Subject: | Windnoise From Front and Rear Doors (Inspect and Repair Seals as Required) |
Models: | All 1991 Saturns |
Some customers may express a concern that they hear windnoise coming from the front doors around the mirror area, or from the front and/or rear doors around the upper door frame areas or from the upper corners of the door glass.
Depending on the location of the windnoise, the cause could be one of the following:
• | Insufficient sealing under the mirror patch gasket |
• | Missing sealer at certain locations such as the door frame to door assembly at the beltline |
• | Insufficient contact of the secondary seals to door openings |
• | Door glass run channel not sealing to the door glass at the upper corners |
Before attempting repairs, please review the following windnoise diagnosis procedures:
The first step of the repair process in correcting windnoise is to identify the cause(s) of the noise. A determination must be made as to whether the cause of the noise is air escaping from the vehicle or outside air turbulence.
To assist in diagnosing the cause of a windnoise concern, answers to the following questions should be obtained from the customer:
1.1. | Whistle |
1.2. | Flutter |
1.3. | Rush of air |
3.1. | Air leaving the body? (internal windnoise) |
3.2. | Air passing over the body's exterior surface? (external windnoise) |
4.1. | Front of the vehicle |
4.2. | Side of the vehicle |
When analyzing windnoise, it is important to understand the forces that act upon the vehicle that can create this condition. As air strikes and bends around the front of a vehicle in motion, it causes a low --pressure area to develop around the front pillars and side window locations of the body. At the same time, air flow that is filtered through the vehicle's vents and/or AC system will cause a high-pressure to build-up inside the passenger compartment. The faster the vehicle is traveling, the greater the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the vehicle becomes.
The high inside pressure and low outside pressure is separated only by the vehicle's exterior panels, glass, weatherstrips, and body seals. When an opening is created at a body seam or weak weatherstrip contact, the high inside pressure will move towards the low outside pressure and create an internal windnoise.
Wind rush or external windnoise is created by the air passing over and around misaligned body components such as mirrors, and door moldings.
A road test is required to determine if the windnoise condition is external, internal, or a combination of the two.
Note: Often there is one primary leak source and one or more secondary leaks that contribute to the noise condition. Repairing only one of these sources may not completely repair the total condition, but only reduce it.
The following items should be used by the technician during the test drive to aid in locating the leak area:
The vehicle should be driven at the speed in which the noise was noticed by the customer or until it is heard.
Caution: Safe legal speeds should never be exceeded.
If the noise can be heard with the door glass lowered and the vehicle driven it is most likely external windnoise.
Locating an external windnoise is accomplished by taping off various moldings and gaps until the noise is eliminated pinpointing the exact cause of the noise.
If the noise is more distinct with the window in a full-up position while the car is driven, it is most likely an internal windnoise caused by an open body seam or poor glass door weatherstrip sealing surfaces.
Visually inspect for misaligned components, loose fasteners, torn weatherstrips, broken weld joints and/or adhesive skips.
Clean the weatherstrips and contact surfaces with cleaning solvent. Apply powder or chalk in an unbroken line around the perimeter of the trunk lid, door, door glass or hood. Surrounding areas must be free of chalk or powder. Close the panel completely. Do not slam closed. The line applied on the weatherstrip will be marred where contact is good. A corresponding imprint will be on the mating surfaces. Gaps or irregularities in the powder or chalk line indicate a poor seal.
Turn on the vehicle's ventilation fan. Close all opening, doors, windows, etc. An abnormal amount of high-pressure will build up in the vehicle and will escape through voids or poor seals. With a stethoscope or length of heater (vacuum) hose, listen for escaping air along the door and window seals. A smoke tester or dusting powder can be used in the same manner. The exact location can be seen as the smoke or powder travels through the void or bad seal.
The actual repair procedure depends on the type of seal being repaired. Leaks may require panel or glass alignment, sealer application or weatherstrip alignment or replacement.
Important: Thickness of a strip caulk should not be greater than 2 mm (0.080 in).
Notice: Fastener Notice
Tighten
Tighten the attaching nuts to 6 N·m (53 lb in)
1. Fill the void between the rear door upper frame and door assembly at the front beltline of the rear door using a strip caulk sealer such as 3M® Strip Caulk #08578 or equivalent.
Claim Information | To receive credit for this repair, submit a claim through the Saturn Dealer System using the appropriate labor operation(s) listed below: | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
-- | Case Type | Description | Labor Operation Code | Time |
-- | VW | Repair Windnoise at Mirrors Right Front Door Left Front Door | T9525 T9526 | 0.4 hrs 0.4 hrs |
VW | Repair Windnoise at Door Weatherstrips Right Front Door Left Front Door | T9527 T9528 | 0.2 hrs 0.2 hrs | |
VW | Repair Windnoise at Door Weatherstrips Right Rear Door Left Rear Door | T9529 T530 | 0.3 hrs 0.3 hrs | |
VW | Seal Front Beltline of Rear Doors Right Rear Door Left Rear Door | T9531 T95132 | 0.1 hrs 0.1 hrs | |
VW | Adjust Door Frame -- Sedan -- R/Front | B4000 | 1.0 hrs | |
VW | Adjust Door Frame -- Coupe -- R/Front | B4000 | 1.1 hrs | |
VW | Adjust Door Frame -- Sedan -- L/Front | B4001 | 1.0 hrs | |
VW | Adjust Door Frame -- Coupe -- L/Front | B4001 | 1.1 hrs | |
VW | Adjust Door Frame R/Rear | B4001 | 0.3 hrs | |
VW | Adjust Door Frame L/Rear | B4001 | 0.3 hrs |