Annoying Mystery Leak

[rc707]

The following are pics of a leak or seep I have on the curb side access panel on my 1985 Sovereign. The door seal is in pretty good shape. I took it off this weekend and reattached it putting the seam ends on the top of the panel. The water you see that has collected is from the morning dew 2 days in a row. The seal this morning is dry, yet the floor is getting more moisture from some where. As an additional measure I installed another seal (as can be seen on the 1st and 2nd pic) to insure a good seal. Where else should I check and what else should I seal. The third pics shows the seal unseated. I done this to check the seal and the wall before the pic (both were dry). It wasnt left like that.

[Fyrzowt]

It may not be the door seal at all.
In looking at your photos, it looks like you have several possible leaks other than the seal, all involving rivets.
There is the vertical rib to the left of the door, around the door, the door hinge rivets and the rub rail below the door.
The door seal does look deformed as viewed from the inside photo.
Good luck,
Dave

[ventport]

I would also check where the awning attaches and make sure the screws or rivets aren't loose.

[jkcru]

Seal the door with tape and see if it still leaks. I'm betting on the awning attachment point, probably needs resealing.

[rc707]

I also though it could be coming from the rivets in the door. This weekend I drilled out and replaced the rivets in the door hinge. Before replacing the unit I siliconed around the holes between the door frame and the door hinge. I will check the panels and rivets this afternoon down the seam and around the awning. If I find cracks in the panel seals what kind of sealant do I use? Vulcum?

[Ganglin]

Originally Posted by jkcru

Seal the door with tape and see if it still leaks. I'm betting on the awning attachment point, probably needs resealing.

I'd agree with trying that also - just the door gap with painters tape. The gasket on the door is on there incorrectly (mine were that way also). If your going to use that gasket the flare edges need to point into the opening. I do not like the new D gasket on the windows but I do on the access doors. You can order it from Inland or your RV dealer should have it on long rolls they can cut to length. Good luck .... leaks suck...

[HiHoAgRV]

If yours is made like mine, the channel inside the wall has an upward facing "C" that can collect water from FEET away. The inner section of the "C" is notched away just about where your water is appearing, that is just where the water is dumping out of the channel.

Have fun...one of my leaks was a rivit in the frontrock guard and it was running 2 feet to that location.

How about lowering the nose WAAYYY down and seeing if the leak moves, then lifting the nose likewise. Atleast that will narrow down the direction the water is coming from. If dropping the nose works, the leak is fwd of the slot...

[rc707]

I sealed the rib to the left of the door, sealed and re-tightened the awning supports and sealed the first top curved rear panel adjacent to the rib to the left of the door. Last night we had a down pour and the leak (however smaller, I think) reappeared this morning. Looks like I will start on the starboard side and go over it with a fine tooth comb.

Nothings ever simple!

[jkcru]

Try checking all the rivits/screws at the rail that the awning connects to. could be running down from the top.

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by jkcru

Try checking all the rivits/screws at the rail that the awning connects to. could be running down from the top.

How can one tell from the outside, if a rivet is leaking?

Thanks,

Ken

[rc707]

I noticed that the top of the rub rail has sealant, however the bottom does not. Should it? The floor appears to be on the same level as the rub rail but not sure if it could run under and penetrate through the wall. It really looks like (to me) its coming through the wall. The wall and seal on the inside are dry as a bone. Yet the spot on the floor is wet and I mean saturated like a slow steady drip.

I agree w7ts.

I will check all the panels tonight on the curb side for cracks and look at every rivet (if I dont go crosseyed) and apply sealant anywhere I think an issue could arise.

[ts8501]

Check the awning mount just left of the access door. That is a common leak spot. Note that water may be running in the wall where you cannot see it, coming from who knows where. I would start sealing everything above and to the right and left of where the water is showing up.

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by w7ts

How can one tell from the outside, if a rivet is leaking?

Thanks,

Ken

I think maybe some may thought I was questioning the post I quoted. However this was a serious question. Are there any tell tale things to look for in identifying a leaky rivet. Obviously loose is one.

regards,

Ken

[rc707]

Stopped by the local Walgreens on my way home and picked up a couple of syringes to help with the finer sealing areas. I'm not an advocate of just squirting sealant on the side of the camper. I think I found the problem area in the window frame just above the access door. I didnt find any loose rivets, but did find 2 that were kind of in sideways that left a gap wide enough that I could force my finger nail under. When I finished I had re-sealed almost the entire curb side of the camper. Good news: there wasn't any fresh leakage in the camper this morning, bad news: it was a very light dew last night. I will post more as time goes by.

[kevin242]

Lesson we can all learn from rc707... persistence, persistence and more persistence.

[rc707]

Still dry

Waiting a couple more days before I lay the floor.

[ts8501]

Originally Posted by rc707

Still dry

Waiting a couple more days before I lay the floor.

Have you tried hosing it all down with water? All the areas you caulked? This might fast path finding any left over leak.

[rc707]

Not yet. Doing a lot of stuff with the house now. Next opportunity to work on the AS will be Sunday. If no leaks have occurred between now and then I will break out the hose.

[rc707]

In my last report I was going to work on the unit the following Sunday. Sadly I was unable to and was called out of town the whole week. Upon return, I inspected the A/S for leaking as it rained several times while I was away. I can happily report no leaking had occurred during my absence. I feel at the point in the project I will be giving the green light to move forward with laying the hardwood floor. Before I close this post I would like to thank everyone who responded with words of wisdom to helping me diagnose the problem.