Fridge Vents

Post by **sussex_yellow** » 10 Jul 2008, 18:36

....you know the white (or ivory) coloured vents on the side of the van that is essentially at the back of the Fridge, well, one of mine has broken. Ive now replaced it thanks to JustKampers but ..............I see there is a putty like substance in a groove around the inside of the vent plate. What is it ? Where can I get some more to put in the new vent ?

Ta

Post by **Stefvan** » 10 Jul 2008, 20:27

You want some non-drying sealant or Sikaflex. Im sure others will have recommendations but try your local caravan shop for something like Carafax Caraseal IDL 99 or Seamseal CV you can get it in different colours careful it is messy stuff get it off your paintwork with white spirit. Theres also Sikaflex 512 which is adhesive and sealant it holds a lot of motorhomes and caravans together ! Expensive but not as expensive as rotten sills !

Stefvan

Post by **sussex_yellow** » 10 Jul 2008, 20:32

Cheers. Thanks I'll have a look tomorrow

Post by **maxstu** » 10 Jul 2008, 22:24

I just bought four new plastic vents from my local plumbers' shop.

£1.98 each and exactly the same make as the originals. Just used bathroom silicone around edges and screwed to bodywork. Then wiped excess with clean rag.

What a stroke of luck

Post by **Mr Bean** » 10 Jul 2008, 22:31

maxstu wrote:I just bought four new plastic vents from my local plumbers' shop.

£1.98 each and exactly the same make as the originals. Just used bathroom silicone around edges and screwed to bodywork. Then wiped excess with clean rag.

What a stroke of luck

Well you may have improved matters. My JK job seemed to let in rain water so I had to superglue a strip of plastic along the bottom on the inside so it got directed out. Plus if you use masking tape to deliniate the joint you can simply smoot your mastic dowwn and pull off the masking to pruduce a nice straight line.

Post by **maxstu** » 10 Jul 2008, 22:39

I don't mean to be cheeky. And from reading your previous posts, you seem to have a grip on this maddening world...... BUT
You have'nt mounted your vents upside down by any chance

Post by **Nicola&Tony** » 11 Jul 2008, 05:44

maxstu wrote: Just used bathroom silicone around edges and screwed to bodywork.

Thought I'd read somewhere on here not to use silicone sealant against the bodywork cos it makes it go rusty . . . I could be wrong though? Tigerseal or Sikaflex seem to be the preferred options.

Tony

Post by **Mr Bean** » 11 Jul 2008, 06:39

[quote="maxstu"]I don't mean to be cheeky. And from reading your previous posts, you seem to have a grip on this maddening world...... BUT
You have'nt mounted your vents upside down by any chance

[/quote
Give me a break! Thats the sort of thing her indoors says sometimeswih justification. I will admit to doing some pretty stupid stuff in my time but no I do have a basic grasp of weather proofing technology. In my van the thing lays back at a slight angle and if you view a section you will see that there is capacity for collecting water to oveflow into the space behind the fridge. I do believe you can get a clip on cover for touring but bearing in mind my somewhat haphazard memory I would probably forget to remove it and melt my chock ices!
Cheers
Ken

Post by **maxstu** » 11 Jul 2008, 16:09

Hi Ken,

Yeah I know what you mean. I meant it as a lighthearted comment though

I've seen the type of vents you've got. Seen in section they are recessed to be nearly vertical against sloping body work. Seems a bit of a daft idea TBH. Perhaps that why so many T25's rust behind the fridge.
I thought four were overkill as most vans mount one or two. But then again I've good, clean panels behind my fridge.

The four I purchased are slightly flexible and mould to the contours of the panels. Also they have an internal screen or mesh to prevent water ingress. Bit like a mossie screen. No doubt they will need cleaning on a regular basis to minimalise clogging.
Perhaps you could try making something similar behind your's to reduce the flow of water?

Hi Nicola & Tony,

Yep, I believe you are correct with you assumption.

But I had bathroom silicone sitting in my garage and I really couldn't be bothered to pollute our nation more than necessary to buy some overpriced fancy named product from a caravan shop ten miles away.

Besides the silicone is against paintwork and not bare metal which should delay the the reaction by about, hhmm...... two decades I reckon.

I believe my T25 will probably go to camper heaven for many other illnesses before being struck down by Auto Reactive Silicone Erosion................or AR$E as its more commonly referred to