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Topic: Roof mount A/C units leaking. (Read 500 times) previous topic - next topic

Roof mount A/C units leaking.

Has anyone changed the gaskets on the original roof mount A/C units in the 1997 U270?  Just as soon as I deployed to Afghanistan they both started leaking here in Huntsville Alabama so am looking for either a short term fix or gasket replacement as the seem to be leaking enough to stain the carpet around the ducting and are dripping on the floor during heavy rains.  Think I will have to hire someone to do the work as I am 5 months from returning and my wife can't do them by herself...Any idea of who might do call out work in the Huntsville/Athens area and how much work is involved?
Carl and Kathleen
Killeen Texas
1997 U270

Re: Roof mount A/C units leaking.

Reply #1 –
My son and I replaced the gaskets in my '81 Fortravel  but it was not ducted but very easy to change. Undid bolts from the inside while he lifted it change gasket and set back down. That stopped the leak. If the bolts are accessible then it would take going on the roof to complete the gasket change. Bought the gaskets at CW.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Roof mount A/C units leaking.

Reply #2 –
Carl, have the bolts accessible inside ever been snugged down? Not sure how to access your bolts, but usually there are four bolts holding the AC down, and they do compress the gasket between the roof & the AC.
Hopefully someone will chime in that has the same year coach as yours and tell SWMBO how to check the bolts.
I know ours leaked until I checked and I found the bolt heads were about 3/4" away from holding/compressing. Snugged them up & no more
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Roof mount A/C units leaking.

Reply #3 –
There have been some storms in that area with some heavy rain. If nothing else

a tarp from Target and many bungie straps would keep it safe until you can

find a better repair. Thank you four service to our Country and hopefully some-

one that is close will come to your aid, wish  I were closer.

Be safe and hope you are home soon.

Carter Langford
Nacogdoches, Texas

Re: Roof mount A/C units leaking.

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Carl Cox –
Has anyone changed the gaskets on the original roof mount A/C units in the 1997 U270?  Just as soon as I deployed to Afghanistan they both started leaking here in Huntsville Alabama so am looking for either a short term fix or gasket replacement as the seem to be leaking enough to stain the carpet around the ducting and are dripping on the floor during heavy rains.  Think I will have to hire someone to do the work as I am 5 months from returning and my wife can't do them by herself...Any idea of who might do call out work in the Huntsville/Athens area and how much work is involved?
Carl, it would be unusual for the both of them to leak at the same time, more likely that there are cracks in the AC covers, see if she can find someone to get on the roof and check them, maybe we have a forum member in the area.
 Thanks for your service.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: Roof mount A/C units leaking.

Reply #5 –
Job is not difficult, basically throw a sheet of plywood on the roof so you have a place to set the roof-top A/C unit while cleaning off the old gasket material.

Remove the 4 bolts (from inside the coach) that secure the two sections of the A/C.

With two even small people, lifting the roof-top unit is easy.  It is NOT heavy, just bulky.

I am sure you can find some U tubes on doing it.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Roof mount A/C units leaking.

Reply #6 –
Carl, have the DW ask a friendly neighbour who is a bit handy with tools to take off the vents on inside the coach (ceiling panel) and under that are the bolts that need tighening down a bit but not too much. I am sure that will be all you need to do and at the worst they will learn what bolts need to be removed so the unit can be removed on roof if a new gasket is needed.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Roof mount A/C units leaking.

Reply #7 –
AC unit weighs about 75-80 lbs and there are usually two foam gaskets. One gasket goes around the 14" opening and the other straight foam gasket supports the rear end of the AC.
At least this is the way it is on a Coleman AC.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Roof mount A/C units leaking.

Reply #8 –
Quote
Carl, it would be unusual for the both of them to leak at the same time

It happens. Both were leaking in heavy rain on my 270. I can't believe I don't have any photos to share but as Haygarth said, your wife and her helper will see them when they take off the inside cover.
jor
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