Air conditioner hold down bolts

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Broke Boater

Broke Boater

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 16, 2017
Posts
286
Location
Brentwood, Northern Kookafonia
My old camper did not have a roof mounted AC, so this was new to me. Last month I noticed some small drops of water on the floor of the camper, its been sitting for awhile. Found that the water had came the AC. We had a dry dry Feb so lucky I caught it after the small rain that we did get. Reading the owners manual and youtube, I decided it was the ac gasket and changed it out. March was wet and no more drops, so it looks like I was right. Those hold down bolts don't have any type fastener to capture the bolt and prevent it from backing off. With all the shaking and movement of a rv rolling down crappy kookafornia roads, these will loosen at some point. What's the PM on this AC so I don't have future leaks,,,gregg
 
Chances are the bolts will not back out. What does happen is that after 3 or 4 years, the foam gasket will relax a little and then the bolts will need to be retighten. I just had to do mine 2 days ago. I was able to tighten all 4 bolts about 2 full turns. Do not over tighten the bolts. I didn't use a torque wrench but I would say I used 3 or 4 lbs of torque. 
 
Rene is right, the gasket compresses. Tightening the bolts is supposed to be done annually.
 
In the five years I owned my TT, I never had to tighten the bolts on the AC.  In the first three years I owned my 5th wheel I never had to either.  But after I got my roof replaced (a branch went through it during a storm), within a year it was leaking through the AC.  The bolts were seriously loose.  I don't think they tightened them much when they put the new roof on.  The bolts were all loose on my vent covers also.  I still need to get one of them.  Anyway, glad to see this is not so uncommon.  I will check more often now.
 
I just check the installation manual for the AC I installed up front and it said do not over torque the bolts. Torque them to 40 to 50 inch lbs. That's 3 to 4 foot lbs.
 
We just had a pretty strong storm come through Lakeland FL.  It poured for over an hour and I mean poured. Lots of thunder and lightening. Knock on wood, no leaks. We did keep a large pan on the bed just in case. We may do it for a few more storms.  I think I may make these bolts one of my annual inspection points. It only took me 15 minutes.
 
Rene T said:
We just had a pretty strong storm come through Lakeland FL.  It poured for over an hour and I mean poured. Lots of thunder and lightening. Knock on wood, no leaks. We did keep a large pan on the bed just in case. We may do it for a few more storms.  I think I may make these bolts one of my annual inspection points. It only took me 15 minutes.
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I did the same thing.  I have removed my bucket finally.  I trust my job.  I just hope I didn't over-tighten them.
 
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