Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: Water leak at A/C (Read 22 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Water leak at A/C
Yahoo Message Number: 99708
Our new to us 1997 RB has a small water leak at the front of the A/C. Didn't leak when parked but when we went to fill the propane tank today a tablespoon came out of the shroud.
No stains on ceiling but the ceiling is not flat around the A/C.
 Coach has not been used much lately and I suspect that the gasket and sealant are in need of replacement after all the years.
 Can water get in if the outside shroud on the A/C is damaged? Can I lift up the A/C and support it on blocks and replace the gasket?

Jim & Donna 1997 RB
Re: Water leak at A/C
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99714
"Can water get in if the outside shroud on the A/C is damaged? Can I lift up the A/C and support it on blocks and replace the gasket?"

Jim & Donna

Find the leak first! Removing the A/C is a major project. The Factory glues the gasket on both sides with polyurethane.
Getting the A/C back into position, while gluing the gasket, can easily turn into a world-class mess.
The evaporator drain holes can get plugged with debris and let water overflow into the interior.
Water can enter the evaporator area either from condensation, while the A/C is operating or through a leaky plastic exterior cover.
Remove the exterior cover to inspect the drains and to check if the cover itself has hole through which water can leak.
Clean the cooling fins, on the condenser, at the same time the cover is off.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Water leak at A/C
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99727
Quote
Can water get in if the outside shroud on the A/C is damaged? Can I
lift up the A/C and

Quote
support it on blocks and replace the gasket?
We had a leak from our A/C.  It had a crack at one of the screws holding the top half of the shroud.  With the suggestion of Vince at the factory, I covered the cracked area with sealant.  We've been through a LOT of rain since, with no leaking.

Art
Art and Barbara
Settled in Atterdag Village of Solvang
2015-2022 fulltime in a 2016 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP
2002-2015 2002 LD MB
Art's blog
Re: Water leak at A/C
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99728
When (if?) it stops raining... I will get on the roof and check the shroud and the drains (thanks, Larry W). I hope it is something minor.

Jim & Donna 1997 RB
Re: Water leak at A/C
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99780
Yes it can leak at the because of the cover. And though I haven't changed the gasket on an LD I have changed several AC gaskets over the years and never found it to be much of a job. I have even switched AC units from on Class C to another and didn't find that to be much of a job.

But water and wood is bad...and needs fixed..
Garry
Re: Water leak at A/C
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99791
Quote
Yes it can leak at the because of the cover. And though I haven't changed the gasket on an LD I have changed several AC gaskets over the years and never found it to be much of a job. I have even switched AC units from on Class C to another and didn't find that to be much of a job.
Be careful.

Having had to replace an AC unit (it was defective), I can tell you that LD's installation is, shall we say, "complete"  They sit the AC's gasket on a rim of body putty about 1" wide all around the AC's hole.
The other side of the gasket, of course, glued to the AC unit.

I talked to Steve before the process and he said that if you try to lift the AC off of the roof, it will stretch the aluminum roof cover and it will never ever lie flat again.  That's the way of sheet metal.
Steve said that after removing the AC's lower unit, to using a small pointy hand saw, reach between the AC unit and the roof and cut the the gasket in half, all the way around.  Then and only then should you try to lift the AC unit.

Mine was a warrantee fix so I came to the AC shop prepared with an appropriate saw and handed it to the technician.  Once the gasket was cut in half, the AC unit came right off, but we then spent the better part of 40 minutes removing the lower half of the seal and the putty off of the aluminum roof being careful to not mar or dent its surface.
The putty is incredibly sticky.  The tech wasn't interested in installing more putty so my AC is just sitting on the roof like the SOBs install theirs.
 Have you thought about using some Parlastic sealant and running a bead around the outside or inside of the existing gasket?

Linley