Advice on resealing a leaky high top van?

[JWA]

Originally Posted by SMB123

Things aren't always as they seem but usually less complicated than the average human makes 'em.

Very, very true and not trying to be rude or insulting but most of the information posted so far doesn't do much to clarify WHERE this leak is showing itself inside the cabin and when or if it's noticeable to the bare eye in this van's existing state of assembly or completion.

I'm in the auto/truck glass replacement business so have more experience with trying to find and cure auto body/glass leaks. The photos aren't helpful at all since they're too much "out of context" or zoomed too much.

It would probably be easier for you and I to speak on the phone sometime when I can ask questions in real time. Please don't post more photos just yet though.

PM me your phone info and best time to try making contact. In EST and prefer telephone conversations before Noon.

Hope this helps!

[posplayr]

Originally Posted by Steve Hunt

To that point, I had water pooling in the floor of a car once to the point of rotting the carpet and when i finally figured out what was happening it turned out to be water traveling on a single strand of wire that was not OEM, it was part of a aftermarket alarm system. It was shocking how much water could "ride" that wire and find its way to the floor.

My 2000 E-350 XLT EB with hightop, has the usual aluminum trim strip with sheet metal screws holding it on. I know the previous owner had a shop apply some type of sealant all around to fix what I can only imagine was a persistent moisture problem.

I got a much clearer picture of what was going on after removing the entire headlines including in the cab area. There were no obvious signs of Butyl, silicone, or any other sealant between the fiberglass top and the steel body.

And although it did not seem to have been a big issue with water intrusion, there was not only a surprising amount of rust at the screw holes, but in a couple of instances quarter-sized holes of roof rot. This was caused by the persistent dribble of water that found an entry under the heads of the screws and dribbled its way along the length to rot the roof out. Bear in mind that this is an Arizona vehicle spending its whole life between Tuscon, Pheonix, and Yuma, an area not known for rain except in the intermittent monsoonal season. We have some rat rods that drive around with no paint just bare metal.

If you rewatch the video where the butal rubber is being installed be specifically mentioned the screw holes.

[EricI]

Originally Posted by N147JK

Can't tell from the photos, but what is the interior finish like? If there's no cabinets, electrical, or other stuff in place, you could unfasten the top, lift it 1/2 inch, and really reseal the whole thing better than new. Just a thought, instead of trying to "plug" holes.

Yeah, I may try that if I get enough energy for such a job. It's probably the best way to do it.

[EricI]

Originally Posted by JWA

Very, very true and not trying to be rude or insulting but most of the information posted so far doesn't do much to clarify WHERE this leak is showing itself inside the cabin and when or if it's noticeable to the bare eye in this van's existing state of assembly or completion.

I'm in the auto/truck glass replacement business so have more experience with trying to find and cure auto body/glass leaks. The photos aren't helpful at all since they're too much "out of context" or zoomed too much.

It would probably be easier for you and I to speak on the phone sometime when I can ask questions in real time. Please don't post more photos just yet though.

PM me your phone info and best time to try making contact. In EST and prefer telephone conversations before Noon.

Hope this helps!

Thanks JWA, I'll send you my number soon.

[VanMiller]

Thanks for posting about your leaking high tops. I kew the pop tops leaked, despite what SMB says, but I didn’t think the high tops leaked as well.

Because of your posts, and the lack of response from Fiberline, I will keep my van as is. I guess all them years of rough roads just doesn’t sit well with aftermarket tops.

[N147JK]

Originally Posted by VanMiller

I guess all them years of rough roads just doesn’t sit well with aftermarket tops.

It depends on how the top was made and installed. My 2001 van with 130,000 miles has a high top and it's still solid as a rock. It's completely leak-free, keeps things warm, quiet, and dry. Wouldn't want anything different.

[VanMiller]

Originally Posted by N147JK

It depends on how the top was made and installed. My 2001 van with 130,000 miles has a high top and it's still solid as a rock. It's completely leak-free, keeps things warm, quiet, and dry. Wouldn't want anything different.

Well that’s good to know. Who installed your top?

[N147JK]

Originally Posted by VanMiller

Well that’s good to know. Who installed your top?

I don't have a Sportsmoble.. my van was built by Knighthill in Delta, BC. I'm afraid they got out of the camper van business decades ago. But Tuffport is up there now and they may also do good work - no personal experience with them.