Front AC leaking after rain

SMR

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Feb 25, 2010
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We had about 1.5" of rain yesterday and I found water coming in the front ac unit.
I checked the drain pan and it is draining correctly, looks like water is coming in at the front door side corner under the gasket. I'm letting everything dry out right now.
I want to check the bolts too make sure they are not loose, is there a torque spec for those?
There is sealant over the bolts, can they still work loose?
Also any other thoughts on what I should be looking for.
AC was not on during the rain.
Thanks
 
I don’t know what the torque spec is but it is in inch lbs. just go in and snug all four maybe 1 full turn
 
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I read the bolts that go into the unit from inside the campers is 40 to 50 inch pounds, would that be the same for these even though they screw down from the top of the unit?
 
Last edited:
Newer style gaskets have an indicator built-in to show when the gasket is compressed 50%. SMR is correct on lb/in.
Otherwise the old-old method was "finger-tight".
 
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Just talked with Dometic and they told me to use 40 to 50 inch pounds. I order an inch pound torque wrench, I can also use it on my bicycles.
 
Hope it's that simple (the gasket needs tightening), but remember that water penetrating anywhere on the roof will very likely show up at the a/c hole on the underside. It seeps along under the roof skin or even under the substrate until it reaches that gaping hole in the ceiling and dribbles out. Leaks along the front cap seam or nearby antennas or vents can show up at the front a/c opening.
 
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Tightened the bolts down and they were all loose on both units.
I set the torque wrench to 40 inch pounds and the gasket went back to 1/2". The bolts on the front where a little looser (?) than the rear bolts.
I tested the gaskets with a lot of water and no leaks. I attached a picture of the bolt going from the unit into the roof, the green stuff is pollen and its really bad right now.
I'll spend a few days after the pollen is gone cleaning everything ...my white truck has a green tint to it.
 

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