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Leak In Overheads

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JoeyD

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Leak In Overheads
« on: January 30, 2015, 03:05:18 pm »
I have a new (18 months) 2910 that I love… That being said, I noticed some water dripping out of the left overhead speaker (back of driver seat).  Upon further investigation I found that both overhead storage areas (above driver seat and above the passanger seat) were damp on the top.  In addition, the hinges on the driver side are rusty. I went up on the roof and could not find an obvious leak.  I did notice a significant gap on the passanger side overhead that was stuffed with a padded board.  Do you have any clue were the water is coming from?  Are the any water lines above?

Thanks,

Joe 

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TomHanlon

Re: Leak In Overheads
« Reply #1 on: January 30, 2015, 04:08:52 pm »
There are no water lines forward of the kitchen and no lines run in the ceiling.
You might want to check the five yellow running lights on the front of the roof. Make sure they are sealed around the base and the covers are snapped in good.

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KB9OMH

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Re: Leak In Overheads
« Reply #2 on: January 30, 2015, 05:06:08 pm »
Joe,
     You might try look under the awning arm next to the door, where the power wires go into the cab, I was getting water in that way, I followed the wire to the cabnet with the DVD, and filles the incomming hole with RTV and also the hole where the wires went on the awning. Took care of my water problem.

Jim
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Leak In Overheads
« Reply #3 on: January 30, 2015, 05:24:24 pm »
Also, make sure your B+ cap didn't come loose from the Ford roof.  Standing outside, put your hands on each corner of the B+ cap and lift up as hard as you can handle.  If you create a decent gap, some screws have broken allowing water to get inside.  I am not sure exactly where you are seeing water, but water generally won't travel upward unless with serious wicking action, so you could be getting water in through the lights outside as Tom reviewed.

Also check your antenna on the roof.
« Last Edit: January 30, 2015, 05:26:16 pm by ron.dittmer »
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2 Frazzled

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Re: Leak In Overheads
« Reply #4 on: January 31, 2015, 05:41:39 am »
We had water coming in that speaker after John got a little over zealous scrubbing the roof and knocked the rubber boot for the TV antenna out of line. I don't know if the water could also make it into your cabinets from there but the boot is easy to check and eliminate.
John, Holly, and sometimes Chloe.
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JoeyD

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Re: Leak In Overheads
« Reply #5 on: January 31, 2015, 09:04:14 am »
Thanks everyone... Going up on the roof this morning to check on lights, antenna and seams.  It just seems strange that the moisture is located inside BOTH overheads.  I'm in Florida, is there ANY chance that this may be do to condensation? 

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gradygal

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Re: Leak In Overheads
« Reply #6 on: January 31, 2015, 09:14:26 am »
Can't help you with the leaks but we have noticed that our hinges are rusting. We contribute that to the high humidity in Florida. It is rough on motor homes as well as any metal. When we moved here 18 years ago, I HAD a nice collection of Baldwin Brass. It now is all pitted and gross looking.

Judi
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Carol

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Re: Leak In Overheads
« Reply #7 on: January 31, 2015, 09:38:34 am »
Condensation would be a bummer but sure would beat a leak.  I think I read on another posting thread that those overhead cabinets are not insulated.  Maybe you can test the condensation theory by keeping them cracked at night so some of the house heat can get in there... or would that make it worse?  Either way, it might help with an answer.

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JoeyD

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Re: Leak In Overheads
« Reply #8 on: January 31, 2015, 01:14:16 pm »
Again... Thanks to each and every one of you for your input.  I spent the best part of 2 hours on the roof and over the cab looking for what might be an opening for water.  Ron, I pushed up on the cab with 2 hands and all my strength and not a budge.  Tom, I looked at each of the 5 yellow lights and they are tight and sealed well. Jim, I checked the awning from front to back and appears to be sealed properly. 

There are so many factors that lead me to believe that it just might be condensation.  If what Carol had read is true (no insulation in the overheads), that just ads to what I'm beginning to believe to be the cause.  It's strange that I have dampness in BOTH overheads (over driver and passenger side).  Here in Florida we can have a 40 degree night followed by an 80 degree day.  If there is no insulation in those overheads, I have got to believe that could lead to condensation.  One more thing, although we have had rain, I have not driven in the rain.

Your continued comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.

Joe

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bobojay

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Re: Leak In Overheads
« Reply #9 on: January 31, 2015, 01:15:20 pm »
Don't know if any of you guys practice this, but the well known and used method for keeping condensation to a minimum is to keep your roof vent cracked open a bit to allow most of it to escape.

I have read somewhere on here also that the overhead front cap is not insulated. A not very good idea in my book....
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Janey

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Re: Leak In Overheads
« Reply #10 on: January 31, 2015, 03:05:08 pm »
Just don't leave anything chocolate in those forward cupboards. It's a real mess.
Suzanna Jane (aka Janey) and Sid Shazly

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TomHanlon

Re: Leak In Overheads
« Reply #11 on: January 31, 2015, 04:00:12 pm »
You could get back on the roof with a garden hose and slowly run water over the areas that you think might leak. Then check inside to see if the water came in. If you have a helper that can be inside watching while you water, all the better. It may take a few minutes for the water to run into where you see it.

Some RV dealers can do a pressure test and find all you leaks for you. It used to cost about $100. They pump air into the motorhome and spray a soap solution on the outside looking for bubbles.

Even here in Maryland I leave one of the roof vents cracked and the kitchen window cracked. I have vent covers over the vents to keep the rain out.

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AMW

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Re: Leak In Overheads
« Reply #12 on: January 31, 2015, 08:46:56 pm »
In Florida humidity definitely requires some effort to control.  My PC is in use about 50% of days October thru April, but a bit less in summer.  When not in use, I keep the AC set at 85 in summer and the heat set at 55 in winter, plus a dehumidifier set at 45 or 50% (and the bathroom door open, since there is no direct route for AC or heat into there).

I too am concerned about the excessive hot/cold in the cabinets over the driver and passenger seats. I'm planning to do something to improve the insulation in there, but haven't quite figured out yet what I want to do. The other temperature/condensation problem points I want to solve are the metal window frames and the plastic vent covers, which are allowing way too much hot/cold temperature exchange.  I have the double pane insulating windows, and the glass is doing its job, but the metal frames are extremely conductive and no thermal break at all.  The vent covers are too shallow to put the thick pillow insulators in, so I have the thin silver bubble type, but they don't create the air seal that I need.

Then there's the cab.  I already insulate my cab windshield and windows, but I also want to be able to completely block the entire cab area in cold weather camping, as the cab really pumps cold air onto the floor. 

Lots of projects.  >8)
Ann W.

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ragoodsp

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Re: Leak In Overheads
« Reply #13 on: February 02, 2015, 09:45:24 am »
Having not spend a lot of time in the "sunshine state" I cannot comment much in regards to condensation other than I am sure it can be a problem but enough to really feel wet sounds like a lot of H2O.  Over the years I have learned the hard way that seams may look tight but are not and it does not take much to allow water to get thru. and travel in many directions.    I would go over all of those clearance lights with some clear silicone, I would run a new bead of self leveling chaulk along the  seam between the roof and the B+ cap and see if that makes any difference.  Is it wetter after a heavy rain?  water leaks are tough because the leak can be "upstream" and then gets into a channel and who knows where it can ultimately show up.  regardless you do want to find the source since moisture in the wrong places in any RV is not good.  Best of luck.  Ron G.
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skipper

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Re: Leak In Overheads
« Reply #14 on: March 09, 2015, 03:02:47 pm »
Did you get this problem resolved?
Mark