How do I Find an Air Leak in a Windshield or Side Window of a Car?
by Allen MooreAir leaks around windshields or side windows in your car can range from mildly annoying to nearly unbearable. When air slides through the sealant around the edges of the glass, it creates an audible whistle-like noise. The air leak also can allow moisture to pass through, damaging the surrounding trim. If you have a noise from around one of your windows, you should pinpoint and correct it as soon as possible. Anyone with a modicum of mechanical aptitude and common sense can find the air leak with a little bit of perseverance.
Step 1
Tape the bottom seal of the glass with your masking tape. Make sure to completely cover the gap between the glass and the car's body panel.
Step 2
Drive the car to see if the noise has gone away. If not, stop and tape off the left side of the glass in the same manner you taped off the bottom of the glass.
Step 3
Drive the car to see if the noise has gone away. If not, tape off the right side of the glass in the same manner you taped off the bottom of the glass.
Step 4
Drive the car again to see if the noise has gone away. If not, tape off the top of the glass in the same manner you taped off the bottom of the glass and drive the car.
Step 5
When the taping makes the noise cease, peel the tape off, a few inches at a time, and drive again until the sound returns. Once the sound returns, you know the last few inches you exposed by removing the tape is where the leak is passing through the window sealant.
References
Things You'll Need
- 2-inch Masking tape
Writer Bio
Allen Moore's career includes awards in poetry and creative fiction, published lyrics, fiction books and nonfiction articles as well as a master certification in automotive service from the Ford Motor Company. Moore is a contributing writer for RF365.com and various other websites, a ghostwriter for Rainbow Writing and has over a dozen works of fiction currently in print.
