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Old 09-23-2011, 04:50 PM   #1
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1984 34.5' Airstream 345
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Sewer Vent Modification... Opinions?

Being the confirmed tinkerer i am, when I discovered that the Sewer vent Seals were toast on my 1984 345 Motorhome, I wondered how I could improve them...
It was really leaking Badly on the Streetside, and I found that someone had blocked the drain holes with mastic..

Anyway, here is what I had...


I decided to add a "Weather Plate" to shield the opening and the seal below it from Rain/Sun/UV/Birds..

I took a piece of Aluminum, and curved it around a 1 1/4 Socket, then attached it with SS Screws, to 2 holes in the Vent Casting. I used 2 pieces of plastic pipe to act as spacers and cover the screws.
I offset the Plate slightly inboard to protect make sure it covered the vent hole better.
I am planning to replace the Vent Pipe seal with a piece of Pond Liner I have, and also still use the mesh screen over the actual sewer pipe to keep insects out.

This is how the final thing looks, after a little Elbow Grease, with the yet un-modded one for reference.







I am very open to thoughts and opinions, both good and bad!
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Old 09-23-2011, 04:56 PM   #2
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thank you!

i added that vent cover to our camper, parts from out of doors mart. i did use a stainless screen from a kitchen strainer instead of aluminum screening. but now i'm liking your weatherizing cap. makes it even better!
very nicely done! i'll copy that on ours. excellent!

thanks
don
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Old 09-23-2011, 05:08 PM   #3
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It looks great.
My only concern would be the effect of the wind on the vent while traveling at highway speeds. The cover could cause air to be forced down into the tank and possibly displace the water in the P-traps causing fumes from the tanks to fill the RV.

It sounds like a long shot, but something to think about.
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Old 09-23-2011, 06:01 PM   #4
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That should not be a problem since the hole in the cap is not directly connected to the top of the vent pipe. This disconnect should serve to brake any pressure differential across the top of the cap produced by the cover.

A great job.



.
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Old 09-23-2011, 06:05 PM   #5
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would the screens very small openings disperse the force of the wind and dissipate that downward pressure to be not a problem for the traps?....
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Old 09-23-2011, 06:35 PM   #6
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Absolutely Beautiful!

Functional, clever, attractive and very "Airstreamish."
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Old 09-23-2011, 07:06 PM   #7
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Thanks Peeps!
Little more work to do on the polish job tho...

I was concerned about what AZFlycaster said too, so here is a little thought I had...
You could lower the forward edge of the cover by cutting a bit off the rubber pipe, or indeed, using a longer piece for the rear leg, therefore inducing a Venturi effect?

Those of you wanting to use this idea, I am happy to take some measurements etc.

One FYI tho...
The margin for the 2 holes on the rim is VERY slim... I got my first one wrong, and the drill broke out on the inside... I didnt take a pic, as I just fixed it with my Aluminum Mig, but you will get the idea, and placement by the LH hole..
This cap also had a casting void in the center of the rim, that I filled too..


I am also not really happy with the screws either, I want something with a smaller head.
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Old 09-23-2011, 08:40 PM   #8
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Beautiful work!
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Old 09-24-2011, 04:20 AM   #9
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Nice job. Sal.
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Old 09-24-2011, 12:26 PM   #10
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Thanks for the support...
Working on plan B now.. a better but also simpler design!
Watch this space!
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Old 09-29-2012, 12:27 PM   #11
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Hey, any update, Keyair?
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Old 09-29-2012, 01:34 PM   #12
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Wow, how did a year go by!

No, not made any further progress with the new mod... but its coming!
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Old 11-13-2012, 10:27 AM   #13
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Clueless as to why I never posted the fitting pictures and leak seal solution here...

I used a scrap of 25 year life pond liner, and some aluminum mesh..
Here is what I did.

Cleaned the roof...


Sealed the pipe to roof with Tempro 635.


Placed the square of pond liner over the pipe..
Made sure the hole in the liner was smaller than pipe so it was stretched tight forming a physical seal... you can see what I mean...



Then I formed a bead of 635 over it...
Missed a pic of that, but then I had a little brainstorm moment..
I cut another ring of pondliner about maybe 3/4" wide... tight fit around pipe again and slid that over the pipe above the primary seal..
My logic was that even if the pipe to roof seal cracks this little lip will shed water around the pipe, so it never gets close to the joint.



I then put the aluminum vent back on, used an Awl to find and punch the screw holes, and put a few in place, and cut off the excess liner with a utility knife.
Removed the vent again and put Tempro 635 under the liner, and under the vent and screwed that baby down!
After that, I ran a small bead of 635 around the vent..

Final view of the whole thing.
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Old 11-13-2012, 11:37 AM   #14
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Wow, that's triple-sealed, should last for life!

Making me feel my job was shoddy. :/
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Old 11-13-2012, 11:42 AM   #15
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Pity I was not smart enough to press the Macro button on the camera!
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Old 11-13-2012, 11:51 AM   #16
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Good job. I have not have time to do something like that but I have been thinking about it. I was thinking of an inverted Top hat sorta deal and bond that to the top of the square cone thing that way all the water would be on the outside of the cone or down the vent pipe. I think you got it covered.

Is there a way for water to get out of the vent if it gets trapped say while driving in a rain storm? That is about the only way water could get on the inside.

Perry
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Old 11-13-2012, 04:03 PM   #17
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Yes Perry,
On the lower side of the cap, there are two holes right behind the mounting screws..
In fact that was my original issue... some genius had filled them with caulk!
I got the dremmel on them, and opened them up on the inside to allow water to flow out right from the base. Kinda like a port and polish job!

You can just about make out the drain holes in this pic... in the screw recess, behind where the head of the screw will be eventually.
More visible on the unpolished vent..

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Old 11-13-2012, 04:09 PM   #18
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The only thing I would think about changing is make the leading edge come over the front to keep water out while driving. So if the front of your trailer is on the right of your last photo the hat would bend over and down over the front edge. I would take this apart in about 10 yrs and let us know if your rubber gasket is still good.

Perry
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Old 11-13-2012, 04:49 PM   #19
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Yes, that would be good.
The reason I did not do that was that the Aluminum I used is too thick to form into a compound curve.
Please remind me in 10 years and I will take a peak!
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Old 12-14-2012, 07:32 PM   #20
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This could be another viable option

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f455...ferrerid=55387

May be worth looking into if you don't want to make a topper for your stack, has a good vintage look.

I'll be using some tips from this post as I don't have the product I linked above. I have a leak and need to fix it now!! Just keeping this in mind if the gasket doesn't last long.
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