Windshield water leak just started - Itasca 30B

[spotrot]

When raining (and the RV parked) water has just started dripping steadily near the upper left corner of the windshield. It's a pretty big leak: a drop every 4 seconds, a cup every few hours.

I inspected the insides of the overhead cabinets as well as possible. Everywhere is dry. Outside on top, the calking at the cap to roof joint looks good, as does the calking on the sides of the roof near the front.

I hate to tear off the rubber molding at the top of the windshield (outside) just to take a look. I have no diagrams to show how the cap seals to the windshield or its frame.

Just thought I'd post to see if someone else has had a similar leak there and found a good way to troubleshoot it.

[Peddler95]

As stated above, the rubber molding, above, below, and in between the windshields is easy to remove and replace. I strongly suggest you remove it and check for rust. I found surface rust over about 50 percent of the frame and a coupleof places where leaks had started. Treated with rust neutralizer and painted with Rustoleum.
I check it every year and so far no new rust.

There are also two steel tabs that the glass rests on while the adhesive cures. Rust expands ands puts pressure on the glass, causing cracks. I checked with Winnebago engineering and they confirmed that after theadhesive cures, the tabs serve no further purpose. I carefully bent mine down to take pressure off the glass. One was so rusted, it broke off.

[atodalen]

dbates wrote:
When I had to have both windshields replaced the glass place advised that the metal around the window was rusty and he's seen this and complete rust through on a lot of Winnebago’s. This fact has been testified to by many on this forum also.
Dave

As Dave said, the rusty windshield frame causing leaks on Winnebagos is fairly common. The rust has even been known to crack windshields. I had mine replaced last year and the shop had to do some rust remediation. Mine had started to leak prior to replacement. When I first noticed the leak, I removed enough of the screws in the paneling under the front cabinets to see where the water was getting in and also was able to see rust at that spot. I'd suggest that you not delay the fix very long if it is due to rust. It could turn into costly repair of the windshield frame if it continues to rust away. Best of luck---
Al

[dbates]

When I had to have both windshields replaced the glass place advised that the metal around the window was rusty and he's seen this and complete rust through on a lot of Winnebago’s. This fact has been testified to by many on this forum also. The rubber seal that covers the glass & cap is easy to remove and reinstall but it only seals with tension. I’ve been using 1.5” PVC tape across the top of the rubber seal attaching it to the cap. It seemed to have eliminated the water leakage inside. I’ve needed to replace the tape about every 2 years and want to find a UV resistant tape that will last longer.

This may or may not be your problem.

Dave

[spotrot]

It's a 2008 Itasca Sonova 30B.

Thank you very much for the running light idea. Never crossed my mind but it's so much easier (and non-destructive) to test than the upper rubber windshield molding.

I'll try it tomorrow when it stops raining.

[LadyRVer]

Had a Sightseer 30B and leak started from above the windshield.
It was coming from a clearance light. Removed the lense cover and discovered a few problems. Cleaned, resealed the lenses holder and replaced lense. No more leak.

[Peddler95]

spotrot wrote:
When raining (and the RV parked) water has just started dripping steadily near the upper left corner of the windshield. It's a pretty big leak: a drop every 4 seconds, a cup every few hours.

I inspected the insides of the overhead cabinets as well as possible. Everywhere is dry. Outside on top, the calking at the cap to roof joint looks good, as does the calking on the sides of the roof near the front.

I hate to tear off the rubber molding at the top of the windshield (outside) just to take a look. I have no diagrams to show how the cap seals to the windshield or its frame.

Just thought I'd post to see if someone else has had a similar leak there and found a good way to troubleshoot it.

What year?

[Big_Katuna]

Mine started leaking in the same place when it was about a year old still under warranty.
I went round and round with my local Fleetwood dealer who kept wanting to try to reseal it.

Fortunately a gravel truck bounced a robin egg sized gravel into it so no deductible Fl insurance replaced it and cured it.