sky light leaking

Post by **scouse** » 07 Oct 2006, 18:14

I have a Devon conversion on my 2l Aircooled, and the dam sky light is leaking. The roof is side lifting one, and the only place i can see where the water is coming from is a small crack in the rim where the screwa are positioned.

Having used sealant and tape and it still leaks, I have taken the decision to remove the skylight and either refurbish it or replace it with another one i have obtained.

Can anybody advise the best way to remove the self tapper screws which have seized, and just round off, and do you think this is my only option.

Also the replacement is smaller than the hole cut into the roof. Would this be a problem if it was properly secured.

Thanks

Scouse[/b]

Post by **HarryMann** » 07 Oct 2006, 18:30

Loads of tips on removing seized screws and bolts in the Wiki (Tips, tools and Techniques)

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Te ... Wiki first

If there's any slots left at all, put some mole grips on the screwdriver and whilst forcing it in and 'gently' unscrewing repeatedly tap the end of the screwdriver with a hammer, a la impact driver method, tap fast and lever as the hammer strikes home (screwdrivers vary, not just in size but quality and fit of the head, which can usually be 'felt' straight away, either it feels like it will or it feels liek it won't, in which case pickup another one of the right size and try that).

Sounds like you're past that stage so just drill the heads off, then when all is off an accessible, with a small sharp drill, drill the screw out of the hole.

The problem is often that the first thing to do is not to try to unscrew the screw. It is to get access to behind it, wire brush thread thoroughly and apply Plus-Gas or a 'good' pen. oil and leave for a while. Then, try to move the screw in either direction, try slightly tigtheing as well as slightly loosening, alternate then brush and pen. oil again when it first moves, p and unscrew in stages.

Its also sometimes possible to get a 'very good aulity' pair of moles or mini moles onto the self-tapper's head. Again, once it moves, alternate tighteninga nd loosening in stages.

Post by **OLD ONE** » 07 Oct 2006, 18:32

You should be able to drill the heads of the self tappers off. But be very careful . I normally use a drill larger than the screw and keep checking how far I have gone.
Regarding fitting a smaller into a larger hole, depends on how much overlap you have.

Post by **hakuna matata** » 07 Oct 2006, 19:45

hi there old one ive not long fitted a devon roof, had the same probs, just bin the old one . went to my local caravan centre got a new one ,had to make the hole a bit bigger no probs there, and now fitted good as new.if u need futher help please call me . neil .07973-151117 or 0116 2914078.

Post by **scouse** » 07 Oct 2006, 19:58

Thanks everybody. I think I will be taking Neils advice, and get a new one. Here goes, and wait for more requests for HELP!!

Scouse

Post by **DiscoDave** » 08 Oct 2006, 00:34

sod all that poncing about with drill and oil! bray the freller till it falls out! use as many power tools as you have available too!!

Post by **irishkeet** » 11 Oct 2006, 06:38

Hi
i replaced my westy skylight and got it from o'learys motor homes
http://www.olearymotorhomes.co.uk/

make sure you buy bedding mastic to fit, dont use normal mastic/silicone...over time it dries out and cracks and then you have a leak!

good luck
keet

Post by **Cruz** » 15 Oct 2006, 10:54

scouse wrote:I have a Devon conversion on my 2l Aircooled, and the dam sky light is leaking. The roof is side lifting one, and the only place i can see where the water is coming from is a small crack in the rim where the screwa are positioned.

Having used sealant and tape and it still leaks, I have taken the decision to remove the skylight and either refurbish it or replace it with another one i have obtained.

Can anybody advise the best way to remove the self tapper screws which have seized, and just round off, and do you think this is my only option.

Also the replacement is smaller than the hole cut into the roof. Would this be a problem if it was properly secured.

Thanks

Scouse[/b]

I removed mine this spring and re-sealed it. Used mole grips on the rusty screws. hard work but got there in the end

Club 80-90 Forums