i'mforgiven
Texas
New Member
Joined: 10/13/2009
View Profile
 Offline
|
We bought a 1983 Marathon 25' E350 460, 32000 miles. The one good thing about this MH is the Low mileage, and low hrs on genset. I noticed water damage on the bathroom cabinet from the leak around the window and also what looked to be a repair of a previous leak in the overhead cab area. But for a 26 old year MH it did not look that bad.
Well the back window still has a seep, near the joint where the frames are joined together, looks like it may be leaking between the rubber and the frame,but,not sure the best way to fix this.
If any one has some input how to fix this, I would like to here from them.
Well, since the MH had ORANGE shag carpet, that was dirty and worn, I removed the carpet only to find the floor in the bathroom doorway sank down and sloped towards the back wall.
To make a long story short,I replace most of the bathroom floor, built a new cabinet for the sink, rebuilt a lot of center wall framing all from the inside. I left the rear window in place, while repairing the bathroom. I wanted to check for leaks, before re- installing trim, so the DW helped me leak test the back wall repair, taped off the upper 1/3 of window, and put the water hose to it. Water poured in at the center of the wall, at the top of the window. Well the clearance lights were the blame for the bathroom, cabinet and floor.
OH! I forgot to mention about the water coming out of the light's underneath the cabinet over the dinette, water coming out of the light in the center of the MH(got those stopped leaking for now), the water seeping out around the front glass of the cabover window and the water dripping out from the corner seams on the bottom edge right side of the cabover.
It looks like I will be doing a rebuild of the cab over, and will be removing the aluminum roofing and installing TPO roofing material.
It is a shame that the PO didn't take better care of this MH. But with the patience of Job, I will get this MH back on the road again.
I have watching the efforts of MemoryRoads, Ripsnort, Spectramac, and others on there repairs to their MH's. Their efforts and skills have paid off for those who have completed their projects, and will pay off for the others when they finish. Keep up the good work.
I will try to take some pictures and post them ASAP.
* This post was
last
edited 10/19/09 06:16pm by i'mforgiven *
View edit history
|
dceggert
SE Michigan
Full Member
Joined: 07/10/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
Welcome to the forum!
I have a 1992 with soft walls due to window leaks as well. I knew about it when I looked at it and bought it anyway. I know that there is going to be sentiment that it is too bad it has happened, but I do not look at it that way. Let me explain...
I had looked at a 2004 MH that was $35k that had musty smelling storage and cupboards. The owner said it never leaked. The walls were soft in the kitchen.
I looked at a $25k 2001 that was in pretty good condition but the owner had only had it for a year...again "never any leaks, no pets, non-smoker..." Then why did it have a new floor, new rubber roof, and gobs of caulk around the windows and vents?
Then I looked at a 1998 for $10k that had appliances not working, body damage from hitting things, musty, rusty, with soft walls...all after being told it was in 'excellent condition.'
Then I looked at my 1992 for $5k with everything working, no musty smells, but soft walls and in need of a new roof. It also has delamination of the outside fiberglass but there was a difference to this one...the owner pointed it all out and we negotiated a price accordingly. I figured the family could use it for 4 or 5 years and then we will move on to something else and not lose much except time fixing things.
So the moral is: if it did not have the needs it does it would not be mine right now! Your coach is yours *because* it has the needs it has.
Enjoy it...remember, it is still way better than a tent and it does not have to be perfect..
Dan
P.S. I figure when I sell ours I will advertise it as 'always had pets, always leaked, and NOT good for hunters...' Some of the ads are so obnoxiously rediculous...
regards,
Dan
1992 Coachmen Leprechaun 265RF
|
i'mforgiven
Texas
New Member
Joined: 10/13/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
For me the most important things to consider when we looked at this MH was the mechanical condition of the engine(needs carb rebuild and tune up), transmission(ok), dash A/C,(replace comp. and drier), 6 tires(16.5), Roof A/c (ok), frig(ok), WH (??), stove oven(??). Well like yours the price we give reflected the condition of the MH.(just over 2k) Although, after getting the MH home and found other issues we should went lower. OH WELL.
One thing I did asked about was leaks and was told that they had been fixed. Well, when we had our first big thunderstorm it look like a sprinker inside. But the worst leak is the one on the passenger side of the cabover to the underside of the cabover,you could push up on the fiber glass and hear water slosh around. I opened up the seam, water came rushing out, the wood was black and like mush.
Well I just added that to the list of repairs.
The best thing is that is paid for.
Thanks for your insight.
Dan
|
sjptak
Seymour, CT
Senior Member
Joined: 05/23/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
i'mforgiven wrote:The best thing is that is paid for.
Amen to that, brother. That alone will let you enjoy it so much more than if you were to have a $400 payment due in January and every month of winter.
Off to See the Lizard
'99 Four Winds 30' Class C
'97 GEO Tracker
'63 Honda 305 Dream
1947 Wife
1949 Me
|
i'mforgiven
Texas
New Member
Joined: 10/13/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
Well, the window was leaking, but the water that was collecting in the channel was not draining out due to the fact that the PO got sealant in the small slit that drains the water out of the window. I noticed the slit in one of the sliding windows frames and went to the back window to see it it had one, sure enough it did, and now you know the "rest of the story".
Dan
|
|
|
tenbear
Northern Vermont, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/11/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
My rear window was made without drainage slits and it leaked. I cut drainage slits and all is well. I was going to suggest this to you but you beat me to it. I hope the rest of the problems are solved as easily.
2004/5 Four Winds Dutchman Express 28A, Chevy chassis
Subaru Impreza Outback
|
pryland
Louisiana
New Member
Joined: 05/20/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
We have a '95 Fourwinds that we rebuilt. I completely removed all of the automotive type windows on my unit and resealed the glass to the aluminum frame with Silkaflex 221. Then used butyl tape to seal them back to the RV again.
You can check out my rebuild http://www.ecalypso.com/rvblogger.html I believe around page 10 or 11.
You can also bring the unit to a glass shop and have them reseal them.
But it really was not hard to do the job.
Pleased as punch with my repair job so far.
|
i'mforgiven
Texas
New Member
Joined: 10/13/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
I my need to redo the putty around the window. When you put the putty on the window should you put the a layer all around the frame, then as in my case add layers in places to make up the height difference in the fiberglass siding? Not sure I have enough in between frame and fiberglass, but just not sure.
Dan
|
pryland
Louisiana
New Member
Joined: 05/20/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
My coach had smooth fiberglass sides, so not sure on the mounting of the window to the siding. Definitely run at least a single layer around the window opening and if you feel that there is a sizeable gap add another layer either all around or just in the needed places. The excess WILL squeeze out when you tighten the window up.
|
i'mforgiven
Texas
New Member
Joined: 10/13/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
thanks for info
dan
|
|
|
|
