Roof leak

[rodrigo]

I just purchased a 98 newmar dutch star and it rained yesterday and last night andall day today. I was in it this evening and found a wet spot near a ceiling light in the center of the coach near the front and the front ac unit sits over the top of it. The guy I purchased it from just had the roof re-caulked and whole roof sealed. It was a small wet spot. How do you go about finding a small leak and how do I seal it? Could it be from ac unit or coming from some where else and running there and thats how it gets in? I lost a newmar fifth wheel to a slide leak and I'm desperate to fix before it causes major damage, please help

[Skip426]

The roof A/C units , have gaskets to seal them to the roof , and your issue could be , loose bolts securing the A/C down or a gasket in need of replacement.
Once through into the " attic " water can travel just about anywhere.

Dropping the ceiling light will give you a 5 " X 16" hole to look around , and possibly pinpoint the problem. Squeeze the lens at the ends to remove, and access the mount screws.

BTW: Back in the day ; Newmar used the Dutch Star name on both gas chassis and diesel pusher motor homes , it's important to mention chassis info when asking questions.

[rodrigo]

Originally Posted by Skip426

The roof A/C units , have gaskets to seal them to the roof , and your issue could be , loose bolts securing the A/C down or a gasket in need of replacement.
Once through into the " attic " water can travel just about anywhere.

Dropping the ceiling light will give you a 5 " X 16" hole to look around , and possibly pinpoint the problem. Squeeze the lens at the ends to remove, and access the mount screws.

BTW: Back in the day ; Newmar used the Dutch Star name on both gas chassis and diesel pusher motor homes , it's important to mention chassis info when asking questions.

Thanks again skip426. Yes I should have put that it was a freightliner with cat engine, sorry about that. How much damage will a small leak like that cause?
I was going to get you a pic of inverter today but became side tracked by the leak and my tires are 255/70/22.5 so I guess the PO knew to change the size like you said. There is a wrinkle in the roof skin across the whole roof about 2 foot behind the ac unit would this cause a leak?

[Skip426]

Sorry I didn't recognize your user name , I'm currently on with 5 different 98/99 Dutch Star owners; and I'm easily confused .

You posted 255/ 70 for the tire size , recall was to install 275/70 , was that a typo ?
I got side tracked and didn't get to the sidewall of my tires for max , load and pressure info .

When you drop the ceiling light you can feel around in the insulation to see how much water got in.
Do you have any info on the roof A/C units ?
I have the install papers and can check for bolt torque and a gasket part number.
Let me know what info you need.

[rodrigo]

Originally Posted by Skip426

Sorry I didn't recognize your user name , I'm currently on with 5 different 98/99 Dutch Star owners; and I'm easily confused .

You posted 255/ 70 for the tire size , recall was to install 275/70 , was that a typo ?
I got side tracked and didn't get to the sidewall of my tires for max , load and pressure info .

When you drop the ceiling light you can feel around in the insulation to see how much water got in.
Do you have any info on the roof A/C units ?
I have the install papers and can check for bolt torque and a gasket part number.
Let me know what info you need.

Skip unfortunately the PO did put 255/70/22.5. Do you think that's my problem? They all have about 110 lbs of air and the max is 120 cold

[Dutch Star Don]

"rodrigo".....I agree to start with the roof A/C. Drop the inside cover and you'll see four 7/16" bolts at the four corners. These are what secure the unit to the roof. They should occasionally be tightened, like every couple of years. Tightening them squeezes the foam gasket between the A/C and roof. You don't want to crank on the bolts, just give them a turn or so. It's best to use a 1/4" drive socket set so that you don't overtighten.

["007"]

You will find this information in QT's 1 & 2 below in my signature for older MH's.

[Skip426]

Originally Posted by rodrigo

Skip unfortunately the PO did put 255/70/22.5. Do you think that's my problem? They all have about 110 lbs of air and the max is 120 cold

Slightly undersize , can you post the weight rating off the side wall .

I'll see if there is any info about height and inflation online.

My current Yokohama's 275/70R/22.5 Same as the Michelins I replaced
16 ply Load Range H
Single 6940 lbs @ 130 psi
Dual 6395 lbs @ 130 psi
As per the Yokohama web site inflation chart I run 95 front and 90 rear.

If the actual size and carrying capacity are ok , maybe over inflation is contributing to the handling issue.

BTW: Did you get all the winterizing info you needed , including the washer .
I have the Splendide info if you need it , I'll scan it through.

[Skip426]

OK , I haven't got to finding any specs on the tire brand you've listed .

BUT ! If they line up with the info on the Michelin brochure , they are just barely adequate , for the front axle in particular , the rating is only 300 lbs per tire better than the 255/80 s they were replacing .
255/80R/22.5
single , 5210 @ 110
dual , 4805 @ 110

255/70R/22.5
Single , 5510 @ 120
Dual 5070 @ 120

Our front axle weight rating of 10,410 needs more tire, than these can provide; the 275 puts more tread on the road , and carries more.
You've ordered steering parts but your next move is good tires of the correct size. If you need a copy of the recall , from 2004 , I can scan it to a pdf. and forward it.

[John C Irish]

very new to this site, with recent purchase fo 2003/2004 Holiday Rambler Ambassador with CUmmins diesel pusher. Was interested to find out more about the tire recall due to size / weight capacity issues? Would you mind linking me in to the details?

Thanks.

[Skip426]

Originally Posted by John C Irish

very new to this site, with recent purchase of 2003/2004 Holiday Rambler Ambassador with Cummins diesel pusher. Was interested to find out more about the tire recall due to size / weight capacity issues? Would you mind linking me in to the details?

Thanks.

John; Welcome to iRV2.

Unfortunately the recall , that rodrigo and I are discussing , involves only 1997 to 2000 Newmar Dutch Star diesel pushers on a Freightliner chassis ; and Kountry Star pushers built in 2001, 2002 , on Freightliner also.
So not one that would involve your coach .
Somehow , with only 25,000 miles , rodrigo's coach got missed in the recall ;and by mistake a new set of under size tires were installed.

[John C Irish]

My concern was when you mentioned Freightliner Chassis....which I was told is the foundation for the Ambassador. And after some strange handling characteristics I have had since I got her, have been looking for any/all possible causes or solutions.

Especially interested in something like the "steersafe" (or is it safe-steer) setup for the linkage?

Anyone have any input on something like that, pro or con?

[rodrigo]

Originally Posted by Skip426

OK , I haven't got to finding any specs on the tire brand you've listed .

BUT ! If they line up with the info on the Michelin brochure , they are just barely adequate , for the front axle in particular , the rating is only 300 lbs per tire better than the 255/80 s they were replacing .
255/80R/22.5
single , 5210 @ 110
dual , 4805 @ 110

255/70R/22.5
Single , 5510 @ 120
Dual 5070 @ 120

Our front axle weight rating of 10,410 needs more tire, than these can provide; the 275 puts more tread on the road , and carries more.
You've ordered steering parts but your next move is good tires of the correct size. If you need a copy of the recall , from 2004 , I can scan it to a pdf. and forward it.

Skip i looked at the tires on there and they are 255/70/22.5 and the weights you have listed are correct for that tire. The brand name of the tire is Goodride CR976A, load range H 16PR AT120 cold, no country of origin I can find on the tire but I believe they are China tires. I would like to have a copy of the recall if it's not to much trouble

[rodrigo]

Skip what do you think of continental tires?