Leaking from passenger window

[TangoDancers]

We discovered a slow dripping leak from the lower front corner of the passenger window. The carpet got wet in that entire area in front of and under the passenger seat. Not sure if it's actually coming from the window or elsewhere.

I read in an old posts (too old to respond to) that one person had a similar leak and resealing the window didn't solve it -- they solved it by removing the rubber strip where the front cap joins the body.

I'm not exactly sure what is the front cap, but I do see what looks like a 1" rubber strip running from the middle of driver/passenger window up and over the roof just behind the mirrors. Is this the rubber strip referred to in the quote below and could this be the culprit? Any suggestions on how to determine the cause or what to do next?

If we have to replace this rubber strip, can anyone recommend how this is done or who does this? How hard would it be to do this ourselves? Doesn't seem like a good place for Eternabond as it would be so visable.

Here's a quote from someone else with a similar problem - but it was too old to reply to:
jerseyjim 03/08: "When my Dolphin was new, there was a leak that damaged the inside wall just behind the passenger seat....and under the passenger window. Removed the window...re-sealed it. Applied an almost excessive layer of Di-Cor on the roof...seams...whatever. Still the leak.
Dealer mechanic finally thought to replace the rubber strip...where the front cap joins the body. Removing the strip....we found a puddle of water under it.
Replaced the rubber strip...problem solved. Now I gotta figure out what to do with the damaged wall area."

Lastly, how do we determine if there is any interior damage to the walls?

Thank you,
Susie

[BigSkyBob]

I had a similar leak that exited from the lower front of the window behind the driver's seat. I checked all the window seals and finally discovered the sealing tape that was used to seal the top of the slide to the outside wall had been cut. The rain water sat on the slide awning long enough to drip through onto the top of the slide and then down the wall to exit at the bottom corner of the window. I removed the slide awning, cleaned the entire length of the slide and applied 4" wide gutter sealing tape over the top of the existing tape. Then I applied white fibrous roof coating over that. I checked the other three slides and found the same thing on the curbside bedroom slide so I did the same treatment to that. I've been in the rain several times and no leaks have shown up.

[Belgian]

We had the same problem with our Dolphin. The 'front cap' is the front fiberglass section the holds the windshield and includes the hood opening and grill. The front cap is bolted to the body of the motor home and then sealed at the seams. The most likely place for a leak to develop is on top where the roof meets the front cap. What we did was remove all the factory sealant at the seam and then reseal it with a strip of Eternabond tape. Eternabond can be found at your local RV supply house or online. We used a 4" roll and used it from gutter to gutter. Haven't had a problem since.
Good luck
Steve

[GaryKD]

Hi Susie,
If it was me, I'd try what Belgian did first. The only difference, is I would clean the roof seam with a scrub brush and 303 cleaner (or the cleaner of your choice). Then EternaBond all the roof seams. This is what I have done with my roof seams and have never had a leak. Nothing gets through EternaBond.

The bottom line is, with leaks, I start at the top and work my way down to the leak. I try one thing at a time and wait an see what happens.

If you caught the leak quickly (sounds like you did) there should be no permanent damage. The only way I know to check is to remove sections of the affected area.

[Vegasdan]

I had a mystery leak on my Tradewinds driver's window. It would leak if it rained while we were standind still, but would not leak if it rained while we were driving. I removed the silicone sealant from the top and down the sides of the window frame and re sealed it with new silicone. No more leaks. The old silicone that was used in all of the trim and window frames might look great but it tends to get loose and water was getting past it.

[TangoDancers]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belgian We had the same problem with our Dolphin. The 'front cap' is the front fiberglass section the holds the windshield and includes the hood opening and grill. The front cap is bolted to the body of the motor home and then sealed at the seams. The most likely place for a leak to develop is on top where the roof meets the front cap. What we did was remove all the factory sealant at the seam and then reseal it with a strip of Eternabond tape. Eternabond can be found at your local RV supply house or online. We used a 4" roll and used it from gutter to gutter. Haven't had a problem since. Good luck Steve

Hi Belgian,

Thank you for the great advice. Would you be able to provide a few more details about exactly where you started the Eternabond and where you finished it? I know there's a 1" rubber strip going from the middle of driver/passenger windows up and over the roof and this seems to be the main seal that connects the front cap to the roof.

My two main questions are this:

1) Are you suggesting that we remove this rubber seal? I did see a video where they put Eternabond right over it... probably would look better removed... but just afraid to take this out.

2) Did you start the Eternabond at the Windows?? If so, it will show and won't be as nice looking as the original seal. I see you said gutter to gutter, so did you cut the rubber seal at the gutter? If so, did you over lap the Eternabond on top of part of the rubber seal? By any chance do you have any photos of this? I'm a bit reluctant to attempt this before I really understand what we're doing.

By the way, I did notice there was water in the track of the window and still suspect there might be something going on there. I also put a tarp over the roof - covering the rubber seal up to the gutter - leaving the window exposed. We're expecting more big rains tonight, so tomorrow I may may be a telling sign that points to the window or the roof. Either way, I would like to Eternabond round the roof seals.

Thanks very much for your feedback!
Susie

[TangoDancers]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belgian We had the same problem with our Dolphin. The 'front cap' is the front fiberglass section the holds the windshield and includes the hood opening and grill. The front cap is bolted to the body of the motor home and then sealed at the seams. The most likely place for a leak to develop is on top where the roof meets the front cap. What we did was remove all the factory sealant at the seam and then reseal it with a strip of Eternabond tape. Eternabond can be found at your local RV supply house or online. We used a 4" roll and used it from gutter to gutter. Haven't had a problem since. Good luck Steve

Hi Belgian,

Thank you for the great advice. Would you be able to provide a few more details about exactly where you started the Eternabond and where you finished it? I know there's a 1" rubber strip going from the middle of driver/passenger windows up and over the roof and this seems to be the main seal that connects the front cap to the roof.

My two main questions are this:

1) Are you suggesting that we remove this rubber seal? I did see a video where they put Eternabond right over it... probably would look better removed... but just afraid to take this out.

2) Did you start the Eternabond at the Windows?? If so, it will show and won't be as nice looking as the original seal. I see you said gutter to gutter, so did you cut the rubber seal at the gutter? If so, did you over lap the Eternabond on top of part of the rubber seal? By any chance do you have any photos of this? I'm a bit reluctant to attempt this before I really understand what we're doing.

By the way, I did notice there was water in the track of the window and still suspect there might be something going on there. I also put a tarp over the roof - covering the rubber seal up to the gutter - leaving the window exposed. We're expecting more big rains tonight, so tomorrow I may may be a telling sign that points to the window or the roof. Either way, I would like to Eternabond round the roof seals.

Thanks very much for your feedback!
Susie

[Belgian]

Hi Susie, The section that I resealed was the top of the front cap where it meets the roof. I used a plastic putty knife from Home Depot to remove the factory sealant from the gutter (where the roof and front cap meets the sidewall) over the top to the other gutter. I only removed the sealant on the surface. I did NOT dig down into the seal itself. The main purpose is to provide a smooth and clean surface for the Eternabond to adhere to. I started the Eternabond at the point where the roof, front cap and sidewall all meet. Only remove a small section of the Eternabond packing paper and start laying the Eternabond. As you go across the roof continue to remove backing paper as you align the Eternabond. Once you have competed laying the Eternabond lay paper over the Eternabond and use a roller to insure the tape is fully attached to the seam.

I just thought have you also checked the antenna for leaks and the air horns (if you have them)

[TangoDancers]

Hi Steve & Jeri (just now saw your names),

Thanks for the details... that's exactly what I was looking for. Just curious, how visible is your eternabond from the side?

I'm not sure if my husband checked the antenna (no air horns) for leaks, but he definitely removed and re-caulked the satellite dish which had caused another leak. I think the antenna is okay, but we'll definitely check closer.

Right now I have a tarp on the roof covering the seal across the front, but not covering the window. So, when it rains again in a few days, we'll see if the water is entering by the window or the seal. I hope it's not the window because I think that's much harder to trouble-shoot and fix.

Thanks again -- I'll keep you posted.
Susie

[DudleyDufort]

There are many potential sources for your water intrusion. It goes without saying that until you find the source of your particular leak, you won’t really know for sure. I’ll share my experience with you as one possible source. My leak was a result of a broken rain gutter spout over the driver’s side window. There is a metal rain gutter that runs the length of the coach at the roof line. This gutter also secures the seam where the roof material overlaps the side of the rig. At the front and rear ends of these gutters you should find rain spouts that are intended to deflect the run-off away from the sides of the coach. At this point you may want to refer the Camco web site (www.camco.net) and look at item #42134. If any of your rain spouts are broken or missing, water could be entering at the end of the gutter. My fix was to replace these rain spouts. I did so on all four corners. Using a stiff putty knife, slowly scrape the sealing compound along the top and bottom of the gutter about two feet back from the end. Peel back the vinyl trim strip to expose the phillips-head screws that secure the gutter to the coach. Remove two or three of those screws. They may be difficult to remove so try hammering on the end of your screwdriver as you turn it until they break free. Now slightly pry the gutter away for the wall of the coach and secure it with a small wedge. Scrape away the old sealing compound from behind the gutter with the putty knife so you wind up with a relativity clean surface. When I removed the old (broken) rain spout I found a large gap with no sealant behind it. This gap was directly over the front edge of the driver and passenger side windows. Fill that void with Dicor. Apply a bead of sealant along the vertical seam where the gutter ends and also along the back side of the gutter where you’ve pried it away from the coach. Slide a new rain spout in place behind the gutter. Remove the wedge from the gutter. Reinstall the screws. Resecure the vinyl strip. Apply a bead of sealant along the top and bottom of the gutter. The messy part of the job is “feathering” the sealant so have plenty of paper towels. Clean-up can be accomplished with bit of gasoline on a rag. That took care of my issue. Maybe it will for you too.

[Belgian]

I’m glad the description helped. I would take a picture for you guys but I just had a knee replaced so I won’t be climbing the ladder for a while. The Eternabond is visible from the ground for just about 3”as it rounds the corner from the roof to the gutter. But it is white and you can’t even tell that it’s not original.

Our antenna was leaking where the cable enters the roof. Don’t forget to raise the antenna and look down the center section for possible leaks.
Keep everyone updated on your progress.

When we first got our Dolphin I spent days reading through all the posts here at IRV2.com and also at RV.NET. The search feature on both sites are very good also. Great education.

[Jeff H]

Our Dolphin has a painted roof, dark brown. Can the Eternabond be painted to match?

[TangoDancers]

Hi Dudley,

Intersting. I got back up on the roof and discovered we are missing the one rain spout over the particular window where it is leaking . However, I'm not totally convinced this is the culprint. Here's why....

I also discovered the 1" rubber strip that runs along the top of the gutter has separated from the roof in more than one place - one of which is over the window just behind the passenger chair - and just behind the area that is getting wet. I also noticed , this 1" rubber strip is strangly wavy (obstructing the gutter) all down the gutter.

Below are a few photos. Here's a link to all my photos: Picasa Web Albums - TangoDancers - 2003 Dolphin ...#. Click on any photo to enlarge then magnifying glass on right to zoom in.

So, I know for sure we need to repair/replace the rubber stripping as well as the rain spout. I don't think we're up to this task. Do you happen to know anyone in So. California (Orange County) who does this kind of work??

I've covered the suspected areas with a tarp to see what happens after the next rain. I will observe and report.

Thank you,
Susie

[DudleyDufort]

Well it kinda looks like we may be talking about apples vs. oranges. First the easy answer. I'm on the outskirts of Sacramento so I have no knowledge of Southern California repair facilities. Perhaps someone "down south" could help with that.

A couple of things I noticed from your photos; It appears that a lot of caulking has been attempted at the front of the gutter. My 2005 Sea Breeze had factory installed rain spouts. I don't know if your rig was built the same. If the other corners have spouts and the front does not, then I'd suggest that you (someone) replace the broken/missing spout.

If your rig is parked with the front "downhill", the rain-water will flow forward along the gutter. The front of the gutter looks pretty well gooped but there could still be a hole there allowing water to enter. It doesn't take much.

It looks like your metal gutter "profile" differs slightly from mine. The vinyl trim is definitely different. Your trim wraps AROUND the outside rails of the gutter. My trim is much narrower and is installed between the rails. It only hides the screws. I don't think it serves as a water seal. It's mostly cosmetic. The sealing is above, behind and below the metal gutter.

If our rigs were designed and built differently from each other, I'm afraid that my experience might have little bearing on your situation. But I still don't like the looks of the sealing in picture #8 where the gutter ends at the large body seam. It looks to me like water from the gutter could continue forward and seep under that main seam. Hard to tell.

At this point, perhaps your best bet is to take your rig to someone who's experienced in these things and pay to have it done right.

Dudley