Cracks on top of roof at front corner / gutter

[aVanDidIt]

Anyone have experience with cracks like this on their SMB with the SMB pop top? How concerning would you consider it and how easy to fix? On a van I'm looking at, believe it's similar on the passenger side but don't have a photo of that at the moment. Rest of rooftop including around where the pop top rests and attaches looks free if any cracks, rust, etc.

 

[larrie]

Is the crack in the metal or the seam sealer? Seam sealer replacement is much easier to deal with.

 

[1der]

Wow! Took a minute to get the picture orientation sorted out in my mind that this looking down towards the hood! LOL!

That is a crack in the putty filling the gutter. It can be dug out and refilled. The concern is water reached down under the putty or possible down into the windshield channel and is creating a rust situation away from view.

If this a newer van, paint all looks good, no rust elsewhere, van meets 90% of my needs, this would not be a deal breaker/concern for me. If the seller is willing to have tis addressed prior to sale then there are no surprises. If seller is not up for dealing with this, I would carefully inspect around the crack in the putty for any signs of rust, make an allowance for a few hundred dollars to get it addressed either by myself or a very reputable body shop.

 

[aVanDidIt]

Thanks guys. I was able to talk to a body shop about it before buying and they had the same conclusion as you 1der, that it should be cleaned up and sealed but wouldn't be hard or expensive to do. No signs of rust around the area currently. So I bought the van!

Picture tax: