The Leaking Continues

[JDT]

Been a while since I posted anything but still visit often.

Some time ago I asked for advice on finding a leak in our 05 Ambassador that comes in the drivers side front left corner under the dash. Sometime later I posted that I had found it as the leak had stopped. To effect the cure I inspected, sprayed water, caulked, sealed and eterna bonded everything from the front A/C forward. I even changed the front A/C seal and checked the drivers side front slide seals. Last summer we drove in driving rain storms and parked with slides out and in while it rained and no leaks. I thought I had finally cured it. BUT.........

In November we went to Branson and it rained. You guessed it, took about a dozen towels and a shop vac to get it dried out. I was hacked because after all of our 7K miles of travel last year and no leaks why now. Sometime later I had one of those eureka moments and it dawned on me that the site we were parked in at Branson required me to use a lot of lift on the front jack and quite a bit on the drivers side rear one to get it level. I am thinking that is putting some twist on body that may cause a seam or seal to open up but closes when it goes back to normal. I know that sometimes my bay doors don't line up right when I use a lot of lift so that idea seems logical.

I haven't been able to test my theory since we put it to bed in mid November because it has been too cold. Just wondering if anyone else has ever had this happen.

JDT

[EngineerMike]

JDT- not likely IMO. The amount of body twist when converted to inches of movement per inch of seam will be infinitesimal, i.e. too small to matter. More likely a seam has failed, especially given the amount of water you are quoting. Seams fail, and when they do it is only a matter of which way the wind & water flow as to whether you experience the leak. Time to revisit the roof and do another full body search for the culprit.

[walt2137]

Have you checked the running lights, and use the putty type sealer on them not RTV, have you checked where the roof attaches to the side panels of the coach, your coach is 5 yrs old and time to remove old sealer and replace with flow seal or a similar sealant be sure to tape off to make a neat job.

[JDT]

I have checked and sealed the running lights, windshield, seams at the sides and top of the front cap, horns, antenna,drivers side window, you name it. Our coach has been stored inside since the day we got it so it does not get the usual weathering which is why this has been so frustrating. Of course, I will try everything again as soon as the weather warms.

JDT

[Bill Adams]

While not specific to your coach, I was in another manufacturers coach when the owner hit the levelers. Shortly thereafter there was nearly a 1/4" gap between the windshield and the rubber molding. They didn't seem terribly concerned and said it happened all the time, but when they were ready to travel the windshield would go right back in place! YIKES!
I think that your pondering might be worth a bit of investigation.

[duramax]

JDT, you didn't mention checking and resealing around your front A/C. I'll bet that water is getting into the roof there and seeking a low spot by the drivers side.

[walt2137]

Carl checking the AC is a good idea as the 4 hold down bolts vibrate loose but the leak is generally in the grill area, I use loctite and torque the bolts to 38 to 45 INCH lb, I would retighten the bolts about every year until I started using loctite.

[pipedream2]

First off it was stated the the front ac seal was replaced so I doubt it not that ....if snugged down correctly.
I had a similar intermitant drip only on heavy rains while stopped and sometimes while driving that i finally found .It was the spit loom covering the dish co-ax cable at the bulk head entrance .Although the loom was fully sealed at the bulk head because the loom is split to put the wire in any water that found its way into the inside had a pipeline to the interior.So i cut back the loom 1 inch and sealed the wires alone going into the bulk head clamshell.And that was it no more dripping

["007"]

JDT, With the amount of twist you have described I would double check top seams of your windshield. I'm going to Newmar for a complete rubber seal replacement because of a popped out passenger window last July than having the windshield reset into rubber gasket on return trip home.
Had it checked by glass company at that time and everything seemed ok only to have water leaks on trip down to Florida.
Have checked seal myself and the rubber gasket is torn in bottom center of the one piece gasket. The age of gasket and twist of frame when a jack failed while camping cause this problem.
The complete gasket will have to be replaced and both windows reset into seal on my return to Newmar at the end of month.
Once the window seal is broken water will trickle down the seam to the inside.