Leak in Overhead

Brent · Post by **Brent** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 10:07 pm

I have a leak in the overhead - finding water just below the overhead window.

BF customer services says use GE rubberized silicone. Other websites say that is a bad thing to use and some of the selections are Eternabond tape or PR-255, Parlastic or similar.

Any recommendations - I've seen on one search some have recommended Dicor?

mockturtle · Post by **mockturtle** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 11:35 pm

You hear a lot of nonsense about not using silicone. I think where it started was with rubber roofs, as it is apparently incompatible. I recently had my windows professionally resealed and they used rubberized silicone. It's flexible and conformable. It's also stable. No doubt there will be naysayers.

jlef123 · Post by **jlef123** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 11:16 am

I too have a persistent leak in the Cabover window in my 2002 RB. The water comes out from the lower right hand corner of the window. I have had the window removed by a professional RV service center and recaulked to better than original specifications. After the second try the window stopped leaking for awhile but resumed after several months. They then tried stopping the leak 2 more times with various sealants. No success. The technicians comment about class C's in general was that the OC windows are too big and the buffeting by the wind going down the road and the natural twisting of the body will defeat just about any attempt to seal that particular window. There must be something to it as 2002 was about the last year that Born Free put a window in the OC area. My solution is to have the window removed and replaced with a fiberglass patch sealed to the body that Born Free developed last year. If interested , speak to Kim at BF. I have an appointment at the factory in August to have this done. I am hoping that that is the last of the leak. Yes, I did have the marker lights checked, resealed and some replaced and the roof seams checked.

Brent · Post by **Brent** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 11:03 pm

Thank you Sam and Joel - good information. Do you happen to have an idea of what this "patch" would cost that replaces the overhead window?

I wonder if anyone has one that doesn't or hasn't ever leaked?
Brent

jlef123 · Post by **jlef123** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 9:25 am

I am planning on keeping the coach for many more years. The cost at the factory to have this done is $1200 and takes 2 days. Have to check in to motel while it is being done. My local RV shop estimated a substantially higher cost. They would be building a wood structure to replace the window and applying a sheet of fiberglass in the opening. As I understand the BF fix it is a fiberglass cap with an inside piece that is attached to the outside piece and pressed together. Sam, I assume that this fix is somewhat different from yours as I understand that it was just developed last year. You wind up without a window, which is OK with me as I always keep it covered anyway. If the factory is monitoring this site perhaps they can give a more technical description of the repair. My travel costs are not excessive as I am combining a vacation trip into it. I always wanted to vacation in Iowa. Anyone know any interesting places around Humboldt?

bigdipper · Post by **bigdipper** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 9:47 am

Brent wrote:Thank you Sam and Joel - good information. Do you happen to have an idea of what this "patch" would cost that replaces the overhead window?

I wonder if anyone has one that doesn't or hasn't ever leaked?
Brent

My 2001 23RK never leaked in 10 years and nearly 70000. Granted we live in dry country, but it DID rain on us from time to time and we have driven in rain.
Ralph

Brent · Post by **Brent** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 12:31 am

That's not inexpensive to fix what some feel is a design flaw; but I'm like you I try to maintain the coach so i can put many more miles on it and a leaking motor home does take some of the fun out of traveling - so something has to be done.

Ralph it's good to know you have a dry one.

Brent

Mike Astley · Post by **Mike Astley** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 9:03 am

Interesting to hear that they have a fix now. I was at the shop in May last year and specifically asked if they had one as our window has leaked despite repeated "fixes". They told me at that time that they had no window removal fix available.

We keep a wall papering water trough beneath our window since it leaks so much.

litehous · Post by **litehous** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 8:12 pm

I have a 2001 23RK also, and the 1st cabover window was defective after a couple of years. BF shipped a new one to me, I had it installed by an auto glass company that knows campers. A couple of years later it leaked again, but he removed it and rechalked it and it has been fine since. Try a good Auto Glass dealer to stop the leaks.