Roof Leaks

emerystora

New member
Apr 6, 1999
14,608
2
1
>I don't have any roof leaks that I know of but since we are planning
>on doing a good bit of GMCing this summer I wanted to make sure by
>sealing the suspect areas. Are the rails along the sides a problem
>area for leaks? Should they be sealed to the roof? If so with what
>type of material. Thanks in advance.
>
>Chris Taylor
>76 PB
>Rochester, MN
>________________________________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

Some have had leaks with them but mine have never leaked. The end of
the rails where the front fiberglas cap meets the aluminum roof and
the sides (also on the back end) do sometimes have a problem. You
can remove the small cap that is fastened with one screw. Pull it
straight out as there is an aluminum insert that can break off of
you're not careful. You may need to put some sealant in the area
under this cap. There is a rather large hole there (1/2" dia or so)
where the panels meet. I used polyurethane sealant (Sikaflex) and it
has held for years.

The top rear corner of the driver's and passangers side windows are
also places where leaks tend to occur.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM
 
take a look at these pictures on how to find and patch leaks

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=128904&a=5541936

gene

>I don't have any roof leaks that I know of but since we are planning on
>doing a good bit of GMCing this summer I wanted to make sure by sealing the
>suspect areas. Are the rails along the sides a problem area for leaks?
>Should they be sealed to the roof? If so with what type of material.
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Chris Taylor
>76 PB
>Rochester, MN
>________________________________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com
>
>
Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/
 
Chris,

I've heard of GMCers using electric leaf blowers for this test.

Patrick

>
> Thanks Gene, I have seen these photos before. I suspect
> that I would have a tough time getting enough air flow to
> find all the leaks? But I guess this is a good place to
> start. Thanks.
 
I have a 10 hp leaf blower that I plan to use for this purpose. I just
need time when it is not raining and when I can get the darned blower
started.

Ron and Julie
73 Painted Desert

> Chris,
>
> I've heard of GMCers using electric leaf blowers for this test.
>
> Patrick
>

> >
> > Thanks Gene, I have seen these photos before. I suspect
> > that I would have a tough time getting enough air flow to
> > find all the leaks? But I guess this is a good place to
> > start. Thanks.
 
also turn on all your fans, ac, etc to draw in as much outside air as possible

gene

>Sounds like a plan. I have a craftman shop vac that doubles as a blower.
>It puts out a lot of air, hopefully I won't blow the windows out :).
>
>Thanks.
>
>
>>From:
>>Reply-To: gmcmotorhome
>>To: gmcmotorhome
>>Subject: RE: GMC: Roof Leaks
>>Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2000 10:20:37 -0500
>>
>>Chris,
>>
>>I've heard of GMCers using electric leaf blowers for this test.
>>
>>Patrick
>>

>> >
>> > Thanks Gene, I have seen these photos before. I suspect
>> > that I would have a tough time getting enough air flow to
>> > find all the leaks? But I guess this is a good place to
>> > start. Thanks.
>
>________________________________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com
>
>
Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/
 
If you put that sucker on the back pointed out, you might not need the 455 ??

gene

>I have a 10 hp leaf blower that I plan to use for this purpose. I just
>need time when it is not raining and when I can get the darned blower
>started.
>
>Ron and Julie
>73 Painted Desert
>

>
>> Chris,
>>
>> I've heard of GMCers using electric leaf blowers for this test.
>>
>> Patrick
>>

>> >
>> > Thanks Gene, I have seen these photos before. I suspect
>> > that I would have a tough time getting enough air flow to
>> > find all the leaks? But I guess this is a good place to
>> > start. Thanks.
>
>
Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/
 
Hook it up to the air intake...is that what they mean by a blown engine?

Ron and Julie

> If you put that sucker on the back pointed out, you might not need the 455 ??
>
> gene
>

> >I have a 10 hp leaf blower that I plan to use for this purpose. I just
> >need time when it is not raining and when I can get the darned blower
> >started.
> >
> >Ron and Julie
> >73 Painted Desert
> >

> >
> >> Chris,
> >>
> >> I've heard of GMCers using electric leaf blowers for this test.
> >>
> >> Patrick
> >>

> >> >
> >> > Thanks Gene, I have seen these photos before. I suspect
> >> > that I would have a tough time getting enough air flow to
> >> > find all the leaks? But I guess this is a good place to
> >> > start. Thanks.
> >
> >
> Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
> GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
> mr.erf
> http://www.california.com/~eagle/
 
I tried this but to no avail. Either they were not strong enough or I
have enough leaks to spread it around a bit. I even taped off the stove
vent and other roof vents.

Ron and the Omnicient Julie

> Leaf blowers would work but another approach is to turn on roof and
> engine A/C units and fans in order to pressurize the coach.
>
> Dave G.
>
> On Fri, 2 Jun 2000 10:20:37 -0500

> > Chris,
> >
> > I've heard of GMCers using electric leaf blowers for this test.
> >
> > Patrick
> >

> > >
> > > Thanks Gene, I have seen these photos before. I suspect
> > > that I would have a tough time getting enough air flow to
> > > find all the leaks? But I guess this is a good place to
> > > start. Thanks.
 
>I tried this but to no avail. Either they were not strong enough or I
>have enough leaks to spread it around a bit. I even taped off the stove
>vent and other roof vents.
>
>Ron and the Omnicient Julie
>

>
>> Leaf blowers would work but another approach is to turn on roof and
>> engine A/C units and fans in order to pressurize the coach.
>>

The Roof air routine will not work, the fans recycle the inside air,
unless there is a air makeup feature, most RV models that I have seen
do not have that. either way, the air is a low pressure bypass, so there
would not be enough presure to help. The dash air is only slightly better
but it must be in VENT setting to bring outside air ( or normal setting on
A/C ) and that too is a low pressure feature,

Jim Bounds uses a furnace or A/C blower mounted in the side window to
pressure test, but I believe that a leaf blower fitted with a flexible hose
will do a good job, He did our coach last year, but I see a new leak this
spring , and I,m going to pressure test it with my leaf blower to see if
the leak is where I think it is. ( around the rear hatch seal)
Its an interesting test to watch..
 
Leaf blowers would work but another approach is to turn on roof and
engine A/C units and fans in order to pressurize the coach.

Dave G.

On Fri, 2 Jun 2000 10:20:37 -0500
writes:
> Chris,
>
> I've heard of GMCers using electric leaf blowers for this test.
>
> Patrick
>

> >
> > Thanks Gene, I have seen these photos before. I suspect
> > that I would have a tough time getting enough air flow to
> > find all the leaks? But I guess this is a good place to
> > start. Thanks.
 
Ron's next project:
build a supercharger using all the on-board vacuum cleaner components!

Peter
77 Eleganza II
Colorado

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "RONALD KAZI"
To:
Sent: Friday, June 02, 2000 10:02 AM
Subject: Re: GMC: Roof Leaks

> Hook it up to the air intake...is that what they mean by a blown engine?
>
> Ron and Julie
>

>
> > If you put that sucker on the back pointed out, you might not need the
455 ??
> >
> > gene
> >

> > >I have a 10 hp leaf blower that I plan to use for this purpose. I just
> > >need time when it is not raining and when I can get the darned blower
> > >started.
> > >
> > >Ron and Julie
> > >73 Painted Desert
> > >

> > >
> > >> Chris,
> > >>
> > >> I've heard of GMCers using electric leaf blowers for this test.
> > >>
> > >> Patrick
> > >>

> > >> >
> > >> > Thanks Gene, I have seen these photos before. I suspect
> > >> > that I would have a tough time getting enough air flow to
> > >> > find all the leaks? But I guess this is a good place to
> > >> > start. Thanks.
> > >
> > >
> > Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
> > GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
> > mr.erf
> > http://www.california.com/~eagle/
>
>
 
This is after I figure how to use the ElectroSan to drive the direct injection.

Ron

> Ron's next project:
> build a supercharger using all the on-board vacuum cleaner components!
>
> Peter
> 77 Eleganza II
> Colorado
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "RONALD KAZI"
> To:
> Sent: Friday, June 02, 2000 10:02 AM
> Subject: Re: GMC: Roof Leaks
>
> > Hook it up to the air intake...is that what they mean by a blown engine?
> >
> > Ron and Julie
> >

> >
> > > If you put that sucker on the back pointed out, you might not need the
> 455 ??
> > >
> > > gene
> > >

> > > >I have a 10 hp leaf blower that I plan to use for this purpose. I just
> > > >need time when it is not raining and when I can get the darned blower
> > > >started.
> > > >
> > > >Ron and Julie
> > > >73 Painted Desert
> > > >

> > > >
> > > >> Chris,
> > > >>
> > > >> I've heard of GMCers using electric leaf blowers for this test.
> > > >>
> > > >> Patrick
> > > >>

> > > >> >
> > > >> > Thanks Gene, I have seen these photos before. I suspect
> > > >> > that I would have a tough time getting enough air flow to
> > > >> > find all the leaks? But I guess this is a good place to
> > > >> > start. Thanks.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
> > > GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
> > > mr.erf
> > > http://www.california.com/~eagle/
> >
> >
 
The idea of pressurizing the coach for leak test is a wonderful thought. My
pb does not leak at this time but I sure would like to know where those
critters get into the coach over the winter.
Chuck Sankey
Central Ohio

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "RONALD KAZI"
To:
Sent: Friday, June 02, 2000 10:26 AM
Subject: Re: GMC: Roof Leaks

> I have a 10 hp leaf blower that I plan to use for this purpose. I just
> need time when it is not raining and when I can get the darned blower
> started.
>
> Ron and Julie
> 73 Painted Desert
>

>
> > Chris,
> >
> > I've heard of GMCers using electric leaf blowers for this test.
> >
> > Patrick
> >

> > >
> > > Thanks Gene, I have seen these photos before. I suspect
> > > that I would have a tough time getting enough air flow to
> > > find all the leaks? But I guess this is a good place to
> > > start. Thanks.
>
>
 
>The idea of pressurizing the coach for leak test is a wonderful thought. My
>pb does not leak at this time but I sure would like to know where those
>critters get into the coach over the winter.
>Chuck Sankey
>Central Ohio
>

Chuck - little critters get in via several places. First you should
put a screen over the blower intake opening under the passenger side
front access door. This is a rectangular opening on the front of the
heater box. I used 1/4" opening hardware cloth.

The other main place when they get in is around the pipes going down
to the sewage holding tank. Go to Scott Nehoda's site and look for
"mouse holes" in his pictures.
http://members.aol.com/adohen2/page/index.htm

They may be a few other places under the frame when then can get into
cracks and holes going up into the motorhome but these are the main
places.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM
 
>
>May I add the grommet around the shore power line? That was my big
>problem. Back to work.
>
>Take Care
>Arch

Good Point Arch -- The little buggers like to climb the cord and go
into the GMC that way. I don't know how you fastened it but I just
put a spiral hose clamp around the cord to hold the plastic grommet
in place. Seems to hold fine.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM