Club 80-90 Forums

I am not sure where to post this as have posted a few times over the last 15 or so months! Everytime I try something or think have solved it It comes back, Don't dare say how much spent so far as my partner reads this! But my van still leaks! I have a 1981 T25 High top, Think its been slowly leaking for years as i have now lost the whole interior and been waiting to re build but till its water tight no luck, If anyone can shed anymore light or plugs to this or lives local to the stoke-on trent area or know's of anyone in my are who could HELP me i would be more than gratefull because sadly if not this could be the end of my beloved van......

Where does it leak i hear you ask.... where doesn't it..... but the worst place the annoying place and one we can't seem to stop is somewhere where there used to be a shelf above the sliding door/window/bed it leaks onto the bed there is some metal that stick out near the interior light used to be... first of all i renued my high top windows and then then rubbers,,,, then the rubbers where re sealed again,,,,, then i had the roof sikaflexed as advised ( the roof wouldn't come of as too stuck down so got told to seal it even more! THEN had it expended foam sealed on the inside where there was gap between the van and the roof.... and guess what... my bed is still wet! its dripping down , after covering the van in talc tho, the windows are def water tight... the rest i am confuesed..... prob as you are reading this!

I also have a confusing leak on the tailgate after renuing the rubber still leaks however been told mine isn't as thick as the orignal so company i brought it from are C**P! But looking at it when its shut it looks like its bent but people have given me much advice all i have tried but either can't do as a useless women! or its not worked!

The front leak i am not worried about YET! But this is a desprete plea going out to anyone who KNOWS what they are doing, or KNOWS someone who KNOWS this has gone on too long and due to current circumstances if the leak don't get fixed.......dare i say it the van will have to.......

So please help me.......

Mr Vdubstar,,,,,my advice to you is unless all of the interior coverings are removed from you vehicle then you are simply wasting your time searching for any sort of leak, this a must when you have reached the end of your tether with such problems....

Remember water will travel and settle at its lowest point so it is wise to trace the supply how ever small back to its point of entry (and this is why the interior is best fully removed to be able to do this bit).

Next find something portable and sturdy (and tall enough ) to fix your hose with spray attachment/nozzle to so that you can simulate a fine rain shower which will be pointing and spraying your van , while you are inside checking for leaks.(Typically pointing at a corner or side to be checked) Don't try to do the whole van at any one time..

Don't expect things to happen straight away because sometimes it can take time for water to show its self,,,,,,the trick after that is finding the entry point.....

It is possible you have covered the offending holes at least once BUT in most cases unless the area to be sealed is bone dry the sealer simply won't stick and will let the next lot of rain back in..

Another way to find a water ingress is by using an air line (blowing from the inside out at suspected area) and a good mate to help you or even using a sonic sniffer.

I have used all these methods mentioned and had success with them all........Be patient you will find the ingress point.....

Regards


Fritz,,,,,,,,


PS, Remember if the water is clean it is entering the vehicle when it is parked up , if the water is mucky it is entering the vehicle when it is on the move..

Good Luck......

hi , silly question, how do you know it is 'still leaking ' as apposed to 'already wet'?
like also said remove any sof furinshings /trim around suspected areas

also , a bit extreme , but try covering certain 'hot spots ' ie duck tape the sky light / high top windows / windsgreen'

a bit excess , but hopefully will help pin point.

are you driving regulay or is it parked up this time of year?

Hi its MISS vdubstar here! the thing is i did remove all coverings the van was compelte bare metal trust me, thats when it was check, since then i have paid for not cheap stuff! to be stuff firmly to the van everywhere! and new panels put on, and instulation, ok that has started having to come out and some panels but seroius if it means ripping all the roof carpet and everything then i am at such a loss its not worth looking for the leak! Just write it off now! I was told and did check that it was water tight before continuing with completion however 2 months into winter the leak returned!

I've tired the hose point but no luck that i could see, its like i can't explain write behind the metal where the roof has been put on or even thru the metal screws? I don't no wha ti am tlaking about as you can tell but i am grateful for your advice and maybe the airgun may help i will ask around, there is just so much sikaflex and foam its hard too see but maybe with the amount of talc i pored in it will help!

Like i said it did stop leaking n dry out (mainly over summer!) but when you look in the van although i am rubbish at explaing it on here you can see very clearly where its driping from onto the cusion of my bed area its just where from! As for duck tape most of last year my roof permintly had duck tape round hence its name ducky! The sky light has been profesional sealed not long ago after being fitted and resealed twice! it had been done properly now i so i no its deff not that area completly dry. It leaks when were parked up camping, in my driveway at asda! so with the weather at moment anytime! Its not being used as much due to errors!

hi , another stupid question, but could it be condesation?

i think the front leak could possibley be condensation caused by the amount of water in the back! but trust me i'd love it to be condensation! it is DEF! a LEAK! lol

I think you may like this one but first you need to get hold of the following:
1/ A powerfull vacuum cleaner which can be switched to blow or a portable blower such as found in aftermarket bubble bath outfits. I used the top off an aquavac.
2/ A roll of Gafa tape
3/ some plastacine
4/A plug type safety cut out or residual current device to make sure you don't get electicuted.
5/ an assistant.
Process:
Rig up the blower so that it mildly pressurises the interior of the van. Then seal off as many of the ovious leaksas posible. Things like the heater. Gas droppout and fridge vents vents. This is where the gafa tape and plastacine comes in. It doesnt have to be done up like a pressure cabin on an aircraft but just enoght to ensure a slight pressure differential.
Then give the exteria of the vehicle a good soaking with very soapy water particularly round the gutter area, switch on and watch for bubbles. You can spray extra water on but ty not to dilute the soap too much. I did it on a Ford Escort and found the leak behind the battery box under the bonnet. It should be easier on a hightop though.
Good luck
Wolfie

If your tailgate is leaking at the top corneres (mine was) where the rubbers get squashed/bent? i fitted a strip of rubber door insulation - abot £5 from b&q - round tailgate that means i have a rubber to rubber seal rather than rubber to metal...leaks all gone as it bridges the slight gap in the corner