghar · Feb 1, 2006

I've heard a fair few cases of this happening, nothing to do with cracking or chipping, I think it's just a case of moisture getting through the plastic and glass sandwich that makes up the windscreen. I think the windscreen is not so easy to replace because the radio aerial runs through the middle of it. In many cases the delamination just stops and doesn't get worse.

Hugh Ross · Feb 1, 2006

What does the delamination look like? - if its a milky haze, mine has it too - same place, drivers lower corner.
Hugh

Rodney Naghar · Feb 1, 2006

Yup, milky haze.

Guest · Feb 2, 2006

JMK

I have the same issue as you mate but on the passenger side.

check your policy re the insurance as I am not sure mine will cover it but I am going to look.

failing that it is a hammer to the driver side to make a chip and unroad worthy!!

it looks a bit untidy and not right on the car so waiting for the good weather to come in before I do it.

Pete B · Feb 2, 2006

Mine went like that, and so have two new style Golf 5's that I own. OPC trotted out similar excuses and get outs. In the end I had a new screen fitted and paid the excess. Autoglass did the work at home with an OE Porsche screen and made a really neat job of it. Two man job done in a morning. No creaks afterwards either!The Golfs were returned to the supplying dealer and came back covered in adhesive and dirty hand marks over the roof lining and interior.

Michael Downing · Feb 2, 2006

Sounds like the guy who locked himself out of his Mondeo. He could see the keys in there, but couldn't get at them. He had the most surreal conversation with Autoglass.

"Hello, could you let me know what windows you have in stock for a 20xx Mondeo please?"

"Err, which one do you need?"

"Can you just let me know which you have available for fitting immediately"

"Umm... but which one is broken? If you tell me then I can look it up."

"OK, it's the offside front side window"

"No, sorry, but we're expecting one soon"

"Ah, oh actually it's the nearside. Sorry, I got confused."

"Nearside front side window, yes we have that in stock."

***SMASH *** TINKLE***

"Excellent, can you come over right away please?"

Rodney Naghar · Feb 2, 2006

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Guest · Feb 6, 2006

Thanks for the feedback. I'll probably go the insurance route in a few weeks as the screen also has a small stone chip at eye level.

hothatch2002 · Feb 6, 2006

If your car lives outdoors, I'm afraid that they all do that eventually. There is obviously some sort of design fault because I have seen so many cars with this problem. It is caused by moisture ingressing into the plastic pvb layer between the two pieces of glass. Cars which are garaged and only used in fair weather will not have this problem. I suspect that the rubber gaskets and the silicone are not sealing the screen correctly.

Guest · Feb 9, 2006

Hi Hothatch,

Thanks for the comment and I agree that it is likely to be a manufacturing fault as the car is garaged each night and I cannot see any chip or crack.

I've had many [non Porsche] cars and never seen this issue before and as a matter of principle I do not beleive I should have to claim on my insurance, regardless of excess cost, for what I regard is a manufacturing defect. If I get anywhere with Porsche I'll let you know.