Leaking clearance lights

[ebprod]

We just bought a 1994 Kountry Aire 37 WDSK. There a lot of little things that need to be done, but most of them will have to wait for spring. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions.

The most pressing issue is that one of the clearance lights above the windshield is leaking. The water comes in along the top of the windshield and drips onto the dashboard. From looking around the forum, it seems this is a common problem.

My question is- what type of caulk should I use? I noticed that some are using silicone, but wouldn't dicor be better? Or does anyone have a specific product to recommend?

Thanks.

Joe

[Ray,IN]

I had some clearance lights that leaked several years ago. I too thought re-caulking was necessary, until I removed one of them for a closer look. On the inside of the lens was a water level mark, at the same height as the bulb. It became obvious that the lens was retaining water which then ran through the wiring hole right into the RV wall. I drilled a 1/8" hole in the bottom of each lens and the leaks stopped.
That might not be your water entry point, but worth checking.

[Route 66]

Newmar uses clear silicone as it's less noticeable on painted coaches.

[RVhauler]

Or if possible install new LED marker lights. In my case solved hard to locate leak and gave much better lighting

[Arch Hoagland]

If it very cold outside and you sleep inside the coach with all the windows closed it will look like someone squirted a hose on your dashboard. Condensation.
Of course the test for that is if it only is wet after raining.
We keep the window over the kitchen sink open and run the ceiling fan in the back bathrom all night.

[ebprod]

The leak is definitely coming from outside. We have had a thaw here the past few days, and the leak is coming from the snow melt on the roof.

I took a picture of the light. You can see a water streak running to the light, and then not going past. It also appears that a previous owner has tried to caulk the light before. I need to get up there with a ladder and look at them closer. It is supposed to get above 50 degrees on Thursday, so I have a small window to get it fixed.

["007"]

ebprod welcome to the Newmar forum.
Congrats on joining the Newmar family.
A good white sealant that you can buy a a Marine store will work well for the time needed to work than setup firm.
Most of your seals will need to be looked at because of age of coach.
There are plastic tools to dig out old sealant.
Enjoy the forum and do post often.

Kountry Aire 37 wdsk

[Razor1949]

Does anyone have a number or source for the led marker lights for a 1999 dutch Star. Thanks

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route 66 Newmar uses clear silicone as it's less noticeable on painted coaches.

Newmar uses clear silicon to protect the real sealant. On the windows they use the tape then it's covered (only on the top and a couple inches down the side) by clear silicone. The silicone's only function is to protect the sealant from weathering. My owners manual says never to use silicone as the primary sealant.

[Perry White]

Rubber Butyl. Sloppy but it won't leak.