Leaking roof light rapido 9048df

[Roger J Holman]

Well, I'm sorry that some dismiss the use of Silicon. I gave advice based on 30 years of sealing and re-sealing windows and port light on yachts and boats costing a great deal more than your average motorhome. The system WORKS. Sealant on a roll does not work, that is why everyone has problrms with leaking roof hatches and suchlike. My principle has always been to do a job once, and do it properly.

I will take no further part in this discussion.

 

[Lenny HB]

Why do manufacturers not use non setting mastic

To allow for expansion & contraction just in UK temperatures a Motorhome can expand & shrink a quite a few millimetres.

 

[bnb080]

Hi, on ours (2008) the aerial is above the cab in the centre and is simply for the radio as far as I know. It's a bog standard antena type that I was told is the actual one that came with the original Ducato cab.
I think a hose test would be a good idea for you to try here, bombard every potential leak point.

Another leak problem we had was from the actual acrylic windows. In extreme rain and wind we would get a dribble of water coming into the van. Eventually sussed it was being blown up and under the window seals on the wind side. I treated all the window rubbers with this stuff ...
'Liquid moly 1538 rubber treatment' and had no trouble since, and I did stress test them all afterwards with a hose.

​

Hi Steve I don't have a radio aerial on the roof but I do have a bolt going through to the strap that holds up the bed however no signs of water from there. I've had 4 days of heavy rain and it's bone dry so just can't get my head round where all the water came from. Ps excuse the colour of the roof.

 

[steve 6644]

Based on that first pic I would want that joint between the cab and the body raked out and resealed and those screws are a potential leak as well. I would also definately loosen and reseal that bolt. The trouble with these types of leaks is that you get paranoid in the end, I know I am now.

 

[bnb080]

Based on that first pic I would want that joint between the cab and the body raked out and resealed and those screws are a potential leak as well. I would also definately loosen and reseal that bolt. The trouble with these types of leaks is that you get paranoid in the end, I know I am now.

That was allegedly done by the dealer when I pointed out the leak in March and until this week I haven't had any issues I just can't get my head round the fact it was so wet after a really sunny weekend yet its been four days of solid rain and not a drip anywhere

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[iandsm]

The bolt which you say holds the bed strap is not a standard fixture of the 9048 and it doubt it holds the bed strap. On the inside there should be a seat belt type strap which is fixed under the trim into the main metal crossbeam which you will see if you remove the trim after taking the curtain rail off. The trim is in two pieces with a join in the centre and when removed you will see the bolt which has replaced the aerial (which is where mine leaked from) The bolt you mention and which is in the picture is where the aerial should be, so someone has removed the aerial and replaced it with a bolt, probably because to leaked and ours did. That is potentially s source of your leak and depending on the angle you have parked at the water will run forward in which case you bedding/matress will be wet as there water will escape via the front roof light or backwards in which case it will run out through the larger main roof light which is where you say it has dripped from, although because of the shape of the main metal beam that is not so likely. Once you have the trim off you will be able to see the seam where the front cab section meets the body and the bolt in question so be able to determine the source of the leak. If that as well as the small over bed roof light is all dry after a hosepipe test you leak is from the larger rooflight which needs removal snd reseal.

 

[tonyidle]

Well, I'm sorry that some dismiss the use of Silicon. I gave advice based on 30 years of sealing and re-sealing windows and port light on yachts and boats costing a great deal more than your average motorhome. The system WORKS. Sealant on a roll does not work, that is why everyone has problrms with leaking roof hatches and suchlike. My principle has always been to do a job once, and do it properly.

I will take no further part in this discussion.

If you are using a silicon-based sealant designed for the jobs you mentioned then I have no experience of it. When I, and probably others on this forum, see a mention of silicon sealant we immediately assume the general purpose domestic / building stuff. That certainly doesn't work. As far as experience is concerned I have over 50 years experience of leisure vehicles (caravans and motorhomes) and have up to now done any necessary repairs myself. I have never had a re-sealed rooflight or window fail and all have been sealed using strip butyl mastic. I much prefer using fittings that are attached by clamping the roof/wall between inner and outer frames. I dislike intensely any use of screws into the roof.

 

[bnb080]

The bolt which you say holds the bed strap is not a standard fixture of the 9048 and it doubt it holds the bed strap. On the inside there should be a seat belt type strap which is fixed under the trim into the main metal crossbeam which you will see if you remove the trim after taking the curtain rail off. The trim is in two pieces with a join in the centre and when removed you will see the bolt which has replaced the aerial (which is where mine leaked from) The bolt you mention and which is in the picture is where the aerial should be, so someone has removed the aerial and replaced it with a bolt, probably because to leaked and ours did. That is potentially s source of your leak and depending on the angle you have parked at the water will run forward in which case you bedding/matress will be wet as there water will escape via the front roof light or backwards in which case it will run out through the larger main roof light which is where you say it has dripped from, although because of the shape of the main metal beam that is not so likely. Once you have the trim off you will be able to see the seam where the front cab section meets the body and the bolt in question so be able to determine the source of the leak. If that as well as the small over bed roof light is all dry after a hosepipe test you leak is from the larger rooflight which needs removal snd reseal.

Thanks for your reply, I will take the trim off tomorrow and see if its dry under there.

 

[bnb080]

Update took motorhome to repair centre says it might be a damaged heki due to being taken out and resealed still waiting on a price 2 weeks later. My question is could all this water be from condensation the reason I ask is both occasions when it's leaked it is when it is sunny and cold. During prolonged periods of rain there is never a drop.

 

[iandsm]

Update took motorhome to repair centre says it might be a damaged heki due to being taken out and resealed still waiting on a price 2 weeks later. My question is could all this water be from condensation the reason I ask is both occasions when it's leaked it is when it is sunny and cold. During prolonged periods of rain there is never a drop.

I doubt its condensation, I had the same model with the same roof light and even in the depths of winter didn't suffer condensation and those are fairly large drips in your picture.

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[bnb080]

Yesterday the rooflight was covered in condensation I put the dehumidifier on and it dried up and I also opened the rooflight slightly for ventilation. This morning the rooflight was bone dry it wasn't until I opened the flyscreen that all the drips appeared. I'm just confused because recently we had a week of constant rain and not a drop.

 

[Adam b]

Yesterday the rooflight was covered in condensation I put the dehumidifier on and it dried up and I also opened the rooflight slightly for ventilation. This morning the rooflight was bone dry it wasn't until I opened the flyscreen that all the drips appeared. I'm just confused because recently we had a week of constant rain and not a drop.

We had the same problem on our 9048 , turned out the sealant had perished round at the rooflight, like yours it didn’t leak all the time. We found the water was collecting in the frame of the rooflight, I stripped the rooflight out & resealed, if the frame was cracked you would see it.

 

[bnb080]

Thanks for your reply I've found someone who will do it next week so hopefully resealing will cure it .

 

[steve 6644]

Good luck with it mate, lets hope this gets it sorted. We started to hate ours but love it to bits now we have the mysteries solved.

 

[zac]

Strangely enough mine has literally just done the same thing, i have the same rooflight on my Rapido A class and at the left side corner towards the back is where the sealant had perished. I didnt do the job myself as i was getting another job sorted (not related) so asked if they could take a look. They did but unfortunately they didnt use butyl tape only Silicone sealant so i think i will have to redo this next year but at least it will be ok for our trip next week.

I am pretty sure i could of resealed it myself given how they are put in but as with everything time is never on my side and i dont have any butyl tape either so would need to order this as that seems to be what you should use (i am no expert though so i am sure someone will correct me).

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[bnb080]

Thanks for your reply I have booked it in to be done as I'm not great at DIY so hopefully it will cure the problem.

 

[bnb080]

Good luck with it mate, lets hope this gets it sorted. We started to hate ours but love it to bits now we have the mysteries solved.

Cheers Steve we love the van so hopefully it will get sorted on Monday.