Penthouse roof leaking. - Page 2

Walker · 01-10-2012, 09:12 AM

The water does pool in the canvas. I do not know how to upload the pictures.

Walker · 01-10-2012, 04:09 PM

Added some pictures in my gallery, hope this will help identify the problem.

Ford_6L_E350 · 01-10-2012, 05:31 PM

Does the last picture show water coming into the interior as the top is going up?

The pictures of the top with water pooled in the middle doesn't indicate a problem. But, it may indicate the top is bowed (not much you can do about that) or that the hold down clamps are too tight. Does the water pool if the top is not latched?

Mike

**WVvan** · 01-10-2012, 05:42 PM

Yikes!

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Walker · 01-10-2012, 05:43 PM

The water flowing in was when I was raising the top. Do you feel that I need to loosen the top holddowns?

Ford_6L_E350 · 01-10-2012, 06:19 PM

I don't know. I don't know how tight they are. They do need to be fairly tight to keep the wind from lifting the top when driving.

Does the bow in the top improve when you unlatch the top? If it does, then the latches may be too tight.

Does the water collect when the van is sitting? Or only when you are driving?

I hope you understand it is very difficult to troubleshoot a problem without any hands on experience with the problem.

Have you talked to SMB? It seems like the top is guaranteed not to leak.

Mike

Walker · 01-10-2012, 06:41 PM

The water collects when the van sits. Haven't noticed any leaks when driving. Not sure about the bow in the roof, will have to see about possibly loosening it a little. Haven't talked with Sportsmobile, I am in North Carolina so I couldn't bring it in.

**WVvan** · 01-11-2012, 11:28 AM

Just a guess but it looks to me that unless there is a hole or crack on the penthouse top, that you surely would have spotted by now, the water must be leaking in from around the roof hardware for the latches. These would need resealing.

Jage is the expert. Here is his definitive posting on the subject.
Roof Leak Repairs Round II - The Front Section

You can either repair them all or try to first find where the leak is. Someone mentioned before (can't find the thread) about using a PVC pipe standing on end large enough to fit around the outside of the hardware on the roof. Seal the bottom edge of the pipe with butyl then filling it with water. If the water goes down you know you've found one that leaks.

Walker · 01-11-2012, 11:39 AM

Thank you all for your help, the water seems to come in around the sides and not through the top but I am not sure.

**BroncoHauler** · 01-11-2012, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walker

Thank you all for your help, the water seems to come in around the sides and not through the top but I am not sure.

Is the gasket that goes around the exterior rim of the PH top in good condition?

Maybe take some pics with the top raised at least a few inches so we can see under the top a bit.

Herb