Trouble with my rubber (Manta window)

[opelwasp]

I bought a window rubber from Dr Manta and it has separated. Anyone else had this problem? I included pics. I hope the rest of my gaskets don't crap out like this. I am not happy. $130 down the drain.

[Paul]

Well, the windor rubber I bought and installed several years ago, failed within about a year. I don't know where Charles bought it from in Germany, but I suspect it was also from Dr Manta. I hate to hear you are having a problem with yours too, because I bought another gasket in DR Manta group buy #1 to use as a replacement. Haven't installed it yet, but planned to install it before winter... Now it looks like I'll have problems with it also...

[opelwasp]

I've only had it in 3 weeks. I had it installed by a glass shop too.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by opelwasp I bought a window rubber from Dr Manta and it has separated. Anyone else had this problem? I included pics. I hope the rest of my gaskets don't crap out like this. I am not happy. $130 down the drain.

Contact Dr. Manta, they've probably had this complaint before. Anyone who would bond the ends together where there will be stress is either awfully sure of the bond strength or not thinking. I'd bet on the latter. I'd include a picture, copy of receipts from them and the installer. They should stand behind what they sell.

Harold

[Phoenix]

Is that the only place where 2 ends meet?

[opelwasp]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr Contact Dr. Manta, they've probably had this complaint before. Anyone who would bond the ends together where there will be stress is either awfully sure of the bond strength or not thinking. I'd bet on the later. I'd include a picture, copy of receipts from them and the installer. They should stand behind what they sell.I showed this to another Opel parts supplier. They were not impressed with its quality. they said the pieces were super glued and not vulcanized together. The cheap way to dio it. Harold

Originally Posted by Phoenix Is that the only place where 2 ends meet?

No actually this seal is made up of at least 4 pieces I can see, which makes 4 super glued seams. The rear seal is also super glued in the corners, so I am expecting it to fail too.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by opelwasp No actually this seal is made up of at least 4 pieces I can see, which makes 4 super glued seams. The rear seal is also super glued in the corners, so I am expecting it to fail too.

You might try this 'super glue'. I did a search for a different glue and had problems with their website. This company also came up in the same search and claimed to be the equivalent for less. I've seen a demo where they glued two cylindrical pieces together and I was unable to pull them apart. They also handed me a pair of scissors to cut through the joint. I cut it several different ways and was unable to find a glued together section or seam.

This might fix your problem but I would still contact Dr. Manta!

Harold

[rmstirm]

Guys,

I sure don't like what I read about the Manta windshield rubber failing prematurely. My son and I are currently restoring a 74 Opel Manta. It had a smashed windshield in it when we bought it, that we need to soon replace. I had ordered and received a windshield rubber gasket also from Dr. Manta (group buy). As soon as I can find a windshield at the right price (new or used), we will be installing it. I may choose to have a glass installer do the work as I have not done it before. I suspect that I may too have some problems with the gasket (hope not). We are trying to salvage the rear glass rubber buy coating it with liquid rubber (experiment). If you know where I could get a windshield near or in the state of Indiana, please let me know. Thanks and happy Opelling!

Randy S.

[Paul]

My front windshield only had one seam/joint and was in the center of the glass at the base of the windshield. I've had no problem with the rear gasket. A professional glass shop installed my front and rear glass.

[neuropel]

Well, this is great cause for concern if their gaskets are indeed faulty. I've had mine installed since mid-May, so I'll keep an eye on it and report back if I have any problems. When the gaskets failed, was it sudden or did you happen to notice it progressing over the course of several days?

[jerseydave]

Is there anyway to prevent this from happening? Any preventive measure that can be done, impregnate some super adhesive into the seam? I have yet to install mine from the Dr Manta II order, so I could actual send it back if I had to, but how long a wait 'til we get replacements!!

Also it could only be the ones that employee B did that day or a bad batch of adhesive or like stated above it could just be the process used.

Looks like whatever it is will be a PITA!

[jordan]

3M Scotchgrip adhesive may work well for this. It is not a good look to see the corners glued and not vulcanized, the supplier should be notified that it isn't holding up.

[stevyz]

im very interested to know about these problems..... i dont want to shell out the rediculas 165 each and pay to install then have them seperate...id be damn p.. od ,,,, i have installed about 300 vw windows and never seen one seal do that do anything like that,,,the cheap mexi ones somtimes curl on the edges after few years that(and only 69.00 for a whole car set) i think im going to use vw rubber ,,if i can find somthing close to same size type 4 or maybe squareback.... its worth the price to find out if it will work... we need to band together and get us manufacturer to make these for us,,,,

[timemachine]

The pics look like the version that does not use the chrome or black insert. Do the traditional gaskets with inserts have the same problem?

The sample pics also look pretty marked up for recent replacements. How did that happen?

Thanks,

Jim

[Paul]

Mine that failed DID have the chrome lockstrip/insert...

[74Opel1900]

This thread is scaring me. I bought front and rear for my Ascona but I have yet to install them.

[opelwasp]

I'm going to be contacting Dr Manta this week to see what he plans to do about it. I'll keep ya posted.

[BQS4]

I have two of these windshield gaskets installed on mine and my wife's Sportwagons. It's been at least 2-3 years that they have been on the cars and they're from Wolfgang. There is no hint of anything coming apart, not even in the corners. This is after a couple of southern summers and winters, so it could be that there may have been a bad batch.

[neuropel]

No sign of any issues with mine yet, except that it leaks at one of the corners. Are they supposed to use sealant on them when they're installed? The shop was a little surprised that I had leaks, but they want me to bring it back in so they can re-install.

[Rionart]

Originally Posted by neuropel No sign of any issues with mine yet, except that it leaks at one of the corners. Are they supposed to use sealant on them when they're installed? The shop was a little surprised that I had leaks, but they want me to bring it back in so they can re-install.

I just popped the back window out of the '75 Auto...this is the first time the window has been out, so I was disturbing the 'factory' set.
The only evidence of sealant was at the top corners, the never hardening black goo..enough to cover about an inch along the top and sides of the opening, but it looked like it was primarily to seal the actual corner void.
HTH,
Rob.

[timemachine]

Originally Posted by Rionart I just popped the back window out of the '75 Auto...this is the first time the window has been out, so I was disturbing the 'factory' set. The only evidence of sealant was at the top corners, the never hardening black goo..enough to cover about an inch along the top and sides of the opening, but it looked like it was primarily to seal the actual corner void. HTH, Rob.

Thanks Rob, that kind of physical evidence is very valuable to us rebuilders, of which I am now one. I believe your post applies only to the rear window but any other testimony is appreciated.

Jim