OPC fobbing me off?

[snarf]

Just had my windscreen replaced by my local OPC.

On collection I noticed that the seal at the bottom of the screen was not pressing against the glass as it had done previously - see picture taken this morning before the screen was removed.

I said I was unhappy with this so the car was returned to the workshop but after 30 minutes or so the car came back with no discernable improvement. I was then told that this not the "real screen seal", it was therefore nothing to worry about being quite normal after glass replacement and that all cars with new glass would be in the same condition. In short nothing can be done and not even fitting a new plastic moulding will help [].

So my question is; am I being told the truth? Do all of you out there with replacement windscreens have poorly fitting seals at the base of the screen? If there is someone out there with a new screen an a well fitted seal please let me have a picture so I can use this in support of my argument to get the work rectified.

Finally, while driving home I noticed that the screen mounted rear view mirror was vibrating to such an extent that the illuminated variable speed limit signs on the motorway were almost unreadable. I presume it is the mirror to glass adhesive that is causing the problem but is it possible that it is the whole windscreen that is shaking [&:]?

 

[Julio Geordio]

It's a bit hard to tell on the photo exactly what I'm looking at but will have a look at mine tomorrow and let you know whether I think it looks ok. I've certainly never noticed anything unusual and certainly no wind noise or vibrating mirrors. I've never managed to upload photos on this website so I wouldn't hold your breath on that I'm afraid, although I could email directly.

However, live in Marlow, work in Bracknell. If they're convenient happy to meet up and you can compare for yourself. I'm pretty sure I'll have the Autoglass paperwork and that may have the name of the fitter.

 

[garyw]

Allen, I believe you saying it was the insurance paying for it.. tell them you are not happy.. they may have more weight to get things done..

My seal does press against the glass, however it hasn't been replaced..

garyw

 

[peanut]

if it isn't finished to the same standard as when it was first built then it idsn't good enough. The fact that you have noticed it and felt strongly enough to bring it to their attention is indication enough. I should stick to your guns and take it back and ask them to refit tit or you'll complain to the insurance company and they won't pay for the work.It will annoy you for ever if you accept it as it is

 

[yan]

Allen

The visual part of my seal does not press against the glass at the ends which leads me to believe that it is cosmetic rather than the real seal. It's close to the glass though and does settle back if disturbed when washing etc. so I have never queried it.

re: mirror - it may be that they have not re-attached it completely/securely - this would certainly be easier to fix than a vibrating windscreen... (I had a windscreen replaced once and the mirror was not fixed back onto the new windscreen properly to the extent that it was sitting at an angle such I could only see half the rear windscreen!) FYI - I don't think they glue the mirror on rather the windscreen usually has fixings for the mirror which somehow locks onto these.

Would be interested in how your problems are solved - good luck.

 

[snarf]

ORIGINAL: Julio Geordio

It's a bit hard to tell on the photo exactly what I'm looking at but will have a look at mine tomorrow and let you know whether I think it looks ok. I've certainly never noticed anything unusual and certainly no wind noise or vibrating mirrors. I've never managed to upload photos on this website so I wouldn't hold your breath on that I'm afraid, although I could email directly.

However, live in Marlow, work in Bracknell. If they're convenient happy to meet up and you can compare for yourself. I'm pretty sure I'll have the Autoglass paperwork and that may have the name of the fitter.

Julio thanks for response.

Sorry for delay in responding talktalk broadband went down as I was replying last night and as only just come back up.

The seal that I am referring to is the one that provides the interface between the screen and the plastic moulding which runs across the width of the car and goes forward under the hood. On the photograph it is the strip about 15mm wide that is firmly pressed against the glass. Trouble is that after the replacement screen fitting it is no longer pressed against the glass, in fact there is a slight gap between the seal and the glass in the centre of the windscreen.

ORIGINAL: garyw
Allen, I believe you saying it was the insurance paying for it.. tell them you are not happy.. they may have more weight to get things done..
garyw

Yes covered by insurance but I had to pay up front, now waiting for cheque from insurance co.

ORIGINAL: peanut
if it isn't finished to the same standard as when it was first built then it idsn't good enough. The fact that you have noticed it and felt strongly enough to bring it to their attention is indication enough. I should stick to your guns and take it back and ask them to refit . . .

While talktalk as been off the air I went back to the OPC this morning and they have agreed to fit a new screen, not because of the "base seal" problem I first noticed, which is "cosmetic", but because the main lip seal is misaligned (most noticable along the roof line) and this means that the screen is also misaligned. I didn't have to press my case too strongly they just spent half an hour examining it and then agreed that it needed to come out - so quite pleased by this outcome.

ORIGINAL: J
Allen

The visual part of my seal does not press against the glass at the ends which leads me to believe that it is cosmetic rather than the real seal. . . - good luck.

I think the "base seal" as I call it is just cosmetic but I would prefer it to look as new. Any water passing this seal ends up in the battery bay along with any other water running forward under the rear edge of the hood. There are couple of drain holes in the battery bay so there should be no long-term detrimental consequences of a poor base seal.

Thanks to everyone for your support and feedback. I will report back next week on how the OPC does second time round.

 

[Julio Geordio]

Snarf - remembered to check my screen today - no gaps around lower seal at all and had a close look around the whole screen too, and no problems that I can see.

Regards

 

[Tony M]

It strikes me that if the top is misaligned then the whole screen will be at a slight 'crook' and the incorrectly positioned lower screen radius is causing the cosmetic seal to rise in the centre.

The screen alignment is critical,so much so that Porsche have spent a fortune on a 'Screen fitting Robots' when they could have employed Bert and Harry from Autoglass at a fraction of the cost[]

 

[snarf]

ORIGINAL: Julio Geordio

Snarf - remembered to check my screen today - no gaps around lower seal at all and had a close look around the whole screen too, and no problems that I can see.

Regards

Thanks for this info. I will press this point when I take the car in tomorrow for the refit.

 

[snarf]

As reported above the car was back with the OPC today for a refit of the windscreen. When I collected it an hour or so ago I was told that a new screen had been fitted; a quick inspection showed that the "base seal" was now firmly pressed against the glass and the seal along the roof line also looked fine. I will be giving the car a good clean and Zaino treatment this weekend and it's at such times that I tend to notice the fine detail but fingers crossed all is well now.