leaking Top hatch

[elpea]

Hi can anyone tell me, how to stop water leaking into the van via the top hatch, when the van is on the move? I take it there must be a rubber seal, that goes around the hatch. it is an older style hatch, just square with spring type hinges! Van is a Sandrover 1968.

Elpea!

[Franklin1]

Hi elpea, is it possible for you to post a photo of the hatch? It seems odd that a hatch design would allow water to get in between the overlap and into the hatch opening. When the hatch is closed, is it sitting snug on the roof all round? If you think there should be a rubber seal, does the hatch covering look like it has an aluminium moulding that a rubber seal would fit into?

Do you know for sure the water is getting through the hatch opening, or is it possible the water is leaking through some sort of crack somewhere around the inner boxed opening? Perhaps the ali cladding needs to be resealed around the hatch opening?? (...you have to put your hand over your heart and swear you won't use the old silicone sealant Otherwise, the next restorer of your van will come and stomp on your grave! )

It's all a bit perplexing, so some further info needed here...

cheers,
Al.

[elpea]

Hi AL photos as requested. The water damage seen in the photo on the inside, was from the hatch before I Sealed it, but still needs work to tidy up. the leak I'm getting now is when the van is on the move while it's raining. I was coming back from Swan Hill, when near home the heavens opened up. the next day when I checked the van there were water marks on the roof, and a couple of small puddles on the floor. when van is stationary No problem.

As to the Silicone I'm afraid I have to confess that I'm guilty . Before I found this forum the advice I received from a local caravan repairer was to use gutter silicone sealant, on aluminum edge going up the front over the top and down the back. never mind the next restorer, I'm already stomping on my own grave! I now want to paint the van and although I haven't gone crazy with the silicone, it still presents a big problem. I think I will have to remove the edging clean it up and I believe the Mastic tap is the way to go. is this correct? I have used caulking to seal the window frames to the van.

Elpea

[Deleted]

Hi Elpea..
Been meaning to ask you ... are you a "78" or a "33 1/3" ....either way you are here for an "Long Play" (LP).


Mate are you sure that the hatch is locking down thoroughly before you tow the van. If you dont have some means of fixing it shut tightly the hatch could be lifting up with the draft / wind as you are driving along.... sorta taking off like an areoplane.
I know this sounds stupid because you have knee joint hinges on the hatch and you would think that would be enough to prevent any "Lifting" while on the move..

Give all that silicone crap a good clean off . Fit some sort of lock down latch.. slide bolt.. cabin latch and see how ya go in the next big wet.
I am sure you have heard the old sea dog term.. "battern down the hatches" well ... that was done for a reason... to prevent the ingress of water....... same deal with your van

I suppose this leads me to the next question. Does it leak when left standing in the yard in heavy rain??
If it does i am thinking the problem is not in the hatch. it is where Franklin 1 has suggested .....letting water in where the roof sheet meets the vertical sides on the outside of the hatch frame.
Common on alloy vans.
Hope this helps in some way... just one drunks perspective,,
Reddo

[elpea]

HI reddo

Thanks for the tips. I get your message loud and clear and will Battern down the hatch next trip. by the way You forgot "45"rpm but these daze I feel like I'm running around "22 1/8" funny thing I started to get more grey hair, when I decided to repair the old family van.

Elpea!

[Deleted]

Hi Elpea.

JBJ put me on to a good idea for keeping "Knee joint " hinges on hatches shut tight while travelling.
Just cut a piece of convoluted hose of about 40mm diameter about 40mm long. Washing machine waste water hose comes close to the right size.
when the hatch is shut slide the hose over the "Knee " this will prevent it from "opening up" while travelling... otherwise just drill a hole and mount a barrel bolt / cabin latch to hold it shut.

I am not 100% convinced that the hatch is the culprit... normally if the wind gets under them when travelling they snap straight up to the fully open position .... but hey... give it a go with the lump of hose trick... oh yeah .. and wait till it rains.

Shame on you blaming your family van for your grey hair...

Reddo