Rain Water Leaks into coach.

Howdy!

Proud new owners of a 2006 2350 with a slide and power couch. Few water leaks, and of the 'environmental' sort, not the potable/pressured water system.

Leaving the slide extended during a rainstorm we did get inside water soaking the carpet. Easily explained, it was a driving wind that caused it. I could see the droplets using a flashlight.

During pre purchase inspection, the dealer said the upper right marker light had leaked. They had replaced it, and re-did the headliner. It was a tad damp whenI did the pre purchase inspection, but was also a humid morning so not out of line. I could also see some black urethane sealant slopped here and there, and assumed a windshield replacement.

Well... the morning after we got it home, the DEW fall caused a 'puddling leak' on the center console and drivers floor.  doing a quick hose check, I found a generous leak. Ouch.

Turned out there was rust  (from faulty/inefficient primer and paint from Ford...)  that caused holes to form under the glass windshield trim. The dealer did a half-fast  repair on it, and never checked the work. Or did, and didnt give a rats derriere.  I stripped the trim off the glass, and sealed the entire gully with black urethane. No mo leaks. 

The right rear corner of the coach shows a leak, by wall staining and mattress staining. It has yet to be damp since we have had it, however.

The 'mystery' leak is the lower step of the doorway. the wood there was 95% rotted away, so i cleaned it thoroughly and put some cardboard under the linoleum to be a 'tattle tale.

I did see this water on pre purchase inspection, and was told that the sink drain had a leak that caused it. The fix would require the drain to be re-sealed. Not a big deal, I was comfortable with that task. Turned out the drain is fine. I did have to rebuild the sink faucet, however.  f'n salesmen..

Well.. wasnt the faucet either.    ... any rain (but not dew! ) will soak the forward part of the lower step, and seems to be up the carpet also. Staining on the carpet reflects this also. Not sure where this is coming from. I have yet to do a good 'hose check' however, and will report back after i do.

We are running a dehumidifier on its own cord to dry the coach, and it works well. I live in a humid area. 

Anyone else have stories/advice on rainwater leaks into the coach?

Thanks!

 

Wow, I think you have the record!  The step one is what concerns me the most especially if you cannot find where it is coming from.

I have had water come in the slide when parked in the rain, but discovered I had done a poor job of leveling and the rig was clearly 'downhill' away from  slide.  So water that blew onto the top of slide ran into the rig and dripped onto the floor.  It then ran all the way back to the rear of the coach and soaked the rug in the bathroom.  Totally my fault and I will do a better job of paying attention to the level in the future.

Volkmen..I agree 150% with Jatrax that the step leak is your greatest concern for rot  will start very fast.  Water can come from anywhere  but we all know it runs down hill and therefore ends up on the bottom step.  I would look around the awning anchors to see if there might be some leakage coming in around some lags or where the awning remote wire comes thru the wall.  I would go up from there to see if there is not a separation somewhere on the roof?  Best of luck.

I too have never heard of such a significant exterior leak.

Since I have been under my own 2007 2350 sink a few times, I do know of a few places where water might be coming from.

1) The kitchen faucet water hot and cold water lines connected to the PEX plumbing lines is done with threaded hand-tighten plastic fittings.  They might have worked them self loose over the years causing a small leak when water pressure is present.  Reach up behind the sink and make sure they are tight enough.
I took this picture years ago when I had my faucet out for another reason.  It shows the threaded hand-tighten fittings and their proximity to the counter top.  They have plastic tabs like wing nuts for you to grab better.


2) The hot water heater's 110V heating element is screwed in on the bottom of the tank very close to the floor.  It has a big rubber washer that represents the kind often used on oil filters.  That rubber washer might be cracked creating a leak, or the heating element may have worked itself loose.  You get to the heating element by removing the vertical wood panel in the cabinet under the sink.  WARNING!  even though the hot water tank is drained from the outside, 1/2 gallon of water remains in the hot water tank.  So when removing the 110V heating element, out pours 1/2 gallon of water.  Either siphon the water out through the outside drain plug, or place piles of old towels around the area to absorb the water, and do it a pint at a time.
Here is a heating element showing the rubber washer placed to the side.

I have had water come in the slide when parked in the rain, but discovered I had done a poor job of leveling and the rig was clearly 'downhill' away from  slide.  So water that blew onto the top of slide ran into the rig and dripped onto the floor.  It then ran all the way back to the rear of the coach and soaked the rug in the bathroom.  Totally my fault and I will do a better job of paying attention to the level in the future.

Yep. We had a driving rain from the east, and it was readily apparent why/how the leak happened. Probably why ""real"" houses dont have slides. 

Glad it was a driveway lesson, gives me a heads up for life on the road. 

Volkmen..I agree 150% with Jatrax that the step leak is your greatest concern for rot  will start very fast.  Water can come from anywhere  but we all know it runs down hill and therefore ends up on the bottom step.  I would look around the awning anchors to see if there might be some leakage coming in around some lags or where the awning remote wire comes thru the wall.  I would go up from there to see if there is not a separation somewhere on the roof?  Best of luck.

Thanks!!

We have no awning anchors, nor wires with our manual awning. We have a Fiamma 45i sun shade on there, pretty sure its original. I am impressed by how flimsy it is..  and it is going to be replaced with an awning that will weather the storm. We go to festivals, and being a dry spot for other campers to tent under can be helpful. Plus I want 'all weather' shelter.

I hope to do a hose check soon, and I do work 'bottom up' when doing so. Prolly why the dealer I got it from replaced a marker light for a windshield leak.. they started at the top with the hose.

I have been up on the roof a few times, and it appears to be in good shape. *Just* starting to show the fiberglass in the FRP. I plan on a full coating as time permits.

I too have never heard of such a significant exterior leak.

Thank you Sir!

We did have a potable water leak in the coach, the toilet valve. Since repaired.    I can leave the water system 'up to pressure' for a few days with no leaks. Thank you for the info, maybe others that follow will find their problem. 

This coach has not had a good life, appears to have sat for a while, and does suffer from the rear cap contacting something... a bollard? maybe.. that did damage. Little elephant in the room I neglected to mention. I feel it was the source for the right rear water leak.

Certainly NO reflection on poor workmanship causing the leaks. We got this camper at 25% the cost of a new one. I knew it had...'character' and history.     
Compared to many all of the class C's we looked at, this coach is tight as a tick. Good job PC!  Should the loverly Pattie and I ever be in a position to be buying a new camper, Phoenix Cruiser is on the top of our list.

The bottom step is currently clean, and has some fresh cardboard to detect leaks. We are expecting rain the next few days. I will be monitoring this leak, and watching for others. I plan on making this coach better and better. 

Volkemon,  persistance and a positive attitude will  get you far with your rig.    Keep us informed on how this turns out.

Hi Volkemon,

Getting a 2006 2350 for less than $25,000 is a very good deal, even considering the issues you are dealing with.  I rarely see a 2350 that low for a model year 2004 or newer.  As jimmer stated, your positive persistence will yield a very good long term relationship with your PC.  Hopefully you will address your issues quickly and transfer your energy into home "improvement" and actual travel.

Please keep us posted along the way.  Being a long term owner myself with a plan to own for over 35 years total, I am particularly interested in things to watch out for as the years pass.

 On my 2017 2552 they installed the door  Crooked causing a gap on the hinge side so that it would not seal, the lower step would get water buildup on it. PC has a Thicker seal that goes around that door and that fixed my problem of the water leak.

Volkemon,  persistance and a positive attitude will  get you far with your rig.    Keep us informed on how this turns out.

Thanks! I have found the harder I work, the luckier I get. 

 

Getting a 2006 2350 for less than $25,000 is a very good deal, even considering the issues you are dealing with.  I rarely see a 2350 that low for a model year 2004 or newer. 

Thanks Ron!  Pattie found this coach after months of searching, but we were getting a bit down about the little things. We paid $25K on the nose after registration, etc. It was a bit over our comfort level for our first RV, but I am feeling better and better about the fact that we got a quality rig to work on. 

Rain is forecast for tonight, and I am going to have the lower step exposed to bare metal, and the carpet peeled up on the 'forward' side of things. I think we will spend the night in there, so when it POURS we can be on the scene.

Pattie just agreed. Driveway camp out tonight. 

Who needs campgrounds anyway  !                 Sounds like a party !             

please check the cap caulking.  That is where mine leaked down the front windshield.   

please check the cap caulking.  That is where mine leaked down the front windshield.   

We had a BIIIG leak there, was in the 'trough' behind the windshield trim. 99.9% sure thats watertight now, been weeks. Did not check at the moment, but the floormats hold any leak from there as evidence.

3:30 AM report.

Raining HARD right now. Water leaking from the door-to-frame seal, can see drips heading down. Step flooded, but carpet is dry, so I am inclined to think it is coming from the door to frame seal and/or frame to coach seal. Coach is tilted right side (passenger side) low by ~1 inch and 'uphill' edge of step is dry.

Right rear corner leaking, pulled the mattress up so it wouldnt get wet. Can see water coming in, not flowing but a wet spot growing. This is from previous damage, and I know I will find the rear storage flooded also. It drains well luckily. Couple boxes stored in there exposed the leak last time. 

A/C dripping from condensation all over the trim/outlets. we used it ~7 hrs.  Appears not to be rain leak, just condensation. A/C has been replaced before our ownership. I realize that we humans are 'humidifiers'  but I did not expect water drops/dripping from the A/C  . Will see in the morning if carpet is wet. A/C is off and wiped dry.

We bailed. Inside now. SO SO SO glad this was a driveway test. we would be trying to sleep on the couch with the slide in otherwise. Would NOT be happy campers. M'lady is not pleased as it is now.

 

You learned a lot overnight.

A 2006 entry door is the same one used in a new 2018.  It sounds like you should order the thicker main entry door seal from Phoenix.

If any water is coming in between the main entry door frame and the wall, that would require caulking.  Look for cracks in the existing caulk.  Many seams are trimmed off with a 3/4 x 1/8" plastic trim and caulked on each side, but between door frame and wall I think it's a single seam.  Also check the tiny rain gutter across the top of the door, making sure it is clean and sealed properly against the wall.

I am curious about your rear exterior wall damage.  Could you post a picture of it?  You have me wondering how deep the impact went.  It sounds like it affected the rear structural interior wall.  You mentioned the rear compartment gets wet but has good drainage.  Are you referring to the large rear under-bed storage compartment?  Or the shallow rear storage compartment integrated into the rear wall?

When we visited Phoenix a year ago, walking the factory floor I recall seeing a unit being built.  It was about to have the exterior fiberglass rear wall installed.  Oh how I wished I had taken pictures there.  If your interior rear interior wall is compromised with water getting inside on the bed, the proper repair might include removing the exterior fiberglass wall to repair the interior wall.  If that is your situation, you might want to call Phoenix for an estimate to have them repair the body damage.  They will be able to replace your fiberglass exterior rear wall if the damage to it interferes with a proper repair.

Phoenix is now under new ownership so what I am about to say might be different.  But maybe 6 years ago, someone bought an early model year PC with rear wall damage resulting in leakage.  Phoenix removed the rear wall, made proper repairs, and put it all back together like brand new for around $3000.  For you, being the slowest time of year it is in December for Phoenix, you might be able to schedule such a dramatic repair.  It might take them a day or two to get it done.  As well, Phoenix will know how to deal with your entry door leak and water damage.  Provide them with pictures to help them provide accurate estimates.  The cost might be worth the ride out and back and the few days spent there.  Nobody knows how to repair a PC better than Phoenix, and nobody has the right spare parts in stock like they do.  Though their hourly rate has increased, they are also dang efficient at doing the repairs costing you fewer hours of labor.  If our PC was in a significant accident causing water infiltration like you describe, Phoenix would be my place to run to.

Concerning the dripping of water inside your PC from your brand new roof a/c unit, that does not sound right to me.  Something is wrong there.  I suspect the new a/c seal (or reused original seal) is deformed or seated improperly, allowing rain water and/or condensed water from the a/c unit back inside.

Call Phoenix.  Get some prices from them.

I have an unrelated question.  I assume your 2006 PC-2350 is built on either a 2005 or 2006 Ford E350 chassis.  Do you know what a stabilizer bar looks like?  If so, look under your rig and see if you have one for your rear axle.  You won't unless the previous owner installed one.  Also check your front stabilizer bar.  The Ford stock front stabilizer bar, the ends of it go into holes inside the front lower suspension.  If you see any gap between the bar and the end rubber grommets (I suspect you will) your front bar is worn.  Installing heavy duty front and rear stabilizer bars will be well worth the extra investment for driving safety and comfort.  CLICK HERE  to read more about it.  CLICK HERE to read how to check your own suspension.