Help with '66 window leaks

[mommythrice]

I have 4 windows leaking... and every one is leaking at the top, right-hand corner about where the window arm attaches. I've replaced the seals on all the windows, but that only seals the sides and bottom. There must be something at the top of the window that needs sealed, too.

Any ideas?

[Rolland]

I put drip rails over all the widows on our 67(even though I was told by several that it wasn't necessary) but I have no leaks


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[mommythrice]

Originally Posted by Rolland

I put drip rails over all the widows on our 67(even though I was told by several that it wasn't necessary) but I have no leaks


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What's a drip rail?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by mommythrice

What's a drip rail?

If you install drip rails over the windows, you ruin the looks.

If a new gasket was installed, was it placed as close to the top of the window frame as you can?

If so, let me know, and I will then tell you how to seal the hinge, which will indeed stop the leaks, provided that the correct gasket was properly installed.

Andy

[Rolland]

Vintage and a couple others sell them-It is a formed piece of aluminum that you rivet and seal above each window, then the water doesn't run down on our Corning windows and leak through the hinge-I polished ours before putting them on


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[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Rolland

Vintage and a couple others sell them-It is a formed piece of aluminum that you rivet and seal above each window, then the water doesn't run down on our Corning windows and leak through the hinge-I polished ours before putting them on


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The 66, 67 and 68 window leaks, are an easy fix, without installing any drip caps.

Thousands of owners will attest to that.

Andy

[mommythrice]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

If you install drip rails over the windows, you ruin the looks.

If a new gasket was installed, was it placed as close to the top of the window frame as you can?

If so, let me know, and I will then tell you how to seal the hinge, which will indeed stop the leaks, provided that the correct gasket was properly installed.

Andy

Yes, I think we did a good job on the gaskets. The leak seems to be coming from the top/hinge. I can see it dripping from the top just next to the arm/crank/thingy. There must be some sort of sealant along the top, too. Right?

[Forrest]

In the attached photos you will see the problem you are likely having and where to apply sealant. Remove your screen, and look at the upper left and right corners. You might have to find the correct angle to see an opening, but as in the photo light will shine through. That is where to apply sealant. The second photo shows a slight amount of sealant squeezing outside - leave that, do not wipe down or trim off. That should take care, provided as Andy said, your gaskets go all the way up to the top of the window casing.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by mommythrice

Yes, I think we did a good job on the gaskets. The leak seems to be coming from the top/hinge. I can see it dripping from the top just next to the arm/crank/thingy. There must be some sort of sealant along the top, too. Right?

The issue then is the hinge itself, which wears in time.

The fix is easy.

You will have to open and close each window, several times, so be prepared.

Clean the outside of the hinge, very well.

Open the window as far as you can.

Clean the backside of the hinge, very well.

Make sure that the hinge is completely dry.

Open and close the window to make sure it's dry.

Then with the window open, apply a bead of clear silicone sealer the entire length of the hinge from the backside.

Close the window.

Apply some silicone sealer on the entire length of the outside of the hinge.

Do not allow the sealer to set.

Open and close the window every 30 to 45 seconds, until the silicone has cured.

Scrape off the excess silicone.

What you have done it compensated for the wear within the hinge.

Try this on one window, so that you get the feel of how easy this is to do.

After a day or two, water test that window, and report back to this Forums the results, that I assure you will be very positive. If not, then the attention should be placed back on the gasket.

Andy

[ALANSD]

I used this fix and it worked on my 66 for two years, then had to be redone. Opening and closing the windows many times causes the drips to return. Good tip on removing the screen too...

I added a drip cap over my front window, I like the looks of it.

[mommythrice]

I wondered if someone was going to use the "S" word, but I didn't expect it from an expert. My husband will be thrilled. He's just been dying to use silicone on that Airstream somewhere!

Will give it a try when the rain stops and we dry out a little. Thanks for the help!

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by ALANSD

I used this fix and it worked on my 66 for two years, then had to be redone. Opening and closing the windows many times causes the drips to return. Good tip on removing the screen too...

I added a drip cap over my front window, I like the looks of it.

Two years is not bad.

That's better than some things.

Andy

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by mommythrice

I wondered if someone was going to use the "S" word, but I didn't expect it from an expert. My husband will be thrilled. He's just been dying to use silicone on that Airstream somewhere!

Will give it a try when the rain stops and we dry out a little. Thanks for the help!

"S"ilicone sealer is not always bad to use.

But it makes a huge difference of where and how it's used.

Andy

[mommythrice]

Originally Posted by ALANSD

I used this fix and it worked on my 66 for two years, then had to be redone. Opening and closing the windows many times causes the drips to return. Good tip on removing the screen too...

I added a drip cap over my front window, I like the looks of it.

When you went back to re-do it, did you remove the old silicone first?

I would consider a drip cap over that front window only. I've considered adding a Lexan window guard at some point, but I don't want too much going on at the front of the trailer. It looks so nice and sleek right now.

[ALANSD]

yes though a lot was already gone.

[mommythrice]

So, Andy's suggestion seemed to work. All windows are now water-tight except the front one. The leak I can see now is coming from just ABOVE the window. In that first picture I posted, water is coming in above the aluminum window frame... just where it meets the vinyl wall-covering above it.

Is it best to use silicone where the window frame meets the aluminum skin? Or something else?

[ALANSD]

I would use a gutter seal. The kind that is thin enough to wick into the seam. There are many out there,,,Captain Trolleys is one that boat guys use. I buy gray gutter seal at ACE hardware, it works well.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by mommythrice

So, Andy's suggestion seemed to work. All windows are now water-tight except the front one. The leak I can see now is coming from just ABOVE the window. In that first picture I posted, water is coming in above the aluminum window frame... just where it meets the vinyl wall-covering above it.

Is it best to use silicone where the window frame meets the aluminum skin? Or something else?

Don't EVER use silicone sealers on the exterior of an Airstream.

You can use Par-bond, Vulkem, Sikoflex and the likes.

Check the clearance lights for that last leak.

Andy

[Rolland]

Hi Andy-Just out of curiosity, why would you never use silicone on the exterior? Thanks, Rolland


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[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Rolland

Hi Andy-Just out of curiosity, why would you never use silicone on the exterior? Thanks, Rolland


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The sun breaks down silicone sealer.

Then, when the sealer falls off or loosens, it leaves a chemical barrier.

If you try to put the proper sealer, such as Vulkem or Parbond over what was left chemically of the silicone, it will not bond.

To then make the proper sealer works, all traces of the silicone sealer must be removed, which in itself, is a royal pain.

Bottom line, don't use it on the exterior, ever.

Andy