Leaking Van

[MolongMick]

Well, how do I start.

I had a leak above the front cupboard of our van, it was leaking into the front cupboard from the seal where the front panel meets the hard roof. (if this makes sense) I resealed this and the leak stopped.

YAY, I thought, but alas this is not to be the case, last night, while it was raining quite heavily, I thought I will just check to see if it has worked. Yes it did, but there was another leak, now coming in from the cupboard above the front dining seat on the road side of the van.

This was leaking so bad, that the entire seat base was wet and pools of water were on the floor and under the seat.

I had a quick look for any sealing issues that might not be right, but can't see anything.

Has anyone else had this type of issue?

(I'm off on a six week trip in two weeks so I need to have this sorted ASAP)

Help anyone.........

 

[Burnsy]

Sorry to hear about the leak mate.....nothing worse. So do you think it's coming in from the pop top roof? Sometimes it's hard to see the problem area, it can be a "flap" of sealer that hasn't taken to the roof properly. Is it still under warranty? I had a leak with our pop top but was able to identify the area and taped it up with duct tape until it was resealed. In any case I'd cover it up with a tarp and deal with it when you return from your trip, you don't want to be stressing while your away!
By the way, Jayco resealed my roof out of warranty!

 

[relgate]

Sorry to hear that Mick
I have some evidence of a leak around the cables that run up to the pop top in that area. I'm guessing you've checked this.
Definately worth taking photos and dating them. I'm guessing yours in only 6mnths or so out of warranty?

 

[The Alberto]

Hey mate,

I had the exact same issue with my van when it was new. It was leaking into the cupboard directly above the table opposite the door. It was then running down the window and onto the floor and seat cushions. I tried about 3 different places armed with the trusty silicone gun with no luck. It then dawned on me that this was the exact place where the aerial was located for the radio. I removed the screw holding the aerial in place and found that it was not sealed well at all. I filled the hole with silicone and replaced the screw and it has not leaked since. Not sure if this will fix your issue, but worth a shot if your aerial is located in the same place as mine.

Good Luck.

 

[MolongMick]

Sorry to hear about the leak mate.....nothing worse. So do you think it's coming in from the pop top roof? Sometimes it's hard to see the problem area, it can be a "flap" of sealer that hasn't taken to the roof properly. Is it still under warranty? I had a leak with our pop top but was able to identify the area and taped it up with duct tape until it was resealed. In any case I'd cover it up with a tarp and deal with it when you return from your trip, you don't want to be stressing while your away!
By the way, Jayco resealed my roof out of warranty!

Thanks for the idea of using the tarp, but the van is coming with us, which is why I need it sealed.

 

[MolongMick]

Sorry to hear that Mick
I have some evidence of a leak around the cables that run up to the pop top in that area. I'm guessing you've checked this.
Definately worth taking photos and dating them. I'm guessing yours in only 6mnths or so out of warranty?

@relgate, the leak definitely appears to be coming from inside the cupboard area, right up the top where it meets the steel frame of the pop top area. I will need to run the hose over the area to see if I can replicate the leak.


Yeah, i'm six month out of warranty, I will go and see the Jayco dealer and see what they suggest.

 

[MolongMick]

Hey mate,

I had the exact same issue with my van when it was new. It was leaking into the cupboard directly above the table opposite the door. It was then running down the window and onto the floor and seat cushions. I tried about 3 different places armed with the trusty silicone gun with no luck. It then dawned on me that this was the exact place where the aerial was located for the radio. I removed the screw holding the aerial in place and found that it was not sealed well at all. I filled the hole with silicone and replaced the screw and it has not leaked since. Not sure if this will fix your issue, but worth a shot if your aerial is located in the same place as mine.

Good Luck.

@The Alberto I will check the aerial connection and see if this could be a source of water coming in, but it is not quite in the right spot for the leak. Thanks for the hint though.

 

[Burnsy]

Thanks for the idea of using the tarp, but the van is coming with us, which is why I need it sealed.

Oh, ok. There are screws in that mould that runs around the top of the wall, maybe leaking there? Keep in mind the duct tape worse case, I had mine on for about 3 months before Jayco resealed it and it worked well! Ours was also about 6 months out of warranty, they weren't keen at first then I used the approach " do you warn customers that Jaycos could leak after 18 months? " After inspecting they admitted the sealer was stuffed....Hope you get it sorted before your trip!

 

[MolongMick]

Rang Jayco, will take the van in tomorrow and they will look at it next week. should have it back by the end of the week for packing for my holiday.

Jayco was very good and willing to help out.
Will let you know when I talk to them tomorrow what they think it might be.

 

[Burnsy]

Sounds comforting Mick, good to hear!

 

[casiochris]

Mine was leaking through the aerial hole as well. No sealant what so ever!

 

[MolongMick]

Mine was leaking through the aerial hole as well. No sealant what so ever!

Thanks,
I will mention the aerial to the service bloke at Jayco, I am not sure if this is the case, I hope it is, but there was just too much water. But anything is possible.

 

[The Alberto]

I was amazed at just how much water came in through the aerial hole (admittedly it was bucketing down in December 2010 just before the 2011 QLD floods). I kept thinking, surely that can't be it.

 

[MolongMick]

Dropped the van off at Jayco this afternoon, the service manager came out and had a look at where I saw the water and where I thought it might be coming in. He said they would get on it right away. It is going to be covered under warranty as an ongoing issue. (This is what the service manager said.)

I will pick up the van next week, I hve given them till Thursday to fix it. (I need to pack the van for our siix week Qld trip) The manager said that he will look into the aerial posibility and work his way up the van from there, using the hose to see if he can replicate the leak. He saw evidence of water on the table and lounge suite timber base, so he knows this is legitimate.

Fingers crossed that the problem will be fixed.

 

[chartrock]

Good luck Mick, I hope they sort it out quickly for you.

 

[MolongMick]

Good luck Mick, I hope they sort it out quickly for you.

So do I Chartrock@ I am hoping this will be the last of these issues.

 

[waznvic]

G'day Mick.
My 16.43 has a similar leak so I'm waiting with interest to see the result. I've looked high and low and cant's see the point of entry. I don't have an aerial and I've hosed all around the window without it leaking.
Cheers
Waz

 

[MolongMick]

G'day Mick.
My 16.43 has a similar leak so I'm waiting with interest to see the result. I've looked high and low and cant's see the point of entry. I don't have an aerial and I've hosed all around the window without it leaking.
Cheers
Waz

Will do, will go and see them tomorrow to see if they have resolved/found the issue.
Let's hope it is all fixed and ready to go.

Let you know as soon as I know what went wrong.

 

[MolongMick]

I got The van back today. The Jayco service people had a thorough looking over the van and could not find anywhere where the water could come in, except the hole behind the aerial. You guessed it, no sealant there at all. I am hoping that this is the end of the leaking van (fingers crossed).

On another note, I had issues with the breakaway battery not being charged, you can get a small charger (from breakaway) that plugs into the the power supply and will charge the breakaway battery while on mains power, only cost $29. I do have an issue with the tug not sending a charge through to the vans ctec unit, so I will sus that one out tomorrow.
Just in case you wanted to know.

 

[relgate]

Thanks for the update Mick. Hope there are no more leaks!