A/C Bolts that are loose, many affected

[dg1971]

I just checked my 2008 Eagle and the bolts were more than finger tight but not comfortably snug (in my opinion). I tightened all four about three turns just to be on the safe side. Prior to this I have not had any leaks, but the bolts were not loose like some in the previous posts. Again, mine is an '08 and it looks like the newer ones are having the problems, although all should check their units. Takes about 5 minutes to do so.

 

[SmokerBill]

Here's a pic of what mine looked like.

 

[Crabman]

Unbelievable. That just should not happen.

 

[taylorj]

Camper 10

I have a 2010 365 BHS with two A/C units. All of the bolts on both units looked like the two pictures. The factory did not even tightened the bolts!!. The pictures need to be sent to Jayco to show them the poor quality from the factory.
Camper 10

 

[jamoke]

New Jayco - built in Feb 2011.

Just checked...

1 of the 4 bolts was secured. 3 were not making contact with the frame and required significant tightening to be of any use.

Can easily see how water leakage could occur.

Glad it was mentioned here before Murphy found me.

THANKS to the OP!

 

[Seann45]

I just went out and checked mine.. ALL 4 WERE LOOSE. I will phone the dealer this am and see if there is a torque setting for these and if I should put loctite on the threads..

 

[Seann45]

I just went out and checked mine.. ALL 4 WERE LOOSE. I will phone the dealer this am and see if there is a torque setting for these and if I should put loctite on the threads..

Just talked to the dealer.. no torque settins but a 3/8" ratchet and a few turns past snug should do it.. he does not recommend loctite.

 

[nylyon]

When I tightened mine that's what I did, a couple turns past snug, seemed reasonable to me but I used a nut driver so I didn't over do it like I'm known to do.

 

[Terry-JAY]

Here is the official recommendation on tightening:

Proper tension has been achieved for each bolt when
any portion of each gasket indicating tab has been
pulled down even with the roof. See Figure 4. The
upper unit has now been properly installed with
optimum gasket compression.

See one of the manuals here - http://www.rvcomfort.com/pdf_documents/1976271_copy1.pdf

There is a "Gasket Indicating Tab" that is supposed to match up with the roof.
No wonder they come loose - there is really nothing to keep them from vibrating loose.

I would think that blue Loctite might be in order. Not sure why it would cause harm?

 

[Denise-JAY]

Thanks Lee, I'll let Don know. He'll have more time today to open it up.

Don did get to the other two bolts finally. He said those were loose and could be turned with his fingers (but not by much). He said that when he went to tighten, the bolt seemed to just spin. He didn't want to go more than snug, so he stopped tightening. We will get it checked out next time we come close to a Jayco Dealer again.

 

[Seann45]

I was talking to someone else about this and he though they were loose due to the foam gasket compressing.. so will just see what happens over time..

 

[SmokerBill]

Mine didn't come loose. It had to have been shipped out that way, because one of the bolts was cross threaded and I could barely turn it. No way it backed out on its own!

I think to lock them in position, you could remove each bolt completely, pull it out far enough to spin on a hex nut, then use the nut to lock the head against the sheet metal bracket. Make sense?

Might want to slip on a lock washer while you're at it.

Bill

 

[Denise-JAY]

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

I recommend anyone who had to tighten their bolts, contact Jayco with a friendly informative email/letter! The more they hear from, the better the chances that future owners won't have to hassle with this issue

 

[jamoke]

Does anyone at Jayco read or monitor this forum?

They should.

I would think they would be interested in the wisdom and opinions of their customers.

 

[Denise-JAY]

Does anyone at Jayco read or monitor this forum?

They should.

I would think they would be interested in the wisdom and opinions of their customers.

Perhaps another suggestion that can be forwarded to Jayco by members here

 

[RVhiker]

I checked the four bolts attaching my AC to the top of my 28.5RLS fifth wheel today. Two of the bolts had never been tightened at all (about a half inch from the head of the bolt to the metal) and two were tightened; the tightened ones were at diagonally opposite corners. It appeared that the gasket was compressed properly in all four corners of the AC, judging by the yellow indicator. So, I guess, this means that the gasket is tightened enough to prevent a leak -- although just tightening two bolts seems sloppy.

I will ask my dealer to check this, and I will ask him to talk to Jayco for an explanation of what the official procedure is to tighten down these bolts.

By the way, on another fifth wheel we owned (a Sunnybrook) we had a leak at this gasket. The issue was that when the AC was attached to the trailer during construction, the installer did not remove the shipping blocks. So although the AC bolts were tightened, the gasket was never properly compressed because the shipping blocks prevented it. Of course this was after the warranty was expired, and Sunnybrook would not do diddly.

So I'm a bit sensitive to this issue, and will get an explanation from Jayco.

 

[etep571190]

When I picked up my trailer a few weeks ago two people at the dealer told me to check those bolts twice a year. They said it is in the manual and Jayco will not cover damage due to a leak in that location.

 

[Denise-JAY]

Thank goodness for this forum. With all that we have to read, it's possible to overlook something! For someone like Don and I to check it too late, we are screwed. But for others who check something like that right after delivery because they read this forum.... Hallelujia!

 

[Parcany]

Just checked mine and 2 were loose, the other 2 were ok. Later Ernie

 

[Albertaguy]

I was surfing this site this morning and up until now I had missed this. I will be picking up my 5th. in a couple of weeks to clean it up and wash and wax and get ready for my July trip. This will be on top of my list.

(ALBERT GUY... YOUR INQUIRY WAS COPIED OVER TO SITE QUESTIONS FORUM)