Just spent the last two days washing and cleaning the van, inside and out.

When we were in Victoria we experienced a leak in the front of the van somewhere.  Couldn't locate the source of it back then and still cannot.

So over the next week I will be resealing every joint on the front of the van.  What a job coming up.

We have been doing the same Derek and hope to head away Friday for a couple of weeks.  :)

I don't envy you having to do that sealing job.

Jeff

We now get our van serviced every 12 months...includes brakes ..bearings...and full check of underneath have the tyres rotated too........as the door side wears out fast

Maggie popped her head inside today and said, Oh it looks like a new one.

So I must have achieved something.  ;D

Smokeydk wrote on Sep 27^th, 2016 at 8:46pm:

We now get our van serviced every 12 months

Had ours done just before we went away last time so all good.  Brakes, bearings, suspension etc.  Only problem was they were too friendly with grease and it was everywhere :)

Went to the big green shed today and picked up some Sikaflex and a few other odds and sods then to BCF for some fibreglass boat polish as she was starting to look a little dull being out in the weather all the time

Started polishing and only managed to finish one side and the rear.  Boy she's a big bugger when you gotta do that.   ;D ;D ;D

Most of the sealing done yesterday and finished off the polishing this morning and now it is peeing down with rain.   >:( >:( :( :( :-/ :-/ :'( :'(

Oh well sunny skies forecast for the next week.  :D

Did you find the source of the leak Derek with all the cleaning.

jclures wrote on Oct 4^th, 2016 at 10:03am:

Did you find the source of the leak Derek with all the cleaning.

While all the joints did seem fine I found that the front window rubber seemed to be unclipped out of the frame.  Kinda dropped down a little and I am assuming that could be it.  Only leaks when driving in the rain so am assuming the water was getting driven in through there.

Time will tell I guess.

Having to seal all windows in my small van in the coming months. Also be painting a bit inside when they are out. Not a great expense but time consuming.

Have been replacing the splats around the wheel uarce as they became brittle and one disinigrate coming home from Adelaide end of April. Using 40 mm aluminium angle to replace and will paint white.

---

I found my leak
it was the top light on the drivers side
the screws holding the light were OK

but where the wire went into the caravan had not been
sealed , some silastic and now does not leak

it only leaked when driving as the pressure pushed the water in through the plastic grommet at the back of the light frame

Water leaks are the pits I reckon.  Good that you found it.

I noticed a water stain around the skylight in my motorhome so I pulled the surround off and found it was quite a serious leak, made a few enquiries and was told because of the curve in the roof this was a common problem as the builders cut corners by only using a sealant instead of using a flexible membrane and sealant.
After removing the skylight I dropped it from the top of the ladder breaking the plexiglass assembly turning a relatively inexpensive job into a very costly one. While I was at it I removed and resealed all the other vents etc on the roof and found in most cases the original sealer had hardened or deteriorated and was leaking!!!
I've never liked Silastic as a sealant, I always use an automotive sealant made by Sikaflex, I can't remember the type number, ask the bloke in the red shirt at The Big Shed.   :D
Rob.

I have been using Bostik  Seal N Flex 1 to bond the sheeting to my camper, or  Seal N Flex FC if I want to work on it in a few hours as it goes of quite a bit quicker. Th FC version is more expensive though, even in the sausage gun size.
The best thing I have brought for my job is the air sausage gun, makes life easier.

Sikaflex 11FC is the one caravan manufacturers use. It bonds as well as seals.

I glued the brackets onto my old caravan for the solar panels and resealed all the front of the van with it.

There are some magic products available these days