A/C Bolts that are loose, many affected

[curver900]

great site.. I just checked my new to me 2011 and one bolt way out.. the other three needed a couple of turns... AND no leakage so whew...

[idkid]

Several years ago I installed AC on my truck camper. Followed the directions to the letter. Used the indicators to tighten the bolts. Next year my ac unit was loose. I used blue thread lock on the bolts. Never had an issue after that.

[ALJO]

But your seal will still will slowly compress with age and (eventually) will leak.
Smarter to use an extra nut, as lock-tite blue will leave a film on the existing nut and more difficult to remove.

[Zach]

My unit is an 06, have had water leaking on left rear corner and some in grating in the middle of unit. Took cover off last night and revealed this. Also found other 3 to be against tin frame but not snug. Snugged them all down and am hoping I got "torque" somewhat correct. Guess we will find out in upcoming rain events.

[Route 66 Traveler]

In each corner you should see a small tab on the bottom of the AC unit. The correct way to tighten the bolts is to tighten the bolts until the bottom of each tab touches the top of the roof. As the foam seal under the AC unit ages you will probably have to re-tighten the bolts. I have been checking mine once a year, and had to re-tighten only once in the last two years.

[Foxfire]

Thanks to this amazing forum, I checked the AC bolts and found one completely out of the nut. No leaks so I guess the seal was still doing its job. There should be a procedure in the Jayco manual about regularly checking those bolts. Mine is a 2015 unit that I just purchased recently but how am I supposed to know this if it’s not pointed out anywhere (except here on the forum)?

I wonder what else I’m missing. Better keep on reading this forum!

Peter

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Foxfire

Thanks to this amazing forum, I checked the AC bolts and found one completely out of the nut. No leaks so I guess the seal was still doing its job. There should be a procedure in the Jayco manual about regularly checking those bolts. Mine is a 2015 unit that I just purchased recently but how am I supposed to know this if it’s not pointed out anywhere (except here on the forum)?

I wonder what else I’m missing. Better keep on reading this forum!

Peter

Right from the owner's manual, page 9-2

A special foam gasket is placed between the roof material and the subframe of the
air conditioner to guard against water leakage. The air conditioner is subjected to
wind pressures along with motor vibration during normal operation.
Inspect the mounting bolts for tightness to ensure there is no leakage or looseness at least annually. Re-tighten bolts when they are loose.
DO NOT over tighten these bolts as it may damage this gasket.

[Foxfire]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Right from the owner's manual, page 9-2

Oh, wow! How I missed that in the manual, I have no idea. It’s clearly stated in there, so I stand corrected.

Off to read the manual properly this time.

Thanks, Grumpy!

[Robert Marcellaro]

What kind of damage can it cause to the roof.