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Topic: Removing an End Cap to check for water damage. (Read 471 times) previous topic - next topic
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Removing an End Cap to check for water damage.
We are 2nd owners of a 97 RB and live in So Cal.  We recently discovered moisture in the passenger side front lower compartment, only on the right side.  Not much rain here, but I did notice condensation dripping only from the front cab over right corner.  If the water traveled from the cab over, it then went backward.  It's a mystery as to where it came in and at this point we want to assess the internal damage and figure out a repair.  We have: been to the factory and another RV shop in our area, taken the window loose to see if if leaked around there (no sign), looked at the roof (could be resealed, for sure) inspected the interior (no sign of water damage) and spend countless hours searching for information here.  The shops would charge thousands to troubleshoot and then repair ((Todd said 10-15 thousand, by email but did look at it later in person and said we could trouble shoot ourselves-they are backed up on repairs).  We want to see what's going on inside and then make a decision.  It seems like we could remove that corner vertical round to the left of the passenger door and see if water came down that way.  Any advice?  I could not find anything on how to get that end cap off, and what should I see?  We got the screws out but how to remove the glue?  Any advice is appreciated!
Mari Casanova
2004 Rear Bath "Koko"
1996 Rear Bath  "Cool Runnings"
Re: Removing an End Cap to check for water damage.
Reply #1 –
Unless the end cap is falling off, I would not attempt to remove it, too much of a chance to destory it in the process, which will require an expensive replacement and repainting, the caps are gray when new. .
If concerned about it leaking, reseal it. A 1997 LD probalby needs everything resealed.
You can inspect some of the framing inside, from the lower storage comparment. Is there any visible rot in the framing?
Have you tried poking around the interior inside corner with an ice pick, looking for soft, rotted wood.
Are there signs of water damage or a musty smell? Is the only indication of a problem the water you found or is there any olvious damage?
It has not rained much in SoCal lately, any idea what the source of the water was? If recently washed, water can get around the storage compartment seals, the Factory does not consider them to be totally watertight and recommend not storing moisture sentive items there.

I would do more investigating before tearing into things, you maybe opening a can of worms.

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: Removing an End Cap to check for water damage.
Reply #2 –
I'm not Larry, the expert at this.  First I'd carefully put some acrylic sealant in the screw holes of your end caps, and put the screws back in. Removing the end caps is a 'last resort' type of thing.  If the window above this compartment is ok at the top and sides outside, then that should be ok.  I think most likely that the water is dripping down off of the roof and entering your compartment the old fashioned way.
    I have a '99 TK in San Diego and have a similar dew dripping off of the roof in the morning, thing.  Your '97 is old enough that the compartment seal strips could be loose, and water is just leaking inside the compartment that way. (I have a few to reglue myself).  Is this a lot of water?, and is it near the compartment door, or farther inside the compartment?
    I'm including a picture from a MB that I worked on a few years ago. I removed the two sided tape originally used to attach the strips, cleaned and reglued with clear Gorilla glue, very small amounts. It foams and is easy to remove from around the edges after it dries.  Particularly avoid pulling on it to stretch it around the corners. I had some new stuff from the factory to splice in about two inches at the top. (because I didn't stretch it.)   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Removing an End Cap to check for water damage.
Reply #3 –
I agree with Ron, it could be the bin itself.  Check the sealant between the compartment opening - especially the top but all around that opening - as the seal of the bin door.  Picture attached (I borrowed Ron's and just edited it).
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: Removing an End Cap to check for water damage.
Reply #4 –
Thanks, guys! I am happy to put the screws back in place and seal!  That seemed like a place we might gain insight to interior damage, the only reason we wanted to check behind there.  The compartment had some containers that were damp with wet boxes, and it still smells musty a month after we found it.  I poked around with an ice pick, at your suggestion.  The wood toward the front corner does feel a bit spongy, but the back is pretty solid feeling.  And when checking the seal around the door there was a bit of the rubber that could be lifted on the upper right!  I think in addition to a repair on the door rubber, we might have to replace some of the wood on the compartment base, or just shore it up.  Still need to seal the roof and whole coach. Yuk!  I need chocolate.
Mari Casanova
2004 Rear Bath "Koko"
1996 Rear Bath  "Cool Runnings"
Re: Removing an End Cap to check for water damage.
Reply #5 –
Quote from: mamanova  - 
The compartment had some containers that were damp with wet boxes, and it still smells musty a month after we found it.  I poked around with an ice pick, at your suggestion.  The wood toward the front corner does feel a bit spongy, but the back is pretty solid feeling.  And when checking the seal around the door there was a bit of the rubber that could be lifted on the upper right!  I think in addition to a repair on the door rubber, we might have to replace some of the wood on the compartment base, or just shore it up.  Still need to seal the roof and whole coach. Yuk!  I need chocolate.

Leave the storage compartment empty and open during the hot weather now to completely dry it. Try hosing the area around the compartment, with the door shut, and see if any moisture shows up.
For now, I would concentrate on the bigger jobs of repairing the compartment door seal and then resealing the roof, windows and end caps, preventing any rot from continuing.
It's a big job but needs to be done before the winter comes. With so much of the world still shut down, now is as good a time as any to get to work.
This is one of the many joys of buying an antique LD. it's time to invest some sweat equity in increasing your LDs life and utility.

The soft area might be best left alone, at least until resealing everything else.
LDs have a lot of solid structure and many times, existing rot isn't known about because the surrounding area is strong enough to carry the load without visible indications of it occurring.  This may be one of those situations where the cure is worse than the disease. Reinforcing the existing framework may be a better approach, if needed.

Any screws on the exterior that are loose should be removed and checked for rust. Many times, much of a screw that has been wet is rusted through and gone. I replace these with longer than stock, stainless steel sheet metal screws, the hole sealed with a bit of sealant, as Ron suggested.  The longer screws bit into wood that is still intact.
The long, metal strips that cover the joints between the upper coach and the lower fiberglass panels have screws that are often rusted and leaking.

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: Removing an End Cap to check for water damage.
Reply #6 –
Thank you all for your help. It is so great to get reliable information from people who know the coach so well.
Mari Casanova
2004 Rear Bath "Koko"
1996 Rear Bath  "Cool Runnings"
Water leak sensor
Reply #7 –

I'm dealing with this issue right now in another thread and repairing water damage.  The guys on here are awesome!

Has anyone attempted to use a water leak sensor like this to monitor end cap leaks?  I'm considering placing the sensor at the bottom of the inside of the end cap where water might collect (although I wonder if it will pool there since the wood absorbs it).  I could then mount the alarm inside the cabin.

Instapark Water Leakage Detection Alarm and Sensor, Low Battery Alert - -...

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