| water leaks [message #229960] |
Fri, 15 November 2013 18:25  |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
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Over the last few days I had the opportunity to test a suggestion given to me by Jeff at Alex Sirum GMC several years ago. LONG before I got to this point we had a brief discussion of leaks and causes. I explained to him my plan of removing the rear cap for a variety of reasons but mainly to obtain a better paint job. The p.o.s had over the years applied a paint job and various applications of various sealants to the rear cap area/ screws/ and the joint between the rear cap and body. The stuff was thick and nasty and a lot of it was silycone which was hard to remove in the gap. My OCD flared up and the cap came off. Jeff strongly advised against removing the cap and said to stretch a piece of vacuum hose and wedge it into the gap between the cap and body to seal the panel. After completing the body restoration and painting I eventually had to put the rear cap back on. I took some of what was left of the oem foam seal as a sample and matched it up best a possible with foam seals of similar size. What I discovered was that by the time I selected a seal of adequate size to bridge the gap and make contact with both panels it would be so proud in the trench that aligning and fastening the rear cap was problematic due to the limited length of the screws and limited bite they had into the smc rear body. The next size down appeared to not make significant sealing contact between the two parts. I ended up using the smaller of the two closed cell foam ropes and forgot all about it.... until it started raining. Since the internal exterior trim panels have not been re installed yet it was easy to see that the rear cap was leaking profusely. It was hard to determine exactly where due to the quantity of water. I dug through my boxes of sealants and foams until I found some leftover caulking backer rod which I bought at Home Depot. 3/8" by 22' grey closed cell foam backer rod. I stretched it and pushed it into the gap then blew the water out of all the crevices on the interior. Afer several heavy rains there is no leak in the joint from the rear body panel to the body. There are a couple of small leaks coming down the screw holes to the interior which will be an easy fix. The grey foam does not even look bad with my paint scheme but black would be better. I did try finding vacuum hose prior to discovery of the leak but could not find one which was large enough to bridge the larger gaps but also supple enought to fit the tight ones. The thing I like about this solution is that its easy,cheap,instant and easily reversible for panel removal/painting etc.
Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
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| Re: water leaks [message #229976 is a reply to message #229960] |
Fri, 15 November 2013 19:53  |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Has anyone posted a photo of the area behind the rain gutters, with the rain gutter removed? I'm interested in photos of the end cap area, and the general run of the rain gutter down the body of the coach.
P.O. just laid gobs of silicon on the rail without tooling it down onto the rail. Lots of ugly mold growth behind his work. More does not equal better.
Had a heavy leak test last week. Replaced his work yesterday, followed by over night rain. No leaks on the driver side, used to be a water fall.
I'm planning on pulling the rain gutter off and doing corrective work this winter work session. After the coach gets to Alabama.
Tom, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: [GMCnet] water leaks [message #229988 is a reply to message #229976] |
Fri, 15 November 2013 20:32 |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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There r photos of what you are looking for. Someone should post a link soon. The end caps are cake to take off. Do it and you will probably find a gaping black hole like a well. Fill that sucker and put the cap back on.
Todd Sullivan
Sully
77 royale
Seattle
> On Nov 15, 2013, at 5:53 PM, Thomas Phipps <tph1pp5@yahoo.com> wrote:
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> Has anyone posted a photo of the area behind the rain gutters, with the rain gutter removed? I'm interested in photos of the end cap area, and the general run of the rain gutter down the body of the coach.
> P.O. just laid gobs of silicon on the rail without tooling it down onto the rail. Lots of ugly mold growth behind his work. More does not equal better.
> Had a heavy leak test last week. Replaced his work yesterday, followed by over night rain. No leaks on the driver side, used to be a water fall.
> I'm planning on pulling the rain gutter off and doing corrective work this winter work session. After the coach gets to Alabama.
> Tom, MS II
> --
> 1975 GMC Avion, under forever re-construction
> Vicksburg, MS. 3.7 miles from I-20
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Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
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| Re: water leaks [message #229993 is a reply to message #229976] |
Fri, 15 November 2013 21:01 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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| tphipps wrote on Fri, 15 November 2013 19:53 |
Has anyone posted a photo of the area behind the rain gutters, with the rain gutter removed? I'm interested in photos of the end cap area, and the general run of the rain gutter down the body of the coach.
P.O. just laid gobs of silicon on the rail without tooling it down onto the rail. Lots of ugly mold growth behind his work. More does not equal better.
Had a heavy leak test last week. Replaced his work yesterday, followed by over night rain. No leaks on the driver side, used to be a water fall.
I'm planning on pulling the rain gutter off and doing corrective work this winter work session. After the coach gets to Alabama.
Tom, MS II
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Tom,
Kelvin posted these...
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3702-roof-sidepanel-trim-stip-r-amp-r.html
Dennis
Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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| Re: water leaks [message #230025 is a reply to message #230024] |
Sat, 16 November 2013 12:39 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Thanks for the photos. Now, I have a better idea of the task ahead.
Tom, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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