CARA has returned

[Bryteayes]

CARA our 1988 M1079A0 has returned from the fabricators. Now I need to chase down leaks in the original habitat. There will be water on the floor but no water anywhere else. Any hints on how to track down the source of the leaks?View attachment IMG_7694.jpegView attachment 934835View attachment IMG_7681.jpegView attachment 934835

 

[Karl kostman]

The first thing I would do is go over all the seams with a good RV type sealant, everything on the roof sides and front of the unit then see what you have. These type of leaks can be difficult to pin point because the water gets in and then can very possible flow to somewhere else. I had a shelter in a Deuce that had a similar issue and just went over every seam on the unit then on the rook I went over every rivet and bolt in it and that was the end of it. If its not obvious where the leak is your best bet is to re-seal everything!

 

[serpico760]

The first thing I would do is go over all the seams with a good RV type sealant, everything on the roof sides and front of the unit then see what you have. These type of leaks can be difficult to pin point because the water gets in and then can very possible flow to somewhere else. I had a shelter in a Deuce that had a similar issue and just went over every seam on the unit then on the rook I went over every rivet and bolt in it and that was the end of it. If its not obvious where the leak is your best bet is to re-seal everything!

What I did on my expansible van habitat, was to sand down and clean the whole roof, wipe it with alcohol and acetone, and then coat it with Henry's tropi-cool Gray silicone roof sealant. Not a single drop of leakage after that and it keeps the roof a lot cooler. Use their silicone sealant on all the visible seams first and then coat the whole thing including over the edge like an inch or so

 

[serpico760]

 

[Bryteayes]

I used Liquid Rubber seam tape on all seams on the roof. I coated the roof with three layers of the Liquid rubber. Every screw, bolt on the roof was sealed.

I worry about the marker lights being a source of the leaks. The elephant in the room is of course the windows.

 

[Third From Texas]

View attachment 934842

I need to do my roof asap.

I keep putting it off, but it needs to happen before I can return to the build out.

 

[Bryteayes]

I need to do my roof asap.

I keep putting it off, but it needs to happen before I can return to the build out.

It surprised me how much a solid aluminum box can leak. My leaks seem to be controlled after i sealed the roof and put new gaskets and sikaflex on all marker lights; however, we live in San Angelo and the next west Texas rainy season is scheduled for 15 years from now.

And I put the first two coats of paint on the extension yesterday. I need to sand it and put another layer on when I get off work today.