What Seepage is This?

Topic: What Seepage is This? (Read 838 times) previous topic - next topic

What Seepage is This?

September 30, 2015, 08:59:54 pm

OK, we've been living in torrential downpours. But I'm concerned about what I saw today during the VERY BRIEF period without rain. What's happening in these photos?

To be clear (since the photos may not be), these were taken just above the front wheel on the driver's side. You can see the top of the steer tire in one. In the other, I tried to get closer to show the seepage between a metal something and whatever is above it. But what's happening here?

We're new (4 months full time in the coach), but I haven't seen water dripping from BEHIND the fiberglass body panels onto the front wheel. We normally just see condensation from the air conditioners on the roof running the ends of the coach, where the gutters end.

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #1 – September 30, 2015, 09:12:56 pm

Richard,
Can only comment on the center pix of the rim with the oily film, that would be from two possibilities, 1-The rubber plug in the center of the wheel is old and not sealing good, cheap to replace, and 2-the wheel bearing is slightly over filled with oil causing the oil to be thrown out, most of us have had the experience.

No idea of the other two pix, but am interested to learn.

Hope all is well, I enjoy reading your notes and thanks for the help when I arrived for the non event in NC last month, thanks

Dave M

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #2 – September 30, 2015, 09:35:26 pm

cheap trick from days at peterbilt is to put a rag or a shop towel in the center cap of the steer. that will stop the streaks coming outward

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #3 – September 30, 2015, 10:18:55 pm

If it's anything our issue, it was a water leak from the window weather strip running straight down the fiberglass between the plywood sidewall and the front cap. Not laminated the same way there so not to tough to fix.

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #4 – September 30, 2015, 10:28:42 pm

If your wheel bearing was leaking a lot you would probably have black radial streaks coming out from under the center cap between the bolt covers.

Do you have any penetration of the floor skin above the tire? Looks like some seepage through the floor or down the wall. Any damp carpet in the driver's area? Look backwards, where could it come from?

See you a week from Monday.

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #5 – October 01, 2015, 07:13:31 am

Is the trim piece between side body and fenders sealed correctly?

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #6 – October 01, 2015, 07:59:59 am

Richard,

Also check to see if your turn signal light is sealed properly water can migrate down from it to where your drip is., Also check the area around the front corner of your slide as water could have been blown in the area between the slide seal and body if you are in a real frog choker.

Pamela & Mike

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #7 – October 01, 2015, 08:22:05 am

Thanks, all!

Turbo jack, if I understand correctly, that trim piece would run horizontally? That said, Bob & Sue, our problem could be similar to yours. Roger & Susan, good suggestion. Why didn't I think of "look backwards"? And Pamela & Mike, your suggestion gives me another area to check (turn signal light).

One follow-up question: Is it possible that the front-facing window of the slide, which *IS* leaking, could not only be allowing water to seep onto the solid surface below the window (where we have a towel lying to absorb the moisture until the rain stops), but also down INTO the slide — where the water could somehow travel across into the floor of the main body of the coach, and then seep out above the tire? In other words, does the slide ride out on a rail or something else that could transfer water across?

I've checked all the carpets. There are no "squishy" spots in the carpet or obvious areas of wetness that suggest water came from higher than floor level, or is running any distance under the carpet. But to Pamela & Mike's point, we are and have been in a real frog choker.

Dave M and It's Toby, re: the oily film — thanks! My experience isn't yet deep enough to have noticed what you saw. As soon as the rain stops, I'll check.

Finally, Roger & Susan, yes — looking forward to seeing you a week from Monday! If I didn't mention it previously, we'll be in site 204, at least for Monday night. Don't know about afterward until Tuesday check-in. Should be easy on Monday to recognize our coach from the photo(s) we use on the Forum, and we'll know you from yours!

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #8 – October 01, 2015, 08:53:50 am

Quote from: LookingWest – October 01, 2015, 08:22:05 am

One follow-up question: Is it possible that the front-facing window of the slide, which *IS* leaking, could not only be allowing water to seep onto the solid surface below the window (where we have a towel lying to absorb the moisture until the rain stops), but also down INTO the slide — where the water could somehow travel across into the floor of the main body of the coach, and then seep out above the tire? In other words, does the slide ride out on a rail or something else that could transfer water across?

The short answer is yes. If that window is leaking it is possible for the water to be seeping out of the bottom of the slide unit and then the water can run along the side rail resulting in a leak somewhere along where the side rail attaches. You also need to check the bays under the front of your slide for wetness.

Pamela & Mike

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #9 – October 01, 2015, 12:28:40 pm

Well . . . I *may* have found the source of the seepage in the original photos. I should have interpreted "look backwards" to include "look upwards," which I finally did today (only because I had to get in the cabinet above the driver's seat).

It would appear (?) that the roof penetration necessary for the Winegard antenna is leaking. I'm assuming, but asking here, if water came in there could it have run two directions: out toward the stain you see here on the ceiling <sigh>, but also back toward the exterior wall — going down the wiring chase or wherever and seeping out above the wheel?

I'll search other threads for ceiling "cleaning"/stain removal, as well as for roof coatings, but if anyone wants to post experience or suggestions here, looks like Susan & I need both.

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #10 – October 01, 2015, 12:35:15 pm

We have found that: "Scrubbing Bubbles, Oxy Power, Grease and Stain Remover by Fantastik" works very well on water stains on Ozite carpet.

It is a discontinued product, but we found it on a shelf as recently as last month.

PM me your e-mail address and I can forward a photo of the product bottle.

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #11 – October 01, 2015, 01:12:38 pm

In your picture it does not look like the carpet in the cabinet where the wires come down is wet

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #12 – October 01, 2015, 02:21:25 pm

Turbojack,

Yes, I know — that struck me as odd, too. But if I press a Kleenex up against that part of the carpet, it will come away with wet spots where my fingers held it against the ceiling carpet.

My assumption (could easily be wrong?) is that the water traveled along the wires which run under the ceiling carpet, out of the cabinet, to the Winegard antenna crank mounted on the ceiling. If my guess is correct, maybe the pressure of the cabinet above the driver's seat created enough of a barrier that most of the water stopped/pooled there, as shown in the photo

I dunno. I'm guessing (aside from knowing I want to get that antenna off our roof ASAP, since we haven't used it and don't plan to).

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #13 – October 01, 2015, 02:21:48 pm

The clearance lights above the windshield can be a source of water penetration as well - might not be a bad idea to check the ones above the driver's seat.

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #14 – October 01, 2015, 02:28:59 pm

Thanks, Michelle. Good thought. I suppose the driver-side air horn is mounted up there in roughly the same area. Hadn't thought about the clearance lights or horn.

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #15 – October 01, 2015, 03:44:14 pm

Quote from: LookingWest – October 01, 2015, 02:28:59 pm

Thanks, Michelle. Good thought. I suppose the driver-side air horn is mounted up there in roughly the same area. Hadn't thought about the clearance lights or horn.

Richard ..I had a clearance light leak in CA before coming out here and it ran down the sides on to the carpet, before I realized it the carpet was soaked.

Simple fix tho...get up on the ladder and reseal the contact base of all the light.

Hans

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #16 – October 01, 2015, 04:19:11 pm

Hans, thank you!

All, if it ever stops raining, I'm eager to swing into action. However, the park where we're currently docked (perhaps that word is prophetic) sits in a floodplain. Talking to the office, we could have as much as 10" of rain coming. We may be moving the coach tonight.

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #17 – October 01, 2015, 04:30:43 pm

Quote from: LookingWest – October 01, 2015, 12:28:40 pm

I'll search other threads for ceiling "cleaning"/stain removal, as well as for roof coatings, but if anyone wants to post experience or suggestions here, looks like Susan & I need both.

In a previous motorhome, with this same ceiling material, and similar water spots, I just used The Little Green carpet cleaning device with their regular deep cleaning solution. I couldn't believe that with just a very light scrubbing, almost just touching the bristles to the carpet material, and then letting the machine vacuum back the solution, the stains disappeared. And this was not just a case of "without knowing where the stains were, you couldn't tell." No, you could not see even a single trace of the prior stain, even around the edges where I was pretty sure that line would still be visible.

And especially if you can treat it while it's still wet, even if it's just using the vacuum of the machine, without any cleaning solution, that may be all this needs, especially if you don't let the material dry. Plus, as you know, the sooner the better, especially near that beautiful wood.

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #18 – October 01, 2015, 04:32:49 pm

Quote from: LookingWest – October 01, 2015, 02:28:59 pm

I suppose the driver-side air horn is mounted up there in roughly the same area. Hadn't thought about the clearance lights or horn.

Ah - you just jogged my memory that someone on the forum had a leak at the horn. Search turned up Strange water leak

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #19 – October 01, 2015, 04:55:54 pm

Quote from: LookingWest – October 01, 2015, 04:19:11 pm

Hans, thank you!

All, if it ever stops raining, I'm eager to swing into action. However, the park where we're currently docked (perhaps that word is prophetic) sits in a floodplain. Talking to the office, we could have as much as 10" of rain coming. We may be moving the coach tonight.

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #20 – October 01, 2015, 05:11:35 pm

ON EDIT:

I Misread that we were discussing a GV, sorry, maybe what I had to do will apply to a BUS type alos. Next time Ill read more carefully.

Gary B

Since you have a GV also look at the trim strip that joins the roof and front cap. This is a source of leaks when the sealant dries out. Fix is to remove the entire strip across roof and clean out old sealant and reseal. I used silicon but others here have better suggestions about sealants that are even better. Removing that trim strip is a PITA, remove all the screws first, CAREFULLY pry up the full length of the strip and pick it up so that you don't bend it. Mark the forward position of it. I used a wire wheel to remove the old sealant from the strip and a wire brush and scraper to get it off the roof.
Then replace all screws with stainless steel, if you find rusted ones you will have to use slightly longer or larger ones. Although using larger ones can be a PITA as they will not easily fit thru the recessed holes in the strip and holes will probably have to be enlarged.
While you are up on that hot slippery roof look at the rear strip also.
You can probably guess how I know this.
Gary B

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #21 – October 01, 2015, 05:13:08 pm

Richard your welcome to come on down the mountain we have room and a hookup for you..
We are expecting rain also but probably less than the higher elevation...
Hans

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #22 – October 02, 2015, 08:22:42 pm

Gary, thank you!

Hans & Marjet, you're wonderful to offer. We're going to get there someday. Didn't see your note until too late, because I had to disconnect and prepare the coach to leave the floodplain.

Michelle, you're amazing. Wish I had your total recall!

Jennifer, you just sold us on the Bissell. We'll know on Monday, whether it works the same magic on our ceiling or not.

With thanks to all!

Re: What Seepage is This?

Reply #23 – October 02, 2015, 08:52:20 pm

Richard and Susan, where did you end up going to ?? Hope you stopped the leak? We had very little rain here today, although the weather network is saying we are supposed to get a lot more tomorrow, we shall see. Very often the rain seems to bypass our place. Keep safe, let us know how you are doing!

Affiliate Notice