Leaky window - '77 Excella

[nd48463]

I am in the midst of a total floor replacement, and am trying to isolate leaks to keep problems from re-occurring. I have a major leak on the Street side below the window array. I have removed the interior wall panel and window trim. It appears that the water is coming in through the window. It looks like the water is infiltrating through the glass and draining out the seam in the the aluminum channel at the bottom of the window. I know the window seals are bad because of condensation between panes. Do you think the "break out the inner pane" fix will eliminate this leak? Any other sources I should look for? When I removed the inner skin, every thing above these windows is dry.

Nate

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by nd48463

I am in the midst of a total floor replacement, and am trying to isolate leaks to keep problems from re-occurring. I have a major leak on the Street side below the window array. I have removed the interior wall panel and window trim. It appears that the water is coming in through the window. It looks like the water is infiltrating through the glass and draining out the seam in the the aluminum channel at the bottom of the window. I know the window seals are bad because of condensation between panes. Do you think the "break out the inner pane" fix will eliminate this leak? Any other sources I should look for? When I removed the inner skin, every thing above these windows is dry.

Nate

Easy fix.

Clean the gray gasket that holds the glass into the metal sash (frame).

Also clean the glass and metal about a 1/4 inch or so beyond the gasket.

Carefully apply a nice bead of Vulkem sealer to completely cover the gray gasket, and touching the sash and glass.

That will take care of that leak, almost forever.

While you at it, check the seam of the sheetmetal and sash. You might want to clean that up as well and apply Vulkem sealer to the top and ends of the sash.

The only other leak at the windows could be the rivets, and that's doubtful, but since you have the interior metal off, give the back side of the rivets a good coating of Vulkem as well.

Andy

[nd48463]

I would assume that I would be doing this to both the interior and the exterior of the windows. I am contemplating breaking the interior pane because the solar film has extremely degraded and is nothing but yellowish flakes. The bead between the two panes, and the spacers are also all deteriorated and some are free floating between the panes. I will however, take the advice of the vulkem on the rivets on the backside. while the interior is off. Some other leaks I found were at the rear window and the front window. The front window sash was full of standing water from the recent snow melt. The rear, I believe is coming through a poorly sealed frame.

The other leaks I found seem like they are coming from The trim on top of the side blue excella belt line trim. I think if I reseal the trim it will fix most.

Thanks for the help!

nate

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by nd48463

I would assume that I would be doing this to both the interior and the exterior of the windows. I am contemplating breaking the interior pane because the solar film has extremely degraded and is nothing but yellowish flakes. The bead between the two panes, and the spacers are also all deteriorated and some are free floating between the panes. I will however, take the advice of the vulkem on the rivets on the backside. while the interior is off. Some other leaks I found were at the rear window and the front window. The front window sash was full of standing water from the recent snow melt. The rear, I believe is coming through a poorly sealed frame.

The other leaks I found seem like they are coming from The trim on top of the side blue excella belt line trim. I think if I reseal the trim it will fix most.

Thanks for the help!

nate

Unless they have been replaced, all the opening window gaskets are shot.

Other than the windows, take off one of the sewer vent pipe covers, and watch the surprise.

Andy

[blickcd]

Remove the sewer vent cover and watch the surprise. Assuming this is a joke, I just don't get it. Care to explain, Andy?

Christopher

[Kevin245]

Originally Posted by blickcd

Remove the sewer vent cover and watch the surprise. Assuming this is a joke, I just don't get it. Care to explain, Andy?

Christopher

They are often ignored...but very important to the health of your AS. When you remove the cover...You probaly won't have much of a gasket left. This is an item that should be part of your "Spring Cleaning To Do List". They are supposed to good for several years, but recent history seems to suggest otherwise.

[blickcd]

Never heard of this one before. I know we are getting off topic here but having a '79 my "covers" are more like pyramid shaped trim pieces around the vents. Haven't see rain leaking in to indicate a bad gasket.

Christopher

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by blickcd

Remove the sewer vent cover and watch the surprise. Assuming this is a joke, I just don't get it. Care to explain, Andy?

Christopher

It's not a joke at all, but a serious water leak problem that most owners are not aware of.

Andy

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by blickcd

Never heard of this one before. I know we are getting off topic here but having a '79 my "covers" are more like pyramid shaped trim pieces around the vents. Haven't see rain leaking in to indicate a bad gasket.

Christopher

Most owners don't see the water either.

The water goes around the black pipe, into the wall, and then on the floor, where you cannot see it.

Checking that gasket, is a wise PM.

Andy

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by blickcd

Never heard of this one before. I know we are getting off topic here but having a '79 my "covers" are more like pyramid shaped trim pieces around the vents. Haven't see rain leaking in to indicate a bad gasket.

Christopher

If the gasket is more than 5 years old I would be very surprised if it wasn't leaking. FWIW one of the covers on mine had a screw that had not been run all the way in at the factory because they had hit a rib, they just glopped some Vulkem on it and sent it down the road. It contributed to the water damage in the rear of the trailer under the tub.

The gaskets are inexpensive and the process straight forward. Cheap insurance against leaks.

Aaron