A/C Bolts that are loose, many affected

lciancola · 05-13-2011, 01:20 PM

I was wondering if anyone has had any problems with water leakage coming in around the air conditioning unit in the center roof on the trailer. My husband was at an RV place the other day, not a Jayco dealer but he repairs all makes. Said he was getting a lot of the Jayco's coming in because of water damage around the ac. He stated manufacturer did not properly tighten the four bolts on the ac unit to the proper torque. When hubby checked ours they were not very tight, so far luckily no water leakage. Any way I need to know how tight the torque should be on these bolts. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

**Crabman** · 05-13-2011, 01:48 PM

There have been accounts of leaks due to the AC bolts being too loose, in some cases "finger loose". I even made it a point to check mine one day, and they were snug. Not sure about the proper torque, I did see it one day on RVnet, but over tightening can be bad too as it may over compress the gasket. I just went by feel.

Shin Pond Hunter · 05-13-2011, 02:40 PM

I too had finger loose bolts on both my AC units; like Crabman, I just snugged them myself "by feel".

29BHS ECO · 05-13-2011, 08:11 PM

I was told , by the dealer ,to check those bolts every year because they tend to loosen while traviling.

tbwill · 05-13-2011, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lciancola

I was wondering if anyone has had any problems with water leakage coming in around the air conditioning unit in the center roof on the trailer. My husband was at an RV place the other day, not a Jayco dealer but he repairs all makes. Said he was getting a lot of the Jayco's coming in because of water damage around the ac. He stated manufacturer did not properly tighten the four bolts on the ac unit to the proper torque. When hubby checked ours they were not very tight, so far luckily no water leakage. Any way I need to know how tight the torque should be on these bolts. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

The four bolts on our 2011 Starcraft 175RK were not even snugged up to the frame! I downloaded the installation instructions and the newer units have yellow plastic tabs on the upper AC bracket to help you adjust the tightness of the bolts. You simply tighten down the bolt until the tab touches the roof and that will put the correct amount of compression on the foam gasket.

jwb023 · 05-14-2011, 05:01 AM

u all are tightening these bolts ..on top of the camper....??...do u use anything under ur feet or knees to spread the weight?

29BHS ECO · 05-14-2011, 05:58 AM

I always use a 4 x4 pce of luan ( real thin plywood) when doing anything on the roof, even if just my upper torso eith feet on a ladder.

lciancola · 05-14-2011, 06:32 AM

Thanks all for the replies, yeh I found an article where they said the gasket is about an inch thick and they tighten the bolts until the gasket is compressed to half and inch, so hubby just tightened them snug but not overtight. I couldn't find anything on exact amount of torque, did say some of the ac units have a tab on the flat panel somewhere stating the amount of torque but could not find anything on ours. Ours is two year old and also had to replace the skylight covers, already crumbling. Hubby got all the stuff to clean roof and touch up any caulking thats getting cracked or old. You definitely have to keep on top of these things other wise end up with problems. Thank again all

wiscampsin · 05-14-2011, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lciancola

Ours is two year old and also had to replace the skylight covers, already crumbling.

By skylight covers I assume you're talking about the roof vents. When I do my spring and early fall roof inspection/cleaning I apply 303 to the roof vents and roof vent covers. Do you have roof vent covers?

Shin Pond Hunter · 05-14-2011, 09:02 AM

JWB023: the bolts that need to be tightened can be accessed from the inside of your rig. Remove the inside cover to reveal the bolts...

rodro123 · 05-14-2011, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lciancola

I was wondering if anyone has had any problems with water leakage coming in around the air conditioning unit in the center roof on the trailer. My husband was at an RV place the other day, not a Jayco dealer but he repairs all makes. Said he was getting a lot of the Jayco's coming in because of water damage around the ac. He stated manufacturer did not properly tighten the four bolts on the ac unit to the proper torque. When hubby checked ours they were not very tight, so far luckily no water leakage. Any way I need to know how tight the torque should be on these bolts. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

When I had the 256RKS my bolts were finger tight as well. I just gave them each two turns with a wrench and was good to go.

lciancola · 05-14-2011, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiscampsin

By skylight covers I assume you're talking about the roof vents. When I do my spring and early fall roof inspection/cleaning I apply 303 to the roof vents and roof vent covers. Do you have roof vent covers?

I'm not sure what you call them its just the crank up plastic covers for the ceiling fans to let air in. What it the 303, like a uv protectant?

nylyon · 05-14-2011, 12:53 PM

EVERYONE MUST CHECK THEIRS

Our 30.5BHLT was built in March 2011. Our first trip was to Hershey High Meadows which has an active freight train running through it. I turned the A/C fan on for white noise but there was this rattle. I held off investigating until I read this thread. I just finished taking the inside panel off and here's what I saw.

Aside from the obvious, there was one other bolt loose on the opposite corner. It doesn't look like it leaked (I drove it home in torrential rain) but it was definitely a problem. This camper was built less than 2 months ago and has little mileage on it. So everyone check your screws!

Great warning and thank you!

Rustic Eagle · 05-14-2011, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19H F250

I was told , by the dealer ,to check those bolts every year because they tend to loosen while traviling.

I tend to agree.

I actually remove my A/C interior cover vent every spring/fall when I do my twice a year TT caulking and seam check. The A/C gasket may over time loose it's effectiveness (settles do the A/C unit weight, travel, etc.) and a replacement gasket may be in order (not uncommon).

I figure that by a least removing the vent cover every spring/fall, I can check the bolts and for any signs of moisture before any hidden damage is done.

Bob

**Crabman** · 05-14-2011, 02:16 PM

Wow, Nylyon, that`s beyond Finger Loose, That`s rediculously loose!

tbwill · 05-14-2011, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nylyon

EVERYONE MUST CHECK THEIRS

Our 30.5BHLT was built in March 2011. Our first trip was to Hershey High Meadows which has an active freight train running through it. I turned the A/C fan on for white noise but there was this rattle. I held off investigating until I read this thread. I just finished taking the inside panel off and here's what I saw.

Aside from the obvious, there was one other bolt loose on the opposite corner. It doesn't look like it leaked (I drove it home in torrential rain) but it was definitely a problem. This camper was built less than 2 months ago and has little mileage on it. So everyone check your screws!

Great warning and thank you!

Good picture! I forgot to take a picture of mine when I tightened it up, all four bolts were about 1/2 inch away from the frame...not even close to being finger tight! If you look up at the top of the 2nd picture you will see the yellow tab I mentioned in my earlier post. You tighten the bolts down until the bottom of the tabs touch the roof, that will give you the correct foam compression on the gasket.

**Crabman** · 05-14-2011, 07:34 PM

I really do not understand why this gets by QC at the factories since it has been happening for several years now.

rodro123 · 05-14-2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crabman

I really do not understand why this gets by QC at the factories since it has been happening for several years now.

Great question Crabman, but if you have seen the video of jayco building a new TT in 6 hours. There are things they miss checking.

Denise · 05-14-2011, 09:32 PM

Good news for us anyhow. Don pulled the cover off the a/c and could only see two of the bolts. He said they were tight

SmokerBill · 05-15-2011, 07:19 AM

Glad I saw this thread. I checked mine and 3 of the 4 bolts were out almost an inch. And one of those was cross threaded!

There was no indication that the bolt heads ever were snugged up to the sheet metal trim piece. I didn't see any swirl or scuff marks where the underside of the bolt head would have touched when tightened.

Makes me wonder what other ticking bombs there are in my trailer.

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