Prevost window question

WoodenBoat · April 03, 2019, 08:28:26 AM

My conversion project is a 1998 H3-45. On the driver's side, next to the driver's seat, there is a little coin window and then a rather L shaped window above it. This window is double glazed. Over time, these windows tend to lose their seal and fog will develop between the glazes - the panes. Mine has had this happen and I can't for the life of me figure out how to clean that fog out. And the fog is bad enough that driving this bus is downright dangerous. Pulling out into traffic poses a serious risk.

I was at the Prevost dealer in Goodlettsville TN the other day and I asked those guys about this problem. They said it was common in older Prevosts. They said that the cure was to buy a new window - about $800. Yikes! Then there would be another 8-10 hours shop time to put it in. Double YIKES! I'm sorry but I just don't have that kind of coin.

Well... it's too late to lament over buying a Prevost and possibly getting myself into a project that would cost far more than I could ever afford. I sort of feel like a kid on a newspaper route that suddenly finds himself the owner of a new Ferrari and can't afford the tires. But I'm so much in love with this bus that I would marry it if it was a woman. LOL

Ok, so anyway, I'm wondering what other options are available. One thing that has occured to me is that I might be able to remove the interior glaze and go with only the outside glaze. Being tempered glass, I'm sure it will shatter if I poke at it. I can clean up the broken pieces but would I risk shattering BOTH glazes?

Does anyone have any insight?

buswarrior · April 03, 2019, 09:03:19 AM

Shop time?

Why don't you remove it yourself?

Find the glass shop with the capabilities to separate the panes, clean 'em and re-seal properly, no moisture between the panes.

Be sure they understand it is for your personal coach, not a fleet vehicle, so they use a cleaner rag on the inside surfaces before re-seal.

Single pane glass in that location will be hard to keep the condensation fog off when driving in those cooler conditions.

Power washers should NOT be used anywhere near a busnut's double pane glass. Old seals don't need a blast to introduce moisture.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

Fred Mc · April 03, 2019, 09:34:40 AM

If it is truly tempered glass(it should have a stamp on it)will only brake (within reason of course) if it is hit with a metal instrument on the edge. I was at Pennisula glass a number of years ago and they demonstrated how it shatters into a million pieces when struck on the edge and I have done the same with a piece of tempered glass at home(on purpose)It is incredible strong on the surface. So if you avoid the edge and use plastic or wooden instruments when separating the panels you should be ok.

lostagain · April 03, 2019, 11:39:54 AM

Yep, what BW said. Many glass shops will fix double pane. I would keep the double pane window, because it insulates quite well against hot and cold. Removing it yourself shouldn't be too hard.

JC

niles500 · April 03, 2019, 11:41:56 AM

Window from Prevost should be about $350 with free shipping, plus a tube of Sika, about a 1 hour job- FWIW

Jon · April 03, 2019, 12:01:11 PM

A lot of Prevost owners will do the glass replacement themselves. It is a simple but a little time consuming process. Go to the Prevost Car web site and under maintenance and parts you can pull up the shop manuals for your coach. It will show the window replacement procedure.

If a local shop cannot repair the thermopane windows and alternative is to use a single pane heavy safety glass which is what the toll window is on your coach.

WoodenBoat · April 03, 2019, 02:40:01 PM

WOW! I'm gone for just a little while and when I get back, I find all this input. Thanks guys! Thank you very much. I will start looking for a glass shop that can reseal the windows.

Quote from: niles500 on April 03, 2019, 11:41:56 AM
Window from Prevost should be about $350 with free shipping, plus a tube of Sika, about a 1 hour job- FWIW

This is one thing that really pisses me off! Why would these jerks tell me $800 and 8-10 hours shop time? Do they not want me to do business with them? Trust me, I wasn't dressed like a bum the day I went in. I guess I should have driven my Maybach or the M4 that day.

Van · April 03, 2019, 02:53:10 PM

Do you have an account set up with Prevost? Do they even have you in their records as the current owner? If not call with your Vin # an get that set up. Mine is an H3-40, I was quoted $4 hundred and change for the same window and yes as said free shipping! Pull the window yourself and either take to a glass shop or buy new, a new tube of Sika will accompany the new window from Prevo.

luvrbus · April 03, 2019, 04:30:41 PM

A 1998 Prevost has bonded windows I bet it is a job and $$$$

chessie4905 · April 03, 2019, 08:16:25 PM

Shouldn't be worse than using a hot knife to remove car windshields.

WoodenBoat · April 04, 2019, 04:10:12 AM

Quote from: Van on April 03, 2019, 02:53:10 PM
Do you have an account set up with Prevost? Do they even have you in their records as the current owner? If not call with your Vin # an get that set up. Mine is an H3-40, I was quoted $4 hundred and change for the same window and yes as said free shipping! Pull the window yourself and either take to a glass shop or buy new, a new tube of Sika will accompany the new window from Prevo.

The last time I read through this short thread, I missed the above post. Sorry about that. But to answer the question, YES. I do have an account set up. The guy that quoted me the $800 price for the glass alone was not in the parts department. If my price was $400 and an hour of shop time, I could do it.

Once again, thank you one and all. This problem is, as I see, going to be a lot easier to solve than I first thought.

Jim Blackwood · April 04, 2019, 06:05:17 AM

Something else you could try which shouldn't cost you anything. I'm not sure how your window frame is made but being double pane I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that the two panes are set into an aluminum channel with a rubber seal. If you puncture that seal in a couple spots you can inject dry air into the inside and get the water out. One approach would be to drill two very small holes (1/16" or so) through the frame between the glass (being very careful not to touch either pane with the drill bit as it will instantly shatter if you do) and then drive a couple of hypodermic needles through the seal. Hook an air line to the bottom one and flow air through it, in a day or less it should be clear.

Is it practical? Maybe not. But it doesn't cost hundreds of dollars either.

Jim

luvrbus · April 04, 2019, 11:34:42 AM

Quote from: Jon on April 03, 2019, 12:01:11 PM
A lot of Prevost owners will do the glass replacement themselves. It is a simple but a little time consuming process. Go to the Prevost Car web site and under maintenance and parts you can pull up the shop manuals for your coach. It will show the window replacement procedure.

If a local shop cannot repair the thermopane windows and alternative is to use a single pane heavy safety glass which is what the toll window is on your coach.

On the H-45 the double pane glass on the drivers toll window are 2 different type glass the outside is laminated safety glass and the inside is tempered safety glass

chessie4905 · April 04, 2019, 11:54:01 AM

Only frame I see is around the ticket window.

luvrbus · April 04, 2019, 11:59:29 AM

I broke mine and had Prevost replace it the Insurance Co paid so I don't what it cost but was at the Center in Ft Worth for a day,mine broke from me hitting it with a coffee cup inside