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[GMCnet] Oh my leaking '73! [message #70702] Tue, 12 January 2010 23:32 Go to next message
KB is currently offline  KB   United States
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JimB mentioned a while back that early cockpit windows are "leakers".
I've been trying to staunch the flow by removing, rebuilding, and resealing,
but am not having a lot of luck so far. Is it possible to actually make those
windows stop leaking, or should I be looking for some later model replacements??
Will later windows even fit? Would they still leak?? Or is my only hope a floor drain??

Hints appreciated.

Damply,

Karen
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Karen 1975 26' San Jose, CA
Re: [GMCnet] Oh my leaking '73! [message #70703 is a reply to message #70702] Tue, 12 January 2010 23:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GeorgeRud is currently offline  GeorgeRud   United States
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I remember that Richard Archer had posted some photos of window rebuilding on his site, and it showed some common leakage points. Are they leaking along the top or bottom of the windows? If you replaced the felt lining of the channel, did you cut open drainage holes to line up with the slots cut into the metal frame?

I had the best luck sitting inside the coach while my son blasted the window with water from a garden hose, and I noted where the water was coming in.

It can be a very frustrating job to track down leaks, but you at least try to minimize them!


George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
Re: [GMCnet] Oh my leaking '73! [message #70705 is a reply to message #70703] Wed, 13 January 2010 05:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
tphipps is currently offline  tphipps   United States
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Location: Spanish Fort, AL
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Just a note. The cockpit top curved side windows are not available as new glass. Be careful because donor coaches are it for a source.
P.S. All GMC's (and other RV's) leak, you just haven't found them.

Tom Phipps,
75 GMC Ex-Avion


2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552 KA4CSG
Re: [GMCnet] Oh my leaking '73! [message #70708 is a reply to message #70703] Wed, 13 January 2010 08:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Steven Ferguson is currently offline  Steven Ferguson   United States
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Another easy way to detect leaks is to pressurize the coach and then
very methodically spray every seam with a soap and water solution and
watch for the bubbles. I notice that Harbor Freight has an
inexpensive squirrel cage and trunk setup for blowing fresh air into
enclosed spaces. This looks like an ideal setup for accomplishing the
above. I use an old squirrel cage blower from a furnace and a very
expensive 10' section of flexible trunk I bought from McMaster Carr or
Grainger, I forget which. Very effective.

On Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 10:39 PM, George Rudawsky <GeorgeRud@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
> I remember that Richard Archer had posted some photos of window rebuilding on his site, and it showed some common leakage points.  Are they leaking along the top or bottom of the windows?  If you replaced the felt lining of the channel, did you cut open drainage holes to line up with the slots cut into the metal frame?
>
> I had the best luck sitting inside the coach while my son blasted the window with water from a garden hose, and I noted where the water was coming in.
>
> It can be a very frustrating job to track down leaks, but you at least try to minimize them!
> --
> George Rudawsky
> Chicago, IL
> 75 Palm Beach
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
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>



--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
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Re: [GMCnet] Oh my leaking '73! [message #70720 is a reply to message #70702] Wed, 13 January 2010 10:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
KB is currently offline  KB   United States
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I saw Richard's site before I started working on the windows, and ran into the same issues
(like the impossibly hard, rusted out screws). I did cut slots in the new channel, but there's
more water coming in than it can release.

I guess I'm just looking for some assurance that it is actually possible to make the cockpit
windows less sieve-like, and not just a waste of effort.

thanks,
Karen


>
> I remember that Richard Archer had posted some photos of window rebuilding on his site, and it showed some common leakage points. Are they leaking along the top or bottom of the windows? If you replaced the felt lining of the channel, did you cut open drainage holes to line up with the slots cut into the metal frame?
>
> I had the best luck sitting inside the coach while my son blasted the window with water from a garden hose, and I noted where the water was coming in.
>
> It can be a very frustrating job to track down leaks, but you at least try to minimize them!

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Karen 1975 26' San Jose, CA
Re: [GMCnet] Oh my leaking '73! [message #70747 is a reply to message #70720] Wed, 13 January 2010 16:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
ggroth is currently offline  ggroth   United States
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Location: Carson City NV
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Karen, build a garage for winter storage and then don't drive in the summer rain. That's my solution. ha

geo groth '73 260 Sequoia Carson City Nevada 89703
Re: [GMCnet] Oh my leaking '73! [message #70760 is a reply to message #70702] Wed, 13 January 2010 20:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
midlf is currently offline  midlf   United States
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Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
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Senior Member
KB wrote on Tue, 12 January 2010 23:32

JimB mentioned a while back that early cockpit windows are "leakers".
I've been trying to staunch the flow by removing, rebuilding, and resealing,
but am not having a lot of luck so far. Is it possible to actually make those
windows stop leaking, or should I be looking for some later model replacements??
Will later windows even fit? Would they still leak?? Or is my only hope a floor drain??

Karen



Karen I haven't gotten as far as you yet. However, after an air and soap check of the entire coach I plan to install drains to collect the water that may, or will, still get in. I believe it is Rick Denny that has done this. GeorgeRud has also installed window AND roof seam drains in his GMC.


Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
Re: [GMCnet] Oh my leaking '73! [message #70780 is a reply to message #70760] Thu, 14 January 2010 05:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Steven Ferguson is currently offline  Steven Ferguson   United States
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Steve,
A GMC with a cistern would be a first.

On Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 7:49 PM, Steve Southworth <midlf@centurytel.net> wrote:
>
>
> KB wrote on Tue, 12 January 2010 23&#58;32
>> JimB mentioned a while back that early cockpit windows are "leakers".
>> I've been trying to staunch the flow by removing, rebuilding, and resealing,
>> but am not having a lot of luck so far.  Is it possible to actually make those
>> windows stop leaking, or should I be looking for some later model replacements??
>> Will later windows even fit?   Would they still leak?? Or is my only hope a floor drain??
>>
>> Karen
>
>
> Karen I haven't gotten as far as you yet.  However, after an air and soap check of the entire coach I plan to install drains to collect the water that may, or will, still get in.  I believe it is Rick Denny that has done this.  GeorgeRud has also installed window AND roof seam drains in his GMC.
>
> --
> Steve Southworth
> 1974 Glacier TZE064V100150
> Palmyra WI
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
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Re: [GMCnet] Oh my leaking '73! [message #70797 is a reply to message #70780] Thu, 14 January 2010 09:19 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
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Location: S.E. Michigan
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Steven Ferguson wrote on Thu, 14 January 2010 06:18

Steve,
A GMC with a cistern would be a first.
Steve Ferguson


With a good rain collector and a working Thermasan, all you need is in-flight refueling and you could go on forever. Wink
Matt


Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: [GMCnet] Oh my leaking '73! [message #70801 is a reply to message #70702] Thu, 14 January 2010 10:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
KB is currently offline  KB   United States
Messages: 1262
Registered: September 2009
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Senior Member

> Karen, build a garage for winter storage and then don't drive in the summer rain. That's my solution. ha
> -- geo groth '73 260 Sequoia

I'm going to do something or it'll be a mold factory!
This Southern California beast is not liking the Northern California Wet Season!!



> Karen I haven't gotten as far as you yet. However, after an air and soap check of the entire coach I plan to install drains to collect the water that may, or will, still get in. I believe it is Rick Denny that has done this. GeorgeRud has also installed window AND roof seam drains in his GMC.
>
> -- Steve Southworth

Before I bought the GMC, I was seriously looking at trailers from the '40s like Spartans, Vagabonds, etc.
Turns out that is exactly what a lot of the high-end manufactures of the time did: window drains.
The idea was that even if the windows didn't leak, there'd still be a lot of condensation to deal with.

I'll have to see if I can find any pictures of other people's solutions. Those cockpit windows
are kinda tough to build a drain for because of the support structure underneath.

thanks,
Karen

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Karen 1975 26' San Jose, CA
Re: [GMCnet] Oh my leaking '73! [message #70814 is a reply to message #70801] Thu, 14 January 2010 15:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
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Location: Sydney, Australia
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G'day,

For those of you that store your GMC's in a humid environment a
de-humidifier might be a good investment.

Double Trouble is stored in Humble, Texas and I got one from Sears.

We keep a full set of clothing in Double Trouble so we don't have to schlep
them back and forth each year.

I'm sure without a de-humidifier they would all be a nice shade of green
after one season of storage!

Regards,
Rob Mueller
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426


-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of KB
Sent: Friday, 15 January 2010 3:44 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Oh my leaking '73!

I'm going to do something or it'll be a mold factory!
This Southern California beast is not liking the Northern California Wet
Season!!

thanks,
Karen


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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Oh my leaking '73! [message #70838 is a reply to message #70702] Thu, 14 January 2010 21:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JohnL455 is currently offline  JohnL455   United States
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It's probably just cloged drains. As stated the felt U has to be cut (more than just slit or it will close up again) to line up with the cuts in the channel. In other words, the bottom of the U has to be removed where it lines up with the drains. I assume the early models are the same as my 77, but I know they changed window vendors at some point. I backflush up the drains with the hose each time I wash and a lot of junk comes out of there that would soon cause a clog if left to be.

John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
Re: [GMCnet] Oh my leaking '73! [message #70864 is a reply to message #70747] Fri, 15 January 2010 09:09 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jimk is currently offline  jimk   United States
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Punch a series of round holes along with slits.


On Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 2:32 PM, George Groth <grggroth@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
>
> Karen, build a garage for winter storage and then don't drive in the summer rain.  That's my solution. ha
> --
> geo groth '73 260 Sequoia
> Carson City Nevada
> _______________________________________________
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--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
Re: [GMCnet] Oh my leaking '73! [message #70868 is a reply to message #70864] Fri, 15 January 2010 09:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Carleton Douglas[1] is currently offline  Carleton Douglas[1]   United States
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Use a leather punch to do it with.

On Fri, Jan 15, 2010 at 8:09 AM, Jim Kanomata <jimkanomata@gmail.com> wrote:
> Punch a series of round holes along with slits.
>
>
> On Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 2:32 PM, George Groth <grggroth@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Karen, build a garage for winter storage and then don't drive in the summer rain.  That's my solution. ha
>> --
>> geo groth '73 260 Sequoia
>> Carson City Nevada
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> List Information and Subscription Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Jim Kanomata
> Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
> jimk@appliedairfilters.com
> http://www.appliedgmc.com
> 1-800-752-7502
> _______________________________________________
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--
Carleton Douglas
73 custom, by myself
Prescott, AZ
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Re: [GMCnet] Oh my leaking '73! [message #70884 is a reply to message #70868] Fri, 15 January 2010 13:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jw mills is currently offline  jw mills   United States
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Registered: September 2006
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Senior Member
For the window track drains a Dremel tool with the 1/8" router bit does
a wonderful job - leaves a nice clean full size hole.
--
Jim Mills
Greeley, CO
1973 CanyonLands 260 TZE-063V100731(under renovation)
1973 Glacier 230 TZE-033V101993


On Fri, 2010-01-15 at 08:29 -0700, Carleton Douglas wrote:
> Use a leather punch to do it with.
>
> On Fri, Jan 15, 2010 at 8:09 AM, Jim Kanomata <jimkanomata@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Punch a series of round holes along with slits.
> >
> >
> > On Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 2:32 PM, George Groth <grggroth@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> Karen, build a garage for winter storage and then don't drive in the summer rain. That's my solution. ha
> >> --
> >> geo groth '73 260 Sequoia
> >> Carson City Nevada
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> GMCnet mailing list
> >> List Information and Subscription Options:
> >> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Jim Kanomata
> > Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
> > jimk@appliedairfilters.com
> > http://www.appliedgmc.com
> > 1-800-752-7502
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > List Information and Subscription Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> >
>
>
>

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Re: [GMCnet] Oh my leaking '73! [message #70898 is a reply to message #70801] Fri, 15 January 2010 19:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Rick Denney is currently offline  Rick Denney   United States
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KB writes...

> I'll have to see if I can find any pictures of other people's solutions. Those cockpit windows
> are kinda tough to build a drain for because of the support structure underneath.

I've never been able to eliminate some leakage around the cockpit side
windows. So, I use waterproof insulation material behind the plastic
interior panels, fiberglassed over the floor, and then installed a
drain in the floor behind the interior panel and towards the rear. The
drain is a half-inch counter-sunk hole into which I sealed a
three-inch piece of 3/8" flared copper pipe. The flare sits in the
countersink, and the sealant protects the wood. The hole is small
enough to prevent rodent entry (not that mice have ever had any
trouble getting into my coach) and it will keep the what water that
comes in going out before it has a chance to sit there are become
stagnant.

Here are pictures of everything except the drain:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=4432

Rick "leaks are inevitable, but water damage is not" Denney

'73 230 Ex-Glacier "Jaws"
Northern Virginia

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'73 Glacier 230 "Jaws"
Re: [GMCnet] Oh my leaking '73! [message #70899 is a reply to message #70898] Fri, 15 January 2010 19:53 Go to previous message
stkhlm is currently offline  stkhlm   United States
Messages: 58
Registered: February 2004
Location: Xenia, OH
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Member

Hey Rick good to hear from you again!



Bob & Terry Stockholm
Xenia, OH
1976 PB
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