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Old 04-21-2015, 07:35 AM   #1
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Finding roof leaks

Heavy rains last week demonstrated some issues, and it looks like most are seams, as they all stopped when I moved the bus uphill - all but one. The one dripping on to the driver's dash. The primary suspect is this guy. Not sure what it is or purpose, or even what problems I will cause if I caulk it/remove it?


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Old 04-21-2015, 07:49 AM   #2
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That should be a vent to let bus breathe, on mine when I removed it, it had a lip upwards about 3/8 inch high, so a leak from there not likely UNLESS the rivets are leaking

can you look inside of it and see if it has a lip?
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Old 04-21-2015, 08:25 AM   #3
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Spray some koolaid on the suspected leak spot and see if the color appears inside. Just my 3 cents.
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Old 04-21-2015, 08:52 AM   #4
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not sure how to look inside of it?
this is what it looks like on the inside.... directly below

looks like mold?



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Old 04-21-2015, 09:01 AM   #5
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I had one of those. Supposedly it is to allow air in / out for expansion and contraction of the air when the bus is in the sun and for day / night or whatever. Unless your bus is super airtight I don't think it is necessary. I took mine out and patched over it. No issues yet. Mine had that nasty mold under it on the panel not necessarily from leakage but probably just years of air / condensation coming through.

To find leaks, I simply went out in the bus when I had the interior totally stripped (ceiling panels out too) during a heavy rainstorm and made sure I had some bright halogen lights on inside. I had probably 6 or 7 different leak spots on mine, several from the roof hatches which I replaced with units from another member here and resealed. Some were leaky rivets which I just gobbed silicone over. Others were seams at the sheet metal. I used some gooey rubber roof caulk from Home depot to seal ALL seams on the roof (if you PM me to remind me I will link it to you). Finally, I used elastomeric roof paint to paint the roof white (heat reflection) and used a 4" brush over the riveted areas on the roof, and just slathered the pain on there real thick. All the other areas I just rolled it. That took care of all but one of my leaks which came from a side panel gap in an area where a lot of water was running down the side of the bus. That one I just undid / broke off the screws (Thomas built bus which uses screws instead of rivets in many places) and riveted it into place with some automotive seam sealer.
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Old 04-22-2015, 06:43 AM   #6
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so I simulated a repair, and a rainstorm yesterday, with no leaks. Maybe I will leave the repair and wait for the next rainstorm? I hesitate only because I fear results of removing the vent. Would that not cause MORE moisture?
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Old 04-22-2015, 06:50 AM   #7
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I have a similar vent that leaks horribly.
My solution was to buy a new rv roof vent. Yeah it requires cutting. But I figure one can't have too much ventilation.
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Old 04-22-2015, 08:43 AM   #8
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Just remove that that roof vent. It's not needed.

You would be better off adding a vent in the rear cap of the bus at the highest point.

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Old 04-24-2015, 04:15 PM   #9
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Talking

Well I got to cuttin and pryin today........




then I had to administer a beat-down, to make the roof "flush" for the new patch.







post beat down



patch installed, lotsa sticky jelly underneath and around edges




remnants





results tomorrow after the storms
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Old 04-24-2015, 05:08 PM   #10
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Great pics.

I like the steps shown in pics form.

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Old 04-25-2015, 06:13 AM   #11
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great job,doing the same to mine
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Old 04-25-2015, 09:26 AM   #12
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so the storms came at 4am, so I dragged my ass out of a warm bed to see the drips, and if I had conquered The Holy.

Results:
Front drip over the dash? GONE
3rd Passenger wind drip? GONE
2 of the 4 rear leaks? Gone, but only 2 of them.

the 2 remaining drips are most likely due to the fact I skipped some rear seams, and was stingy on the other rear seams to conserve the 212 - yes, I knew what I was doing. So I have to crawl back up there, but at least I am confirming the 212 works.
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Old 05-03-2016, 03:25 PM   #13
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Thanks for your post Dredman ,I'm going through the exact same thing with mine and was debating about the vent and if it had a purpose.
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Old 05-03-2016, 05:19 PM   #14
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I just do what I am told
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Old 05-03-2016, 06:03 PM   #15
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So do you take instruction from just about anyone or only Mrs dredman or dredwoman?
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Old 05-03-2016, 08:56 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Robin97396 View Post
So do you take instruction from just about anyone or only Mrs dredman or dredwoman?
HAHA, not back then, that might be why she split?
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Old 05-03-2016, 11:03 PM   #17
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That seems to be the theme in most of our lives.

I'm happy to be free again. Free like a salmon that finished his work.
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Old 05-04-2016, 06:00 AM   #18
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When my 1982 model started making too much noise I traded her in for a 92' with a lot less miles.
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Old 05-04-2016, 08:57 AM   #19
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Noise was never a real problem with my old '74, she just smoked a lot, and just sat there when you stepped on the gas? But she was comfy - maybe TOO comfy. It got so comfy in fact, it was hard to even get in past all the thick upholstery. Currently looking for a newer, more responsive sports model with low miles.
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Old 05-04-2016, 10:13 AM   #20
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My 59 thought she was just as good as a newer model. Same equipment my butt.
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