| water leak [message #95277] |
Tue, 10 August 2010 21:58  |
winter
Messages: 247
Registered: September 2007
Location: MPLS MN
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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with all the rain recently I found that the coach is leaking rain water. The leaks are on the left and right sides just behind the drivers area. I haven't had time to look into it yet, but it appears to be coming in at the end of the gutter rails.
Is there a common leak point in this area that should be maintained on a regular basis? Are there other areas that should be sealed every few years?
Thanks for any input.
Jerrod Winter
1977 Palm Beach
Green Jelly Bean
Twin Cities, Minnesota
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| Re: water leak [message #95282 is a reply to message #95277] |
Tue, 10 August 2010 22:15  |
winter
Messages: 247
Registered: September 2007
Location: MPLS MN
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So I should plan to reseal the roof seam along with the end caps. Should that be done every 10 or so years?
Jerrod Winter
1977 Palm Beach
Green Jelly Bean
Twin Cities, Minnesota
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| Re: water leak [message #95290 is a reply to message #95277] |
Tue, 10 August 2010 22:30 |
winter
Messages: 247
Registered: September 2007
Location: MPLS MN
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Thanks for the help.
I'll try resealing this week if the weather permits. Hopefully that will take care of it.
The right side bed is where my 2 year old sleeps. No one gets any sleep if water is leaking there.
Jerrod Winter
1977 Palm Beach
Green Jelly Bean
Twin Cities, Minnesota
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| Re: [GMCnet] water leak [message #95298 is a reply to message #95284] |
Wed, 11 August 2010 00:10 |
George Beckman
Messages: 1085
Registered: October 2008
Location: Colfax, CA
Karma: 11
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| emerystora wrote on Tue, 10 August 2010 20:19 |
On Aug 10, 2010, at 9:15 PM, jerrod winter wrote:
> So I should plan to reseal the roof seam along with the end caps.
I have owned the 1977 GMC since 1981 and this is the first time I have had to seal that seam. It just started to leak this last winter.
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM
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Emery,
When I saw the topic, and that you had responded, I really thought you would give your great, great quote, "A GMC motorhome either leaks or the owner is a liar." (Ours didn't leak until our feet got wet in Oregon. Hard to lie about a 2:00 AM event like that. And things are in such beautiful shape up there.)
'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
[Updated on: Wed, 11 August 2010 00:10] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] water leak [message #95300 is a reply to message #95298] |
Wed, 11 August 2010 00:33 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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The pacific northwest is one of the supreme tests as to whether a GMC has
any leaks or not. Any dissimilar materials like fibre reinforced plastic and
aluminum do not expand or contract within the same temperature range,
particularly when you consider the grain direction of the aluminum. If it
does not leak in the cold of winter when it rains, don't delude yourself
into thinking that it won't leak in warm summer rains. The best sealants
never completely harden but remain somewhat pliable. A self leveling sealer
that is not silicone based seems to work the best for me on the front and
rear lap seams. Jim Bounds once told me that the only sure way to fix water
leaks in the GMC is to bore drain holes in the floor. I believe that may be
a tiny bit extreme, but as he says "The Jury is still out on what is the
best sealer."
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 Royale 403
On Tue, Aug 10, 2010 at 10:10 PM, George Beckman <gbeckman@pggp.com> wrote:
>
>
> emerystora wrote on Tue, 10 August 2010 20:19
> > On Aug 10, 2010, at 9:15 PM, jerrod winter wrote:
> >
> > > So I should plan to reseal the roof seam along with the end caps.
> >
> > I have owned the 1977 GMC since 1981 and this is the first time I have
> had to seal that seam. It just started to leak this last winter.
> >
> > Emery Stora
> > 77 Kingsley
> > Santa Fe, NM
>
> Emery,
>
> When I saw the topic, and that you had responded, I really thought you
> would give your great, great quote. A GMC motorhome either leaks or the
> owner is a liar." (Ours didn't leak until our feet got wet in Oregon. Hard
> to lie about a 2:00 AM event like that. And things are in such beautiful
> shape up there.)
>
>
>
> --
> '74 Eleganza, SE
>
> Best Wishes,
>
> George
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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| Re: water leak [message #95306 is a reply to message #95303] |
Wed, 11 August 2010 07:09 |
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Hardie Johnson
Messages: 483
Registered: January 2004
Location: Raleigh NC
Karma: 0
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| g.winger wrote on Wed, 11 August 2010 06:49 |
I personally would never(NEVER<EVER) use any type of silicone. It is almost imposable to get off when you go to paint. WD40 is BANNED in the GMC(Chevrolet) assembly plant that I work for that reason.JWID,,,,PL
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WD40 is neither a lubricant nor a penetrant but is often misused that way.
RTV silicone is a sealant but a poor one. one of the 3M marine sealants should do the job. I think 5300 has been the choice around here.
Gasoline will cause silicone to get crumbly, lose its grip, and more removable, but cleaning with gasoline is like using dynamite for tent pegs, Maybe some other solvent would help?
Hardie Johnson "Crashj"
1973 26 foot Glacier, White Thing
Raleigh NC
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| Re: water leak [message #95314 is a reply to message #95277] |
Wed, 11 August 2010 08:30 |
GeorgeRud
Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Karma: 0
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The 3M 5200 does seem to work pretty well. However, putting drainage lines and inner gutters may be another, more practical approach.
Sealing the roof channel ends and putting in "downspouts" to channel the water through the coach floor will help. I also installed some plastic channel (actually plastic electrical raceway) under the seams at the front and rear (where the endcaps and the roof meet). Using a heat gun, I was able to form the outer ends into a funnel shape that is then attached to pvc hose that runs down the sides of the coach (between the ribs) and through the floor). Though this hasn't stopped all the leaks, it does channel them so the water does not drip into the inside of the coach.
Canstantly Chasing Leaks,
George
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] water leak [message #95318 is a reply to message #95315] |
Wed, 11 August 2010 08:58 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Here is a better link
http://www.gmcmotorhome.info/living.html#head
sent by iGene
On Wed, Aug 11, 2010 at 6:43 AM, Mr.erf ERFisher <mr.erfisher@gmail.com>wrote:
> might want to spend some time looking at the excellent ideas here in "Lean
> Management"
>
> http://www.gmcmotorhome.info/living.html#INSULATION
>
> gene
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, Aug 10, 2010 at 7:58 PM, jerrod winter <jerrod_beth@msn.com>wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> with all the rain recently I found that the coach is leaking rain water.
>> The leaks are on the left and right sides just behind the drivers area. I
>> haven't had time to look into it yet, but it appears to be coming in at the
>> end of the gutter rails.
>>
>> Is there a common leak point in this area that should be maintained on a
>> regular basis? Are there other areas that should be sealed every few years?
>>
>> Thanks for any input.
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> List Information and Subscription Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
> “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
> -------
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/
> Alternator Protection Cable
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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| Re: water leak [message #95786 is a reply to message #95277] |
Sat, 14 August 2010 07:53 |
winter
Messages: 247
Registered: September 2007
Location: MPLS MN
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I made it up onto the roof the other night between rain storms. I could see the crack in the sealant from a few feet away. I cleaned it off and resealed it. We have at least 5 inches of rain since and not a drop inside the coach.
The rest of the roof area needs to be resealed. The old sealant looks pretty weathered.
Thanks for the help.
Jerrod Winter
1977 Palm Beach
Green Jelly Bean
Twin Cities, Minnesota
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| Re: [GMCnet] water leak [message #95797 is a reply to message #95786] |
Sat, 14 August 2010 08:54 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Jerrod,
When sealing the seams on the coach you should avoid any silicone
based sealants. You should try to use only a paintable type sealant.
They can be found and most auto supply stores that also sell paint and
body repair materials. Ask for a paintable seam sealer such a Dupont
seam sealer product. There are a few polyurethane based sealants PL
Polyurethane sealants that can be found at the big box stores that say
they are paintable but they also have shown long term problems with
paint adhesions issues and are better suited for sealing seams where
it will not show. There are also some 3M products such as Fast Cure
5200 Polyurethane Adhesive/Sealant that is available at Marine supply
stores and some hardware stores that is usable also. As always when
applying use as little at possible to fill your crack or seam. More
is not better!
As a helpful reminder it would be helpful if you would include your
coach year and model along with at least the state you live in. By
doing this it helps the net to better answer your questions.
J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
TZE Zone Restorations
77 Eleganza Custom (For Sale)
1975 Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan
On Aug 14, 2010, at 8:53 AM, jerrod winter wrote:
>
>
> I made it up onto the roof the other night between rain storms. I
> could see the crack in the sealant from a few feet away. I cleaned
> it off and resealed it. We have at least 5 inches of rain since and
> not a drop inside the coach.
>
> The rest of the roof area needs to be resealed. The old sealant
> looks pretty weathered.
>
> Thanks for the help.
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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| Re: water leak [message #95819 is a reply to message #95786] |
Sat, 14 August 2010 12:47 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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| winter wrote on Sat, 14 August 2010 06:53 |
I made it up onto the roof the other night between rain storms. I could see the crack in the sealant from a few feet away. I cleaned it off and resealed it. We have at least 5 inches of rain since and not a drop inside the coach.
The rest of the roof area needs to be resealed. The old sealant looks pretty weathered.
Thanks for the help.
|
Where was the crack?
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: water leak [message #95900 is a reply to message #95277] |
Sun, 15 August 2010 07:58 |
winter
Messages: 247
Registered: September 2007
Location: MPLS MN
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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The coach has two major roof seams where the skin transitions from the center section of the roof to the front and rear sections. The front seam is just behind the drivers area and the rear seam is about a foot infront of the rear of the coach. From various peoples experiences the sealant in the seam will suddenly open up and start leaking.
I'm supprised GM didn't do a pinch seam or some better form of mating the roof sections. I don't know what the cross section of the joint looks like but it doesn't seem very strong.
Jerrod Winter
1977 Palm Beach
Green Jelly Bean
Twin Cities, Minnesota
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