Cracks in black plastic window frames

[lunatic]

We are devastated. We examined the window frames thoroughly in Germany before we purchased and now we find there are several cracks around the windows and utility centre. Maybe this happened in transit on the ship or truck? Some are very thin and one is wider.

We are in Canada and of course have no hope of getting the plastic replaced with fibreglass (unless someone has a good idea??).

Right now, I have sealed all the the cracks with SIKAFLEX, which seems to be pretty good stuff. I have sealed the cracks and also reached over and sealed the plastic above the rubber window seal.

I am not aware of any water coming in at the moment and we have had very heavy rain in the last few days.

If anyone has any advice I would really appreciate it. Is my only option to keep sealing the cracks as they appear?

Thank you, Ian

[rainerd]

I feel sorry for you but I told you the plastic frames in older JCs are critical and need to be replaced at some point. Buying one with those and believing that they will remain just fine can be considered a huge and naive mistake. I would try to get the replacement parts if still available. Shipping should not be a big thing if you have someone to take over that part in Europe. Replacement can be easily done in canada by any talented mechanic. Good luck.

[lunatic]

I appreciate your forthright response! The fact that we examined and signed off on the plastic in Germany is now irrelevant. I will check out availability of parts.

Let's assume the replacement parts are no longer available. I am writing to the JC owners on the forum who have the original plastic window frames (maybe with cracks in) and asking for advice as to how you have dealt with the issue, what works and what does not. How do you make sure you keep the water out etc.? I am using SIKAFLEX - is that the best answer?

Private messages are fine or answers through the forum. All feedback is appreciated.

Ian

[netsailor]

Hi Ian,
you are not alone with this topic. We never had any visible cracks. Today I found a small one at the front end of the service window.
I'll patch it and keep an eye on the developments.
Greetings from the train to Leipzig to hear some Canadian sounds from Regina
Stefan

[rainerd]

Maybe this helps to find the spare parts:
https://webautocats.com/de/epc/mercedes ... 2x/98/340/

[lunatic]

Mercedes Canada are going to help me with the cracks in the plastic frames. To do what they feel will be a permanent repair, they need access to the inside of the black plastic frames. As far as the dining window is concerned, I have seen this done, have photos and feel reasonably confident that I can do that. Photo below of where I need to get to.

The bathroom is another matter! Attached is a photo of the inside of the bathroom with arrows on the panels that look like they need to come off.

Has anyone done this before and if so, do I just start pulling at these panels or is there a logical sequence to follow to expose the inside of the black plastic window frames? Of course, as with the dining room, the bug screen frame will have to be unscrewed.

As ever, your help and ideas is always appreciated.

Thanks, Ian

[yiiisch]

Hi Lunatic,
please have a look at the following thread: https://forum.james-cook-freunde.de/vie ... ce6#p58123
Especially the second attachment provides some guidance on how to unmount the bathroom. However, Mercedes should have the full documentation as Westfalia belonged to Mercedes at the time the 3rd generation JC was produced. I acquired my JC from the owner of a Mercedes garage who provided those attachments. Therefore I guess any Mercedes garage should be able to access this documentation (at least if they want to).

Good Luck!

[lunatic]

Hi Yiiisch,

Thanks for the links and I have downloaded the attachments. In Canada, Mercedes contracts out all its bodywork (as does BMW and Audi etc.) to a company called MITEK. I met with them yesterday and they will be doing the work. Renowned as high end great workmanship repairs. As Mercedes Canada never sold the JC, I am not sure how much they will know, but I can try.

I will do some reading and research and report back!

Ian

[rainerd]

I think the surface cracks are not the biggest issue and can be fixed from time to time. But you should have an eye on the hinges of the windows (living room, toilet, service) because the plastic could also break here. I had that issue and had no other option than replacing with the fibreglass version.

[lunatic]

When you replace the plastic window surrounds with the fibre glass version, does the mechanic take out all the tinted windows and insert the fibre glass from the outside or do they replace the panels from the inside and leave the glass in place on the outside?

I had a glass specialist look at mine, and he said you would take all the glass off the drivers' side, change the plastic for fibre glass and then put the glass back with the new panels inside. Then you would have to replace all the all panels inside!

Does anyone know how this is done?

Thanks, Ian

[rainerd]

Yes, windows need to be removed for the replacement. New panels are glued into the frame from the outside. Can't tell if removing the windows breaks the panels....

[lunatic]

Thanks Rainerd. So all of the black tinted glass from the driver's side has to be removed...... correct?

I am going to approach this in a 3-stage process:

1. Mercedes through their affiliate body work company next week will repair and strengthen all of the plastic from outside and inside, especially around the hinges. Let's see how they do! They have an excellent reputation.
2. Find, order and ship replacement fibreglass panels.
3. Mercedes have a glass specialist here who can then remove all the black glass from side of JC and replace the panels.

Mercedes Canada tell me the replacement panels are back ordered. I will ask Manfred his advice.

If anyone knows how to source the replacement panels I would appreciate it.................

Cheers, Ian

[rainerd]

Manfred did my replacement and I am pretty sure I remember he told me that all the glas needs to be removed (which is actually not a big thing). I can also tell that my windows had new seals after the replacement so I guess they were removed. Did Mercedes gave you a parts number for the panels?

[lunatic]

Hi Rainard,

Mercedes Canada states that they can only order everything in the attached schematic, but they cannot order just the fiberglass frames. CAN$6,000 per unit and they are "back ordered". I believe what I need are the parts I have circled in RED in the attachment. Manfred told ne that they are EURO 1,000 each + shipping.

I believe that MITEC + a glass specialist could do the replacement in Canada.

In an email I have asked Manfred if he is able to get the fiberglass frames and any other parts I need. He has not replied yet.

As far as part numbers, it is hard to tell from the second attachment to this message (the link you gave to me in an earlier message), but it looks like:
Q982035145015 Dining window
Q982035145013 Rear window

Any help finding the new fiberglass frames, seals and parts would be wonderful!

Cheers, Ian

[rainerd]

Yes, the red marked items should be the frames. Strangely those are the only parts not listed in the catalogue as single item. But I remember I also paid appr. 2.000€ for both frames.