Zig
Indiana
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Joined: 09/15/2002
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Seems that a while back somebody here did a "Do it yourself" pressure test to test for warer leaks. I searched and can not find it.
I would like to try to do something like Sealtech does. I have a couple of small blower fans and am thinking that I could just use plywood to cover the door. Make my own bubble solution and wala,... find the elusive water leak that has been troubling me.
* This post was
edited 08/16/08 02:38pm by Zig *
Better to Zig then Zag!
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wtravlr1
Palm Harbor, Flordia, and Geneva-on-the-lake, Ohio
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Joined: 01/28/2005
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You can seal the opening with plastic and tape. Watch you dont over pressurize. Start slow or leave some room between the fan and opening. Leave a window a very little cracked for a test and see how much it take to make the bubbles. If you need to move the fan closer to the opening until you close if up if needed. There is a formula they use but dont know what it might be. A large window fan that has speeds might be enough. Need just pressure to do the job, overpressure can cause other problems.
2007 Forest River Sierra 31fkd (37') dual slides
chevy suburban 2003 2500-8.1 L.4.10's
prodogy/reese dual cam
rollgard springs
Fulltiming it since 2004.
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Stim
NE Florida
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A friend bought a new van about 25 years ago. it had a water leak in the left rear. he took it to the dealer and they turned on the dash air on high and checked it with a water hose and found a pin hole in the roof seam caulking.
It dosen't take much pressure to find a leak. Just use a squirt bottle with dish soap mix.
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Zig
Indiana
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How to make bubble solution link: Bubbles
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CloudDriver
New Jersey Shore
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Here's the post about the method I used to do a self test.
2003 Winnebago Minnie 24F - Ford E-450
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silversand
Montreal
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Joined: 09/12/2004
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...I believe it was Spott who did the ultimate pressure test on his Northern-Lite (reputed to be one of the top truck campers made). The outcome was a wash (no pun intended); there were so many portals, doors and vents in the unit, he couldn't build much if any positive inside...if I remember!!
Good luck to you,
Silver-
Silver
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4 6.0L Ext/LB Tow Package 4L80E Michelin AT2s| Outfitter Caribou
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MTBob
Montana
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I'm shopping for a gently used TC and each one I look at, I wonder about leaks (after reading a number of horror stories on this forum). The leaf blower / shop vac method (see other post references & pics) looks like a good approach.
The other day I called a local RV dealer and asked about Sealtec leak testing - they are a Big Foot dealer. He said that they wouldn't do a Sealtec leak test because Big Foot claims it over pressurizes the TC and would wreck window seals.
I haven't seen this issue raised on this forum. Is the over pressurization a real issue - or simply a manufacturer's way of keeping people from detecting the leaks?
Also - should the holding tanks be pressure tested for leaks? If so, how do you do that and see if there are any leaks? So far the TC's I've looked at have holding tanks that seem to be mostly hidden. OR, do you simply fill up the tanks and see if there is fluid leaking out?
MTBob
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Zig
Indiana
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Bubble Pressure Test complete. Pictures of our Bubble Pressure Test can be found here.
The blower Fan was set on its lowest setting and it blew bubbles just fine. I did get bubbles along the aluminum seams and don't know if I should try and seal the seam or let it breath. We found and marked 22 air bubble leaks, nothing major though. Around the roof was all good. When I taped up the windows I left the weep hole at the bottom open and could actually feel the air coming out.
I am glad we did this easy project and will probably repeat it in a year or two.
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rjsurfer
North Carolina
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Joined: 10/19/2007
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Don't worry about the leaks from under the siding, siding is designed to move and breath a bit. Same as a house..
That one leak just under the cabover might be an issue, it's hard to tell from the picture.
Ron W.
03 Dodge 2500 SRW,SB,EC
2008 Keystone Cougar 245RKS 5th Wheel
DRZ-400SM
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Zig
Indiana
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Today's project was to paint the wood bottom part of the camper with "Truck Bed Coating". I used Duplicolor Truck Bed Coating Kit . This stuff is not paint! Drys fast and with a hard plastic/rubber coating. It should help the Truck Camper last a long time.
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