Leak over dinette rear window

[mfrez]

I'm at my wits end and could use some help. We are in Cave Creek AZ and it has been raining ALOT. This is my first trip and I have a leak that runs down the inside of the screen on the middle rear window at the dinette. We have temporarily duct taped above the window, the 2 seams that run down to it, and above the awning above it. Nothing. Any suggestions? It's pretty bad and we can't go thru another night like this.

Thanks for your help

[KJRitchie]

I have the same issue. My leak runs down the screen about in line with the left window latch. I have the rear window awning too. When it first starts raining it takes a while for the water to start dripping down the window screen so I'm thinking the leak must be coming higher up than the window frame. I place a towel on the table to wick the water instead of running down to the floor.

I have attempted to make the repair. The curb side roof running light is above the leak but when I removed the running light there is a seal that takes up the whole base and no evidence of water infiltration. The wires go through a grommet and I can see evidence of water infiltration either. A few days later it rained and the leak was still there.

Others have reported the clearance lights often leak but it doesn't seem my case unless the leak is coming from the center and street side clearance light which I haven't investigated. I was time consuming cleaning off the surround caulk on the one clearing light I check.

I'm lucky that my AS is in covered storage so I'm waiting until spring to reseal everything on the roof since the trailer is now 8 years old.

I took the rear awning off so I can reseal the top window easily. You will need to unbolt the support arm off the street end of the awning and carefully unwind the end of the roll about 15 turns before sliding the awning off the support. This will make it a lot easier if you want to reseal the awning support or top window frame.

Sorry I didn't have a solution.

Kelvin

[mfrez]

Thanks Kevin. In looking at my clearance lights the two outside ones have no rubber gasket while the center one does I'll try caulking them

[KJRitchie]

I used Parbond aluminum caulk between the clearance light and the shell. You can generate a nice small bead with the tube.

Kelvin

[la nomade]

i had a bad leak too,front window on my safari sport,turns out it came from the weep holes...water somehow got in,i plugged them up with tape, and:no leak since ????

[dkottum]

Early 2012 models (2011, some 2010) Airstream began using LED with plastic clearance light bezels designed to fit curved or flat surfaces. The gasket was too thin so the bezel may leak or puncture the shell finish starting filiform corrosion. Later models have a thicker gasket. Classics have an aluminum base under the bezel, separate designs for curved or flat surfaces.

We immediately noticed the problem on our early 2012 and sent a photo to Airstream Customer Service. They installed Classic aluminum bezels on our Airstream. Later models have a thicker gasket under the plastic bezel.

If this is your problem, you may want to take a photo and send an explanation of the problem to Airstream asking for a solution. Caulking both the lens-to-bezel and the bezel-to-shell junctions should stop the leak if that's the source.

[mfrez]

I caulked all 5 rear top clearance lights and that solved the problem. Heavy rain again last night and no leaks. My trailer was manufactured in late 2011 and definitely looks like a design problem. There was no caulk. I'll take your suggestion and send pictures to Airstream. Thanks!

[KJRitchie]

Hopefully that is my issue but knowing my sweet Airstream, she isn't going to be that cooperative.

On this link is a photo of my top clearance light. With the bead of caulk around the base, the full sized gasket and the wire grommet I can't see how water could get in there. I still would need to check the other lights but if they are like this one I'm thinking my leak is elsewhere.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f456...ml#post1655031

Kelvin

[mfrez]

Talked to Airstream customer service. They said they still make the same light and bezel today. They have gone to a larger gasket but it's to keep the bezel from scratching the clearcoat, not for leaks. I politely disagreed.....
They won't send them to me for free, I have to order them thru a dealer. Part number 382181. Can't be that expensive so I guess I'll do it.