Looking for a leak

H

heinz wittenbecher

New member
Mar 1, 1998
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Well... I've been dry for a few years but no l,onger, probably leaking the
front where cap meets roof. Or it could be the side window area. Or an
antenna that got mangled by some tree branches.

All I can tell is that the corner behind the pilots seat gets moisture. Not
always, so it's somewhat "how parked" dependent. (No I don't always park
level :-) Half a bubble in any direction is close enough for me [g]).

Anyways, I'm planning to use a fan to pressurize the inside and then do the
soap spray bottle trick. I'm just wondering if anyone has tried that without
a hurricane force capable fan, i.e. just normal 24 incher type. I do expect
some leakage around windows but hoping that the leakage will not be
sufficient to beat the goal.

I'm hoping that the 2 fantastics blowing inward and the 24 inch housefan
ducted to the window would do it.

Has anyone tried this and found it sufficient?

TIA - Heinz.
 
Heinz,

I tried to pressurize by simultaneously running the roof AC, Fantastic Fan and
engine blower but could not get any bubbles.

With regard to the wet area behind pilots seat, there were three leaks in that
area in my coach:

1. upper/trailing edge of side glass where it meets the window frame
2. the rivet which secures the leading edge of the entry door's drip rail
(mine's a 23').
3. upper entry door hinge where the hinge enters a slot in the side panel and is
bolted to the door frame. (There is a black rubber gasket here but it did not
seal until I caulked behind it.)

When I would park a little off-level, it seemed like the entire roof area would
drain down the leading edge of the entry door. The hinge was the biggest culprit
but even the tiny opening in the center of the rivet would let in an amazing
amount of water in a downpour.

Richard
(dry in Colorado-finally!)

- ----- Original Message -----
From: Heinz Wittenbecher
To: gmcnet
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 1999 4:29 PM
Subject: GMC: Looking for a leak

> Well... I've been dry for a few years but no l,onger, probably leaking the
> front where cap meets roof. Or it could be the side window area. Or an
> antenna that got mangled by some tree branches.
>
> All I can tell is that the corner behind the pilots seat gets moisture. Not
> always, so it's somewhat "how parked" dependent. (No I don't always park
> level :-) Half a bubble in any direction is close enough for me [g]).
>
> Anyways, I'm planning to use a fan to pressurize the inside and then do the
> soap spray bottle trick. I'm just wondering if anyone has tried that without
> a hurricane force capable fan, i.e. just normal 24 incher type. I do expect
> some leakage around windows but hoping that the leakage will not be
> sufficient to beat the goal.
>
> I'm hoping that the 2 fantastics blowing inward and the 24 inch housefan
> ducted to the window would do it.
>
> Has anyone tried this and found it sufficient?
>
> TIA - Heinz.
>
>
 
Are you referring to the standard AM/FM antenna centered over the front cap? If
so, I would like to know how to remove it, and whether or not it can be done
from above. (I don't want to take down the headliner.)

I would like to replace mine, too, but was afraid that I would have a real mess
on my hands if I got it loose but not completely off.

Richard

> The leak that drove me crazy was one where the antenna shaft meets
> the base.........................................Think I will put on a new
antenna.
>
> Take Care
> Arch
>
 
Heinz:

All you need is a leaf blower stuck inside either the dirver or passenger
seat slider window with a towel stuffed around the nozzle to seal up the
opening, and let her rip.

Paul Bartz

From: Heinz Wittenbecher
Sent: 8/24/99 6:29 PM
Subject: GMC: Looking for a leak

Well... I've been dry for a few years but no l,onger, probably leaking
the
front where cap meets roof. Or it could be the side window area. Or an
antenna that got mangled by some tree branches.

All I can tell is that the corner behind the pilots seat gets moisture.
Not
always, so it's somewhat "how parked" dependent. (No I don't always park
level :-) Half a bubble in any direction is close enough for me [g]).

Anyways, I'm planning to use a fan to pressurize the inside and then do
the
soap spray bottle trick. I'm just wondering if anyone has tried that
without
a hurricane force capable fan, i.e. just normal 24 incher type. I do
expect
some leakage around windows but hoping that the leakage will not be
sufficient to beat the goal.

I'm hoping that the 2 fantastics blowing inward and the 24 inch housefan
ducted to the window would do it.

Has anyone tried this and found it sufficient?

TIA - Heinz.
 
Thanks Paul,

A leafblower is not in my inventory. We have more pine needles than leaves
around here :-)

But I guess that should mean my 24 inch turbofan might work.

Thanks
Heinz

>
> All you need is a leaf blower stuck inside either the dirver or passenger
> seat slider window with a towel stuffed around the nozzle to seal up the
> opening, and let her rip.
>
> Paul Bartz
>
> From: Heinz Wittenbecher
> Sent: 8/24/99 6:29 PM
> Subject: GMC: Looking for a leak
>
> Well... I've been dry for a few years but no l,onger, probably leaking
> the
> front where cap meets roof. Or it could be the side window area. Or an
> antenna that got mangled by some tree branches.
>
> All I can tell is that the corner behind the pilots seat gets moisture.
> Not
> always, so it's somewhat "how parked" dependent. (No I don't always park
> level :-) Half a bubble in any direction is close enough for me [g]).
>
> Anyways, I'm planning to use a fan to pressurize the inside and then do
> the
> soap spray bottle trick. I'm just wondering if anyone has tried that
> without
> a hurricane force capable fan, i.e. just normal 24 incher type. I do
> expect
> some leakage around windows but hoping that the leakage will not be
> sufficient to beat the goal.
>
> I'm hoping that the 2 fantastics blowing inward and the 24 inch housefan
> ducted to the window would do it.
>
> Has anyone tried this and found it sufficient?
>
> TIA - Heinz.
>
>
 
- -snip-
>
>I'm hoping that the 2 fantastics blowing inward and the 24 inch housefan
>ducted to the window would do it.
>
>Has anyone tried this and found it sufficient?
>
>TIA - Heinz.
>

Well I did and thought that it was enough. I knew about the small leaks
around the windshield and planned to have them fixed in Alb at the rally.
BUT, we found evidence of others. That coupled with windsield problems made
me divert 1200 miles to visit Jim Bounds. I have to tell you that his
squirrel cage fan found leaks I didn't know about. It's unbelievable! The
pressure combined with volume found BIG leaks that my other fans didn't.

FWIW.

Henry
 
Now I know what to do with an old furnace blower I
have. I'm going to build a plywood bracket to allow
me to attach it to a window in my coach. That should
duplicate the setup Jim bounds has. Now if I can only
find a way to make bubbles I also need to figure
out how to fix the leaks that I find.
Richard Waters '76 PB, TROY, MI

> -snip-
> >
> >I'm hoping that the 2 fantastics blowing inward and the 24 inch housefan
> >ducted to the window would do it.
> >
> >Has anyone tried this and found it sufficient?
> >
> >TIA - Heinz.
> >
>
> Well I did and thought that it was enough. I knew about the small leaks
> around the windshield and planned to have them fixed in Alb at the rally.
> BUT, we found evidence of others. That coupled with windsield problems made
> me divert 1200 miles to visit Jim Bounds. I have to tell you that his
> squirrel cage fan found leaks I didn't know about. It's unbelievable! The
> pressure combined with volume found BIG leaks that my other fans didn't.
>
> FWIW.
>
> Henry
 
>
> Now if I can only find a way to make bubbles

That's easy - a couple squirts of dish detergent in a quart spray bottle(I
like the adjustable nozzle refillable type from Home Depot). Fill the
bottle with water slowly to reduce foaming. Screw on top and shake to mix.
Works great on all but the smallest leaks(like those pesky air line
gremlins) - for that you need the gas leak detector.

> I also need to figure out how to fix the leaks that I find.

That's not as easy :o)

Patrick
 
Richard:

Why mess with an "old piece of junk", (excuse my characterization of your
property), why not just use a leaf blower like I suggested the other day??
You got one of those, don't ya????

Paul Bartz

From: Richard Waters [mailto:digitek]
Sent: Thursday, August 26, 1999 10:29 AM
To: gmcmotorhome
Subject: Re: GMC: Looking for a leak

Now I know what to do with an old furnace blower I
have. I'm going to build a plywood bracket to allow
me to attach it to a window in my coach. That should
duplicate the setup Jim bounds has. Now if I can only
find a way to make bubbles I also need to figure
out how to fix the leaks that I find.
Richard Waters '76 PB, TROY, MI

> -snip-
> >
> >I'm hoping that the 2 fantastics blowing inward and the 24 inch housefan
> >ducted to the window would do it.
> >
> >Has anyone tried this and found it sufficient?
> >
> >TIA - Heinz.
> >
>
> Well I did and thought that it was enough. I knew about the small leaks
> around the windshield and planned to have them fixed in Alb at the rally.
> BUT, we found evidence of others. That coupled with windsield problems
made
> me divert 1200 miles to visit Jim Bounds. I have to tell you that his
> squirrel cage fan found leaks I didn't know about. It's unbelievable! The
> pressure combined with volume found BIG leaks that my other fans didn't.
>
> FWIW.
>
> Henry
 
>
> Why mess with an "old piece of junk", (excuse my
> characterization of your
> property), why not just use a leaf blower like I suggested
> the other day??

I can think of a few reasons:

Noise - a squirrel cage fan will be much quieter.

Duty Cycle - the leaf blower is really not meant to run constantly and its
small motor generates lots of heat. I wouldn't have any concerns about
running a squirrel cage for hours at a clip.

Volume - the leaf blower mainly concentrates air flow to get high velocity.
For high volume, you can't beat a squirrel cage.

Lastly, because he already has one?

Dif'rent strokes...

My $.02,
Patrick
 
>
> Hey guys my leaf blower runs off a 7hp gas engine. It's
> called a Billy Goat.
> Pretty heavy! However, if you are looking for a way to
> either implode or
> explode your GMC, and not worry about leaks, it would be the ticket:).



Patrick
 
Guys

Put the water in first, then the dish drops and you cut down on the fill time.
I personally like a squirt bottle and flood the suspected area. I find even
small leaks with that (air line). Clear silicone?

> >
> > Now if I can only find a way to make bubbles
>
> That's easy - a couple squirts of dish detergent in a quart spray bottle(I
> like the adjustable nozzle refillable type from Home Depot). Fill the
> bottle with water slowly to reduce foaming. Screw on top and shake to mix.
> Works great on all but the smallest leaks(like those pesky air line
> gremlins) - for that you need the gas leak detector.
>
> > I also need to figure out how to fix the leaks that I find.
>
> That's not as easy :o)
>
> Patrick
 
For those who might be interested, there is an electronic leak detector on the
market (I purchased one decades ago). An ultrasonic xmtr is placed inside the
coach, then a detector which converts the sound to audible frequencies is used
outside the coach. The ultrasonic waves find their way through all the nooks &
crannies & are detected w/a probe outside.

> -snip-
> >
> >I'm hoping that the 2 fantastics blowing inward and the 24 inch housefan
> >ducted to the window would do it.
> >
> >Has anyone tried this and found it sufficient?
> >
> >TIA - Heinz.
> >
>
> Well I did and thought that it was enough. I knew about the small leaks
> around the windshield and planned to have them fixed in Alb at the rally.
> BUT, we found evidence of others. That coupled with windsield problems made
> me divert 1200 miles to visit Jim Bounds. I have to tell you that his
> squirrel cage fan found leaks I didn't know about. It's unbelievable! The
> pressure combined with volume found BIG leaks that my other fans didn't.
>
> FWIW.
>
> Henry
 
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