AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

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AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

August 22, 2020, 10:14:30 am

I just discovered my front AC is leaking water to INSIDE the rv.
It is much more humid here in AZ than usual and it has to be condensation. I see water on the ceiling.
Where to start? Any suggestions?

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #1 – August 22, 2020, 10:18:50 am

Take the top cover off and blow out with air,look for a blockage near the drain,clean the inside also,clean the filter,go from there.

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #2 – August 22, 2020, 10:21:39 am

Take off the inside grill and look for any leaks in the mounting gasket. That gasket can shrink over time. Be careful not to over tighten the AC. It only takes a few foot pounds to have an adequate seal.

Take off the outside cover and check for any clogs from dirt, leaves, wasp, and algae that might prevent water from draining the correct way out of the unit.

I also run a house sized dehumidifier all the time in my coach. It makes everything so much more comfortable and It also keeps any possible condensation from the temperature differences down to an absolute minimum.

Hope this helps.

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #3 – August 22, 2020, 10:30:51 am

Yes, first thing is to determine if the leak is directly front the EVAPORATOR or whether it is coming from the condensate that is on the roof and is leaking past the A/C to roof compressible GASKET.

If gasket, yes, you can try to tighten the 4 bolts that will compress it. But, if the gasket is compresses over 50%, it has failed and needs to be replaced. A standard RV item and fairly simple to replace-- even easier with two people as the roof-top unit is not that heavy, but is bulky. A piece of plywood (can be thin, scrap, etc) to set the roof unit on while cleaning off the old gasket and putting on the new one keeps from scratching the roof.

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #4 – August 22, 2020, 10:50:18 am

If you have the original Penguin A/C units, the links below may be of interest. I had a pesky leak from our rear unit, and made two Forum posts covering my first and second attempts at a solution.

A/C Water Dripping On Bed - PROBLEM SOLVED

Penguin A/C Water Drip Fix

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #5 – August 22, 2020, 11:08:18 am

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – August 22, 2020, 10:50:18 am

If you have the original Penguin A/C units, the links below may be of interest. I had a pesky leak from our rear unit, and made two Forum posts covering my first and second attempts at a solution.

A/C Water Dripping On Bed - PROBLEM SOLVED

Penguin A/C Water Drip Fix

I'm pretty sure mine are original but they are Coleman. Water is water though!
2 trips up and down the ladder and I have the outer cover off. It's 92 already with 41% humidity.

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #6 – August 22, 2020, 11:13:02 am

Just to be sure,it's leaking when it's running not when raining,correct?

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #7 – August 22, 2020, 11:17:42 am

We rejoice and sing IF our humidity gets to 41%! You are very lucky. It is currently 69% RH and everyone is taking about how nice it feels outside.

Sounds like you are in the right track to fix this one.

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #8 – August 22, 2020, 11:21:02 am

A simple way to replace the gasket, can be done by 1 guy: Remove the inside cover, disconnect electric plug, and remove the bolts holding the AC on. Go up on the roof and with the shroud off ROLL the unit onto it's side. Scrap off the gasket and replace with either one you bought or the butyl rubber roll from Home Depot. Then carefully roll the unit back into the hole and reassemble. You'll barely break a sweat. Kidding.

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #9 – August 22, 2020, 11:45:35 am

Quote from: John44 – August 22, 2020, 11:13:02 am

Just to be sure,it's leaking when it's running not when raining,correct?

Correct.

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #10 – August 22, 2020, 12:05:48 pm

Quote from: Dakota Slim – August 22, 2020, 11:45:35 am

Correct.

That would lead one to look at the condensate path within the A/C rather than once it hits the roof.

Said another way, the roof gasket would not be high on the list, as rain would get in were the gasket the primary issue.

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #11 – August 22, 2020, 12:09:33 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – August 22, 2020, 12:05:48 pm

That would lead one to look at the condensate path within the A/C rather than once it hits the roof.

Said another way, the roof gasket would not be high on the list, as rain would get in were the gasket the primary issue.

I'm taking a break and absorbing all this wonderful information. I am parked in a grove of huge salt cedar trees which are now shedding millions of tiny white objects. They may be seeds. They also shed millions of long soft needles, especially when the wind blows. We had a huge wind storm a couple nights ago and the wind was coming from the rear of my RV. The ground, as well as the top of my coach was covered with this debris.
I presume some of this debris made it into the channel where the condensate flows.

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #12 – August 22, 2020, 12:14:19 pm

Quote from: Dakota Slim – August 22, 2020, 12:09:33 pm

I presume some of this debris made it into the channel where the condensate flows.

Possible, but not likely. If all the shrouding inside your rooftop A/C unit is intact, the evaporator coils and the drainage channel under them should never see "outside" air. Only air circulated from inside the coach should pass through the evaporator.

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #13 – August 22, 2020, 12:39:47 pm

Here is a photo. From the inside, the water appears to be coming from the right (or passenger) side of the AC unit, and outside of the actual unit itself. There was, is, a small puddle of water on the roof at the right front of the ac unit.

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #14 – August 22, 2020, 12:44:41 pm

Try adjusting the level of your coach so that the condensate does not pool (remain) on the roof at the base of the unit. If that stops the leakage, then the roof gasket is the likely suspect.

It may take a while for the interior leak (dampness) to dry up before you can be sure you have found the source.

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #15 – August 22, 2020, 01:05:00 pm

From the top, both front and rear AC's. The front one (no shroud) is where the leak is coming from and it doesn't seem to drain as well as the rear (with shroud). I rarely used these AC units until this year and the humidity has never been as bad as it is right now.

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #16 – August 22, 2020, 01:15:20 pm

On our coach also the front unit tends to collect more condensate/rain water around the base. One of the drawbacks to the flat roof on older GV coaches. However, if the roof gasket is in good shape, water pooling around the base should not cause a problem, other than ugly stains.

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #17 – August 22, 2020, 01:28:33 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – August 22, 2020, 01:15:20 pm

On our coach also the front unit tends to collect more condensate/rain water around the base. One of the drawbacks to the flat roof on older GV coaches. However, if the roof gasket is in good shape, water pooling around the base should not cause a problem, other than ugly stains.

That's what I am thinking. Next up I'll try to snug up the gasket and then replace it if that doesn't stop the problem.
I've never had a problem with rain so I'm wondering why now. Maybe the 120+ temps I've been experiencing this summer have something to do with it.

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #18 – August 22, 2020, 03:36:19 pm

I just replaced my AC gasket the other day due to water on the bed. Pulling the inside cover I could see the fan blowing water out of the reservoir where it pooled in the inside cover then leaked on bed. I checked on the roof and could see the gasket very compressed on the rear of the AC unit. Bought a new gasket on amazon & installed it. No more water on the bed. Not sure how the compressed gasket on the rear cause the reservoir to overflow but there you are.

Removing the unit by myself intimidated me a little but it was pretty easy. Pulled the interior cover and the 3 bolts that held the AC to the roof. Cut off circuit breaker to the air and disconnected the ac and control wires. Went on roof, removed the cover and tilted AC on its side. The gasket just pulled right off without even using a putty knife. Cleaned the roof with denatured alcohol, stuck the gasket on the AC and lifted back on the opening. You do need to be careful with this part. You don't want to slide the gasket around the roof. You can easily damage it. 2 people on top would make it much easier. You do need a person inside to help you line up the gasket with the hole. Then just button up everything inside. Do be careful not to compress the gasket too much when tightening the bolts inside.

Some pics. Sorry no before pics. Didn't think to take them till after I had it off.

see ya
ken

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #19 – August 22, 2020, 04:07:56 pm

Quote from: kenhat – August 22, 2020, 03:36:19 pm

Do be careful not to compress the gasket too much when tightening the bolts inside.

I think I saw somewhere you should tighten the bolts until you compress the new gasket to 1/2 of it's original thickness.

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #20 – August 22, 2020, 04:33:27 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – August 22, 2020, 04:07:56 pm

I think I saw somewhere you should tighten the bolts until you compress the new gasket to 1/2 of it's original thickness.

Correct.

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #21 – August 22, 2020, 06:26:16 pm

Quote from: Dakota Slim – August 22, 2020, 12:09:33 pm

I'm taking a break and absorbing all this wonderful information. I am parked in a grove of huge salt cedar trees which are now shedding millions of tiny white objects. They may be seeds. They also shed millions of long soft needles, especially when the wind blows. We had a huge wind storm a couple nights ago and the wind was coming from the rear of my RV. The ground, as well as the top of my coach was covered with this debris.
I presume some of this debris made it into the channel where the condensate flows.

Something to look at. with all the debris coming down the drain where the water goes under the unit out on the roof may be plugged. I had this happen one time and used a bit of coat hanger wire to probe the little drains. The only problem is when it broke free and flowed out onto the roof where I was laying trying to see the drains (look for water deposits) it was realey, realey cold.

Bill

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #22 – August 22, 2020, 08:03:41 pm

I don't know if it is applicable to the AC units, would thinks so, but you might let the unit sit a a normal flat orientation for some time (8-10 hours) prior to starting it back up after tilting it to the side.

Don't know where the oil in the system has migrated to while on its side.

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #23 – August 22, 2020, 08:25:45 pm

Quote from: Eric & Alena + 3 – August 22, 2020, 08:03:41 pm

I don't know if it is applicable to the AC units, would thinks so, but you might let the unit sit a a normal flat orientation for some time (8-10 hours) prior to starting it back up after tilting it to the side.

Don't know where the oil in the system has migrated to while on its side.

Never hear that one!

Can't imagine pulling into a CG when it is 90+ and WAITING to turn on the A/C.

Re: AC It Leaking Water To INSIDE The Coach

Reply #24 – August 22, 2020, 09:08:59 pm

When a refrigeration compressor is not in its running position the rule that my customers used was to match the amount of time it was on its side or upside down with it back in the operating position. That allowed the oil to return to where it came from. If you were to get oil in the compression chamber and start it right up hydraulic lock could occur.

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