Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-17-2015, 11:19 AM   #1
2 Rivet Member
 
2005 19' Safari
sun city west , Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 20
caulk/sealer

I have a small leak at the air conditioner. instead of having unit pulled and reset I thought I would try to put a bead of caulk around between base of unit and roof. this was suggested in a thread on forum. but I am leery of using anything like sikaflex 221 because if this does not work I will have unit pulled and resealed. therefor I do not want it permanently glued to roof. looking for suggestions for a caulk that will create a permanent bond but will hold up to heat and uv
wrbaron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2015, 11:28 AM   #2
Rivet Master
 
1974 Argosy 20
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Kooskia , Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,591
I can only advise you that doing it right the first time is easier. You need a new AC gasket. To put one on requires pulling the AC unit up and replacing the gasket with a new one. Anything else will just cause you more grief in the long run.
idroba is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2015, 01:10 PM   #3
Rivet Master
 
Rich W's Avatar

 
2006 23' Safari SE
I'm In , Kentucky
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,251
Images: 5
Quote:
Originally Posted by idroba View Post
I can only advise you that doing it right the first time is easier. You need a new AC gasket. To put one on requires pulling the AC unit up and replacing the gasket with a new one. Anything else will just cause you more grief in the long run.
That's what I've heard, replace the gasket, never caulk or you're going from bad to worse.
__________________
-Rich
Rich & Yvonne
2006 Safari SE -Dora-
2004 4Runner SE 4.7L V8
Rich W is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2015, 02:09 PM   #4
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
Ditto! NONE of the makers of RV air units recommend any sealants when mounting new roof units.

Do it right............ Do it once!!

You will need a new gasket for the bottom of the A/C base pan and depending on the year of your trailer, a second gasket that is contained in Dometic's aux. drain kit.

Besides, any sealant that could be easily removed is not worth the purchase price!!!!


Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
lewster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-18-2015, 08:07 AM   #5
2 Rivet Member
 
2005 19' Safari
sun city west , Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 20
thanks everyone, I was trying to do it on the cheap, but I will listen to voice of experience here.
wrbaron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-18-2015, 09:01 AM   #6
Rivet Master
 
1998 30' Excella 1000
Livingston , Texas
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 546
Lewster, the base of my AC base/pan is fully caulked to the roof surface, and came that way from the factory. Has Airstream changed the mounting method since '98?
Siegmann is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-18-2015, 02:05 PM   #7
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
Quote:
Originally Posted by Siegmann View Post
Lewster, the base of my AC base/pan is fully caulked to the roof surface, and came that way from the factory. Has Airstream changed the mounting method since '98?

Absolutely! Airstream finally joined the rest of the RV world (almost) n
by ditching the drain pan and using Dometic's Aux. drain kit. No sealant to the roof!!!!

Only problem is Airstream orders their Dometic units without the bottom gasket, just like on your installation. The drain kit should have TWO GASKETS to seal and work properly.

You can try to fix yours with more SikaFlex, as they used grey 221 for yours initially, or you can upgrade the entire mounting the way it is meant to be done as designed by Dometic.

PM me for more info if you are interested in the latter. 😁


Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
lewster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-18-2015, 06:42 PM   #8
Rivet Master
 
1998 30' Excella 1000
Livingston , Texas
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 546
Lewster, thanks, but no leaks to date. I'll keep your offer in mind if things should change.
Siegmann is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2015, 08:06 AM   #9
2 Rivet Member
 
2005 19' Safari
sun city west , Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 20
Lewster,, I originally started this thread, I have a 2005 19" and I have a small leak at front of airconditioner drips down thru louvers, I can see the sikaflex where it squeezed out on the roof underneath ac unit so how do I add more as you suggest? do I just caulk around the perimeter gap? so if this is not possible, is adding the gasket a do it yourself option? if not should this be done only at airstream dealer or repair shop? thanks
wrbaron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2015, 08:50 AM   #10
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
Quote:
Originally Posted by wrbaron View Post
Lewster,, I originally started this thread, I have a 2005 19" and I have a small leak at front of airconditioner drips down thru louvers, I can see the sikaflex where it squeezed out on the roof underneath ac unit so how do I add more as you suggest? do I just caulk around the perimeter gap? so if this is not possible, is adding the gasket a do it yourself option? if not should this be done only at airstream dealer or repair shop? thanks

If adding more SikaFlex, it should be done from the outside, but there's no room between the A/C base pan and the roof to facilitate that. I had an '06 19 CCD and removed the entire base pan and did the dual gasket replacement.

I don't know if a dealer will be savvy to this as Airstream STILL only uses a single gasket. You could do it yourself but will require a bit of scraping once you remove the upper A/C unit.


Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
lewster is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Caulk caulk and more caulk amazingwoody Leaks - Weatherstrips, Gaskets, Caulks & Sealants 28 03-23-2015 10:16 AM
To Caulk or not to Caulk? marchesi Leaks - Weatherstrips, Gaskets, Caulks & Sealants 6 07-24-2009 10:43 AM
Metal Gloss polish & sealer LeeA Cleaning, Stripping & Polishing 15 11-26-2003 10:02 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:19 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.