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Topic: Leak origin (Read 1191 times) previous topic - next topic

Leak origin

Here is what I have. I purchased a 1989 Foretravel Unihome Grandvilla. It needs some work and renovations. I have some water damage on the floor and am trying to find its source. I have gone over the roof and sealed every seam and joint with Eternabond. Then for winter I installed two heavy duty tarps to be doubly sure it isn't the roof. Yes, it would be nice if I had the luxury of a garage, but that takes something I don't have much of. I am trying to upgrade from a 1978 Travco that gets real cold in the winter by fixing up this RV that has endured a great deal of neglect. Yes, do to circumstances beyond my control, I am living in my RV. I have some pictures that may help. The leak is behind the passenger's side seat. Has anyone else had a problem like this and did they find the root cause of the leak or even have a trick for finding the leak's source? Thank you for any help.

Curtis
Curtis
1989 GV

Re: Leak origin

Reply #1 –
Curtis,

If the second image is trying to show that the water stains come from higher up than the window(s), what is mounted on the outside of the coach in that general area?  Awning?  Outdoor light?  You might check there to see if there's rain penetration from a mounting screw/bracket/flange/etc.

If it weren't for that, I'd have suspected a seal around the window.

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Leak origin

Reply #2 –
Curtis,

I recently had water streaks in the very same location on the side paneling.  The leak was due to dried caulking at the front cap seam/junction on the right half of the coach roof.  The A/C condensate was pooling up against the metal at the cap junction.  By removing all of the caulking, cleaning area thoroughly, and recaulking with PolyseamSeal adhesive caulk, there have been no further leaks.  I believe that the water on the floor is actually pooling from the roof leak.
Don Hay
'92 Grandvilla, U-280
The Hayfever Express
Build #4055
'97 GEO Tracker
Life is like licking honey off a thorn.

Re: Leak origin

Reply #3 –
I have a mystery "leak" in a close location to the one starting this thread.  1999 40ft U320

Passenger side.  No evidence of leak inside. Drip, drip, drip on outside.  From underneath.  Location is underneath the most forward edge of the fuel/propane bay opening.  No water or fuel on floor inside the fuel/propane bay.

Not leaking now.  No AC in these temps, so no AC condensate.  No morning dew going down the side.  Pretty much desert in these parts.

Last time it "leaked/dripped" was when I almost filled the freshwater tank.  (I didn't want to fill it as much as I did, but I caught it before it over flowed.)  That tank's pretty far back from the leak/drip location.  The only way I can see the freshwater tank having an effect that time is it tilted the coach. There have been leaks/drips unrelated to freshwater tank level.

Any ideas?

best, paul
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Leak origin

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Paul Smith –
I have a mystery "leak" in a close location to the one starting this thread.  1999 40ft U320

Passenger side.  No evidence of leak inside. Drip, drip, drip on outside.  From underneath.  Location is underneath the most forward edge of the fuel/propane bay opening.  No water or fuel on floor inside the fuel/propane bay.

Not leaking now.  No AC in these temps, so no AC condensate.  No morning dew going down the side.

Any ideas?

Where's the fridge relative to the drip - could it be defrost melt coming out the drain tube? 

Or maybe a leak in the icemaker line (if you have one, either standalone or inside the fridge)?  On the NDR-1492 fridges, some of us have had to replace the icemaker water line that's bundled with a heat wire - the heat disintegrated the poly tube.

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Leak origin

Reply #5 –
The fridge is on the other/driver's side, far away. We never use the ice maker. Ice trays work fine.

best, paul

Quote

Where's the fridge relative to the drip - could it be defrost melt coming out the drain tube?
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Leak origin

Reply #6 –
Had the exact same problem on my 1988 GV ORED. The water was seeping under the narrow molding all the way from the top of the mh. I removed the molding (attache the front cap to side wall) use a few putty knife, flat screw drivers,wood chisels ,you get the idea. Pried apart front cap side wall fiber glass. found little delamination and I used good marine caulking under as far as I could push it. I used steal roller to push everyting back , reinstalled the molding and voila problem solved.
niagarachip 
1997 U320  40'

Re: Leak origin

Reply #7 –
Paul,
I had a similar leak.  Turned out to be a screw on the front cap molding - on the side.  I believe it leaked to the interior the of the side wall tubing, ran down the interior of the tube to the bottom and then found it's way out at the top of the wheel well.  I pulled all the molding off and reinstalled with new silicone - no more wet spot there anymore.  I made sure each screw had plenty of sealer all round it.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho