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Topic: Water Leak Below Battery Pad (Read 498 times) previous topic - next topic

Water Leak Below Battery Pad

I have a slow water drip coming from the undercarriage under the battery pack and close to the refrigerator vent under the rig. There is no water above the bottom from what I can see but I did notice the propane tank closest to the battery bay door (right behind the battery cluster) is leaning forward as if the legs went through whatever it is sitting on. Any ideas? What water lines are down there?

1989 Grand Villa Private Coach. Side hall if that makes a difference on where things are.
1989 GV Private Coach. DD Pusher/Allison
Stay Free And Safe
Kennyb

Re: Water Leak Below Battery Pad

Reply #1
Any chance for a picture?
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Water Leak Below Battery Pad

Reply #2
I stuck my fingers into the gap and I think the metal framing is breaking up because I felt rust chips when I was trying to see if I could feel the source of the leak. Apparently this has been going on for a while because I also noticed a square cutout of the fiberglass that was reattached and caused.
1989 GV Private Coach. DD Pusher/Allison
Stay Free And Safe
Kennyb

Re: Water Leak Below Battery Pad

Reply #3
Looks like major bulkhead/basement structure damage.
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: Water Leak Below Battery Pad

Reply #4
Those photos are painful to look at. 
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Water Leak Below Battery Pad

Reply #5
Great...Im supposed to be driving it up to Michigan in a few weeks. Do I need to worry about the bottom falling out while I am driving down the road?
1989 GV Private Coach. DD Pusher/Allison
Stay Free And Safe
Kennyb

Re: Water Leak Below Battery Pad

Reply #6
It will be hard for anyone to advise you on the best course of action without peeling back the bottom fiberglass skin and getting a good look at the metal structure.  Just from your two photos there does appear to be serious compromise of the supporting frame members under the tank.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Water Leak Below Battery Pad

Reply #7
It seems the be the section right in front of the battery bay. The actual "L" bracket doesn't seem to have a gap.
1989 GV Private Coach. DD Pusher/Allison
Stay Free And Safe
Kennyb

Re: Water Leak Below Battery Pad

Reply #8
Just from your two photos there does appear to be serious compromise of the supporting frame members under the propane tank..

Looks to be an air tank breaking through the bottom rather than a propane tank.
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: Water Leak Below Battery Pad

Reply #9
That rear bulkhead IS compromised.  No idea how badly.

It is the condition of the box beam above the FG floor that is compromised, not the angle.
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: Water Leak Below Battery Pad

Reply #10
Kenny,

I'm putting a link below to a thread where a major reconstruction of the coach lower floor structure was performed.  I'm not saying this coach is necessarily the same as yours, or that yours would require this much work.  I just want to give you an idea of what the metal frame construction might look like in the area where you observe the water leaks and "sagging" of the bottom skin.  It appears (from your photos) that there has been some amateur work done on your bulkhead sometime in the past.

Bulkhead Repair (Partial Floor Replacement)

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Water Leak Below Battery Pad

Reply #11
I'm sorry this happened. You mentioned driving it. I don't think I would until it's repaired. Best wishes.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Water Leak Below Battery Pad

Reply #12
I didn't know 1989 GVs had the bottom enclosed. Ours doesn't. But ours is an Oshkosh chassis so maybe that is why.
Looking at the pictures and seeing the condition and combination of what looks like aluminum siding, fiberglass, and lots of caulk makes me wonder if this bottom enclosure was NOT factory.
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: Water Leak Below Battery Pad

Reply #13
Where are you,maybe someone can take a look at it.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.