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Window Leaking !!!
Very bad storms here last night and we have a window leak right behind the passengers seat in front of the couch. There is a post (pillar) and the water is running down both sides from the top of the window. I had the glass company check it and he says the window needs to be removed and a new gasket put in… also said he couldn’t do it because the interior wall needs to be removed in the process? Does anyone know if this is correct… I know the windows are different in the H3-45 than the XL? He said we would have to take it to Prevost.
I read in some blogs that there are some weep holes that get stopped up around the XL windows and wondered if the H has weep holes also? I couldn’t see any from the ground looking up but there is a half inch wide removable strip on the left side of the window but not too sure about removing it …also the leak is on the right side of the window.
Any ideas would be appreciated… even a quick fix plan ’til we can do it right.
Thanks.
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19 Replies
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Prevost………any advice for Larry and Diane?
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Jon… will you please buy an H3-45 next so I can pick your brain?
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Diane/Larry,
When I read the post I was starting to pull up the maintenance manual information for your windows but cuoldn’t find it then got waylaid. When Jim or Chris answered your question I thought they nailed it.
I’m curious so I will play with either your maintenance manual or parts drawings to see what I can learn. No promises. If I don’t get it done we can play in Orange Beach.
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I found this in an H3 maintenance manual.
http://prevostparts.volvo.com/technicalpublications/pdf/pa1142_2000-2001-18.pdf
Based on that I suspect the window needs to be at least opened, and maybe removed to check the seal. The fixed windows are permanently installed and sealed with Sikaflex, but the larger windows look like following the procedure listed in the PDF above will allow it to be opened or removed so the seal can be checked.
The key is finding out how Vantare put the interior in place so you can access the screws which retain the window. Any H3 Vantare owners here have any advice? My guess is once you can access the bottom fasteners it is going to take two people on ladders to get the window open or out sufficiently to verify the seal is OK or needs adjustment or replacing. Can Ron Walker jump in here and maybe give some hints?
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Thanks so much Jon ! I will check it out. It is still pouring here, ugh… I think we All need to just relax in Alabama… can’t wait to get there.
I have a guy going to check out some stuff tomorrow, maybe he will have some ideas..will let you know how we come out, hopefully the rain will stop!
See you next week..Hi to Di !
Diane -
I would suggest first looking at the roof cap above the window where the leak is. Confirm that there is not a crack in the fiberglass cap allowing entry for the water. Verify that all items mounted on the roof are sealed well and have no openings around them.
From the inside look to see if there are any panels that can be removed in the ceiling on that side or next to the window. That way you could posibly see the water as it is gaining access.
Find a way to tape off the top of the window assembly and see if you can stop the water from coming in. Try different areas until you are able to stop the water.
If this is by the large trapezoid side window, they can be removed. If the vehicle is a mid to late 2000s shell this window is bolted in and the converter has built covers for around the edge of the window. So your converter could be of assistance if they can gain you access to the windwo by removing or telling you how to remove the window trim.
Let me know what your Prevost VIN is and I will find you a diagram of the windwo installation. -
Thanks so much for your reply.. Our Prevost is a Vantare conversion and the vin # is: 2PCV33494V1011750 .
Again thank you so much. I have scouted out several leaks around the marker lights in the front, but will recheck all that you have suggested.
Diane
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Diane & Larry,
I had a gap appear along one of the posts when a window
shifted through normal vibration. Since mine was a seated coach, every other
window is an emergency escape hatch that swings open at the bottom. The alternate
windows are bolted closed at the bottom, but are hinged at the top like the
others and will swing open if the bolts are removed. If you have windows like
mine, check the gaps between each of the windows from outside the coach. If you
find two that are touching each other and others with larger spaces, the seals
between the window and the post may become offset enough for them to miss the
post, cause a gap to appear and cause a leak. Such a gap is easy to eliminate
by simply holding pressure in a fore/aft direction while swinging the window
open and closed. It will move back toward its correct position a little with
each swing. Just keep swinging and pushing until the windows are centered
again. The rub marks on the posts that become visible when the windows are
swung open are a dead giveaway as to which seals are in the proper place and
which are not. I hope my description makes sense and this information turns out
to be of some use to you. I repaired a pesky leak along the edge of the first large window aft of the trapezoid using this method. I have found no weep holes in the H3 window posts. -
Ron… Thanks for your reply… our coach is also a ’98 model conversion… 1997 body I believe… our leak is the window directly behind the passenger seat and it’s one big solid window with no emergency escape. I wonder if the configuration might be the same, we are re-checking some close to the leak areas first such as the seam across the front cap etc before we get into tearing up the inside to access the screws for the windows, and as Prevost suggested I will tape off the window to make sure that is the problem.
Thanks so much for your reply… I will post the solution when I have it, in hopes to help someone else.
Diane -
Diane,
Leaks at the front cap joint have resulted in water on the
floor a few inches behind the door on my coach. A tube of Dicor self-leveling
sealant spread liberally across the seam on the roof solved that problem.My wife complained of a high-pitched whistle in the area
between the trapezoid window and the first large window on the curb side. Since
old pilots can’t hear much, I had to have her drive while I put my ear close to
the spot and discovered the glue at the rear edge of the trapezoid had come
loose and was allowing air to escape. I didn’t have a water leak there because
I installed extra rain gutters behind my awnings on the roof, forcing the rain
to drain off at the ends. If your roof drains down the side of your coach in
this area, it’s possible that could be the source of your leak. Re-sealing the
window would be an easy fix. You’ve probably already considered this, but I
thought I’d point it out just in case. -
Thanks Ron…
I have had a another guy (expert) checking out the roof again … claims there are a few questionable areas… we had to leave and go to the Heritage Rally, so he’s going to check it out as soon as we return. Praying for no rain… LOL
Diane
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Diane,
The master is their with you, so get a ladder for him, he loves heights. Oh, forgot, no ladders, Jon is on SS….
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TRUK…
Yes he is here… we all had a nice evening in the Heritage Clubhouse… it’s a beautiful facility here and the weather is perfect… You should be here with us !!
I haven’t picked Jon’s brain about anything yet!?? Thought I’d give him a day of rest ! Tomorrow is another day… actually I am only going to annoy him about the braking system he uses for his toads… in return for a computer skills lesson… ha ha… I know I’ll be the one to come out ahead here !!
Wish you were both here with us.
Cheers…
Diane
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Diane,
Don’t let Tom influence you about my amazing ability to get up on ladders. In fact if you want I can open up my folding ladder and look at your roof to see if I can see anything. The is a Camping World nearby and they have an excellent roof sealer I use on the seams of my roof.
C’mon over, we’ll supply the coffee and you can see how I have the brakes on the Hummer set up. Simple, easy to use and uses the coach air system.
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Jon…
Don’t you know that Truk is eating his heart out not being here !!
A bunch of us are meeting at the clubhouse at 9 and heading somewhere for breakfast… you and Di come with us too… was a spur of the moment plan last night.
Diane
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