Completing the Eternabond project that I take in small bites this day and that.
I can see the sealant under the A/C and it doesn't look too good. No leaks yet but.......
How the heck can I get that sealed? Is that something that requires a shop? Only taken Ruby to a repair service three times in 13 years; two issues with the generator and one with the fridge. From there some general engine work from the Ford dealer and everything else me. I find it painful to think about others fondling my Ruby!! 😁
Appreciate opinions.
Thanks, Dave
Normal RV's don't have sealant under the rooftop A/C unit. The seal is made with a gasket. There are 4 bolts that you can reach from inside the coach that compress the gasket. The gasket will compress over time and eventually need to be replaced.
Lazy Daze isn't a normal RV manufacturer, so I think they also use polyurethane sealant to glue the bottom of the gasket to the roof.
A common mistake some people make is to squirt sealant around the base of the rooftop A/C. This seals the condensate drain holes, leaving that water with no good place to go.
Long story short - seal the A/C with a gasket and don't add any sealant. A leaking gasket needs to be compressed or replaced.
Rich
'03 MB in NC
A common mistake some people make is to squirt sealant around the base of the rooftop A/C. This seals the condensate drain holes, leaving that water with no good place to go.
Long story short - seal the A/C with a gasket and don't add any sealant. A leaking gasket needs to be compressed or replaced.
On the LD's that I have checked, the A/C'S gasket is glued to the roof.
As Rich suggested, snug up the A/C's hold down bolts and leave it alone unless there is a leak.
The hold down bolts are located behind the interior trim piece. The cover is held down by 4-6 small screws, usually hidden under the air filters.
If there is a leak, you will know it, the A/C is at the lowest spot on the roof. It's the first place I look for leaks, when it is raining.
A leak, coming out of the A/C's interior cover, can be caused several things, besides a bad gasket.
Plugged condensation drains are a common cause, so check them before replacing the gasket, if a leak occurs.
If a roof leaks in an area near the rooftop A/C, it can travel on top of the interior's ceiling paneling and drain into the interior around the A/C's cover.
The hole can be several feet away and still drain from the A/C.
The A/C's roof cover should be removed periodically to clean the debris build up, inside the cover, that can clog the evaporator's fin and condenser drains.
It is also a good time to clean around the perimeter of the A/C, which has limited access when the cover is in place.
I have also found tiny leaks in the roof's aluminum skin, cause by small rocks getting trapped under an antenna or possibly stepped on, poking a very small, hard to find hole. Once found, a 2"X 2" piece of Eternabond tape makes a permanent patch.
Larry
Thanks fellas, awesome info as always. No leaks yet (knock wood) but doing fall maintenance on the rig so timely advice.
Funny thing about a fall maintenace To-Do list is as you check off items from the list new items magically appear. Why, two more popped on there as I lay in bed last night thinking about the ol' girl!!! 😆
"Funny thing about a fall maintenance To-Do list is as you check off items from the list new items magically appear."
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My 'seasonal' maintenance task list goes without a break from January through December. ;)
"My 'seasonal' maintenance task list goes without a break from January through December. ;)"
This schedule ensures that my ambition, other demands, and mindset all align so my best work results.
Epilogue: gasket is pliable and looks in great shape. It's a pretty easy observation that probably needs to be added to my annual tasks list.