Media Gem Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 After taking our motorhome out from undercover for the first time this spring we have found the nearside upholstered panelling and cushions to be soaking wet after a few days of heavy rain. Also it is very wet in the cupboard underneath the sink - this problem is not condensation but running water. We are assuming that these leaks are coming from the windows. We bought our van from a dealer when it was 5 months old and noticed then that paneling on the drivers side was stained but dry, and have had no problem on that side since. We think that this is an old problem with Autosleeper vans and would like more info from other owners before going to AS at Willersey or back to the approved dealer. The van is a 2005 model and our pride and joy. It is so disheartening to have this kind of problem. Many thanks in advance for any hints or tips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GypsyTom Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 I'm curious as to parts of your question but rest assured, this site has some very technical people who I know will be able to help you. You say that it's been undercover. What exactly do you mean by 'undercover'? If it's been undercover I'm puzzled as to how rain could have entered. Secondly, have you had regular habitation checks? These test for dampness and can pre-empt this kind of problem. Good luck anyway and I hope that your problem is solved. It must be a depressing way to start the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Media Gem Posted March 25, 2010 Author Share Posted March 25, 2010 Sorry I wasn't very clear - the van was covered in a waterproof van cover for 3 months during the winter. It was exposed to the elements just before our first overnight trip away. Yes the van has had habitation checks and during the first one the dealer supposedly cleared the wetness from underneath. They said that water was thrown up from the front wheel. We now believe that the ingress is coming from the windows. These are clamped into the van not using mastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usinmyknaus Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 You are not alone. Our friends had the same year and model of van which they bought at 2 years old and in which we hoped they would join us for trips. They very quickly had various problems with leaks but especially from a side window and around a high-level fog light at the rear. It was returned to the dealer twice during the 6 month warranty and several times afterwards at our friends' expense. The problems kept recurring and the damage to the inside panels worsened while the bills mounted. Unsuccessful in selling the repaired van privately, they sold it back to the dealer, after just over a year's ownership at a loss of a little over £10,000, plus a substantial amount spent on repair and travel bills. I hope that someone on this forum will be able to recommend a specialist who can really fix the problem for you. If our friends had been properly served at the time of the first incident they would still be motorhoming. Good luck with fixing your van. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Decorator Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 Media G If the problem were mine I would apply sealing material around the window(s), both sides if possible, OK it might look a little unsightly from close up but there are coloured silicon sealing materials available from builders merchants, make sure you choose a high curing type, more sticky and more flexible. After applying sealer. Put first finger in mouth and wet. Run wet finger along material surface. This smooths over any irregularities and makes it look more professional, (dry fingers will stick!). What ever the appearance (within reason) it should save you cash. Doesn't sound great perhaps but it works wonders. Ps Both sides means inside and out. TD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David B Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 I have a 2005 Nuevo ES. We had a leak in the rear kitchen area when driving along in heavy rain. The AS Service Centre at Willersley looked at it and decided it was the rear window. They took out the window and resealed it under warranty. They later advised applying a neat fillet of silicone sealer along the top of the window. I have done all the windows. I believe there was a problem with the window sealing material used by AS around 2005. I later had a problem with the high-level brake light failing. When I removed it to replace it the hole through which the wires came out of the GRP panel was not sealed, and there was not complete sealing around the light. AS advise leaving a hole at the bottom to allow drainage. I ignored this advice (being a yachtsman used to keeping the sea out of my yacht) I took the approach of completely sealing in the new light and have had no problems since. I believe that my leak was due to the negative pressure on the rear panel while driving 'sucking' in water coming off the roof into the rear light assembly. This is not what you are reporting. Maybe I also had a leaking window! The AS Service Centre should be the 'experts' at dealing with known problems. I suggest contacting them for advice. Hope this helps a little. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graham Posted March 28, 2010 Share Posted March 28, 2010 We had a 04 Nuevo with water in the sink cupboard. Sitting in the van when it rained I could see it was leaking around the rear window. We booked it into the service centre where they did a good job of refitting it (not warranty so I paid) and we had no further problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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