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Old 04-30-2008, 04:32 PM   #1
BSmiley
1 Rivet Member
Profile:  2006 25' Safari FB SE
Madisonville , Kentucky
Posts: 9

Leak in my 06 Safari

We have a leak after bringing out the unit from winter storage. I went to the Wentzville, MO dealer, who said leaks are 'difficult to find', and they found the skylight cracked and replaced it.

The leak is still there, but I discovered a website: www.releaks.com that offer a pressure system that could find leaks easily. All dealerships should have them!!!

We still don't know where ours is coming from, but we suspect a rear clearance light may be the culprit, as water comes between the skins and exits at the top of the rear window. We'll check with the next rain.

I think it stinks that an Airstream 6 weeks out of warranty would have this problem!
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Old 04-30-2008, 05:14 PM   #2
CanoeStream
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Profile:  2006 25' Safari FB SE
St. Cloud , Minnesota
Posts: 7,183
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That sure sounds like a disappointment! It sure is hard finding these leaks. For as much caulk as they schmear on the roof it is hard to find them by inspection. A number of people have posted about the Sealtech leak finding system -- soap bubbles, pressurizing the inside -- similar I bet. Airstream of Arkansas has one that I know of. Good luck -- please let us hear about what you find.
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Old 04-30-2008, 07:00 PM   #3
lewster
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Profile:  2006 19' International CCD
Marco Island, FL , Hood River, OR
Posts: 3,135

Ou can do your own leak detection system with a little perserverence and a good industral shop vac.

Create a path for the exhaust hose to enter the trailer, and try to eliminate most of the usual, easy to find leaks like around the windows, the Air conditioner from the inside and the front door. You might even tape the door closed from the outside.

Turn on the shop vac with the hose in the 'blower' mode, and you will be gently pressurizing the trailer from the inside. Then using a soap solution in a pump-up type sprayer, go around the roof openings, lights, vents, windows, etc and see where the bubbles form. You don't need a lot of pressure onb the interior to find an air leak from the inside = water leak from the outside.

You'll be amazed at what you find! Hope this helps...............
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Old 04-30-2008, 10:39 PM   #4
Pete Vermont
2 Rivet Member
Profile:  2007 22' International CCD
Tunbridge , Vermont
Posts: 23

WELL, it could be MY brand new 22 ft International CCD. I picked it up at the dealer in Florida a couple of days ago and I haven't even made it home yet. But this morning, upon opening the under-bed storage area, I could SEE DAYLIGHT through a 1/4 inch gap in the outside seam where the aluminum makes the corner bend, down low, just above the road!

So far it hasn't leaked. Then again, so far it hasn't rained! (I wonder if it was 'installed' there as a new type of in-cabinet lighting for these dark spaces?)
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Old 05-01-2008, 12:51 PM   #5
BSmiley
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Profile:  2006 25' Safari FB SE
Madisonville , Kentucky
Posts: 9

Thanks for your input. A retired friend who loves a challenge has the unit. He reports he thinks the leak is from the marker light on the rear, has sealed it and I'll pick up the trailer Saturday. Only a rain will tell the tale!
Thanks, Lew about the shop vac tip. I had a Fantastic fan installed that has reverse on it, so may turn it on high to see if it puts enough pressure to show up. Worth a try. My father in law has a big shop vac if it doesn't.
Pete, I'm sorry you had to find daylight.... I don't know, it seems Airstream quality isn't what we expect. The mechanic who explained the operation of our unit when purchased stressed it is a manufactured item several times, now I know what he meant.

We also had to order a new LED tail light, as one unit was only partially burning. I got it today, for $65.00 (shipping & tax). It seems like there is just a bunch of things going wrong at once, just out of warranty.
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Old 05-01-2008, 05:05 PM   #6
lewster
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Profile:  2006 19' International CCD
Marco Island, FL , Hood River, OR
Posts: 3,135

Quote:
Originally Posted by BSmiley
Thanks for your input. A retired friend who loves a challenge has the unit. He reports he thinks the leak is from the marker light on the rear, has sealed it and I'll pick up the trailer Saturday. Only a rain will tell the tale!
Thanks, Lew about the shop vac tip. I had a Fantastic fan installed that has reverse on it, so may turn it on high to see if it puts enough pressure to show up. Worth a try. My father in law has a big shop vac if it doesn't.
Pete, I'm sorry you had to find daylight.... I don't know, it seems Airstream quality isn't what we expect. The mechanic who explained the operation of our unit when purchased stressed it is a manufactured item several times, now I know what he meant.

We also had to order a new LED tail light, as one unit was only partially burning. I got it today, for $65.00 (shipping & tax). It seems like there is just a bunch of things going wrong at once, just out of warranty.
I hope that your friend didn't use 'silicone' for that repair job!!!
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BACK IN THE 'HOOD' FOR A WHILE !!
"Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez"
www.islandmetalworks.com

WBCCI #1032/VAC (assoc) #1032
AIR # 10325
CHARTER MEMBER: FOUR CORNERS UNIT
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Old 05-01-2008, 06:50 PM   #7
lynn
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Posts: 116

You will need to remove the screen ,at the top of the window frame and between the bow that runs across above the window is as space filled with caulking. You will need to remove all the gray caulking. Then completely fill this area -approx.depth is an 1 5/8 inches-with new sealer.this should stop the leak.Another causes ,depending if it is the front window, would be from the screws in the stone guard hinge.Remove screws and calk then re-install.
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