Water leak at Air Spoiler
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8620
Printed Date: 26 Jun 2025 at 3:28am
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Topic: Water leak at Air Spoiler
Posted By: bobt49
Subject: Water leak at Air Spoiler
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2016 at 4:24pm
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Discovered evidence of a leak on the rear panel over the bed of our Rpod (2011 RPT177). The amount of water is small, but it is a leak nonetheless. The spoiler is right above the panel and sure enough it has lifted up on on each edge and in several locations along the leading and trailing edge of the spoiler. I tested the screws that are supposed to be holding the spoiler on and they turn freely not engaging competent wood. With a lot of effort I was able to tease out a couple of screws and they are corroded. Obviously they have passed water through to the wood spar underneath the roof. The spoiler design seems to be very poor. No effort was made to prevent water movement at each screw and once the screws lost their grip the spoiler was destined to lift allowing large quantities of water to move in between the spoiler and the roof. There is apparently a significant hole in the roof where the wiring to the lights on the spoiler passes. That is what I believe was the pathway for the water to the interior panel. I have applied a temporary patch to the lifted areas to prevent any more water movement but would like some advice. Anyone had this problem? Any advice on how to proceed would be appreciated. Should I tear into the interior paneling to check the condition of the spar that the spoiler is screwed into?  ------------- Bob & Cindy San Francisco Wine Country RPod 177 Nissan Titan |
Replies:
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2016 at 4:55pm
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Yes, there have been many leaky spoilers. Not really sure why FR sticks with it, they just keep pumping them out. My spoiler looks like the ruffles potato chip company made it. I just keep gouping on the Dicor. Soon I am going to replace the whole unit and hopefully that will improve things. ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: bobt49
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2016 at 9:54pm
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Good description - ruffles potato chip - what were they thinking putting those things on? Doomed to fail. I am going to try Eternabond roof sealant tape to hold the whole thing on, since the screws have failed, and hopefully stop the leaks. Have researched it pretty thoroughly and that sealant tape looks like it might do. Still concerned about the shape the wood rafter is in. ------------- Bob & Cindy San Francisco Wine Country RPod 177 Nissan Titan |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2016 at 10:23pm
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My spoiler looks like the screws were over tightened which pulled that point inward and distorted the shape causing big arches to form between each fastener. Hmm, geez the rafters? I wound't want to go there, but if I did I suppose it would have to be from the inside. ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: bobt49
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2016 at 10:30pm
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Me to. I'm going to think long and hard about digging into it. Am hoping someone on the forum has a lot of experience in this issue. Hopefully, just stopping the leak and securing everything is enough. I think the screws on mine were overtightened also. Did you discover yours before any water had leaked through? ------------- Bob & Cindy San Francisco Wine Country RPod 177 Nissan Titan |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2016 at 10:38pm
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I have not read about anybody tearing open the roof for repairs. Yes, I inspect and reseal every inch of my POD twice a year. On our 3rd season and so far no signs of leaks, but I do have a lot of goop on the spoiler. I have a brand new one waiting to install. Still thinking about how I am going to do it. I would love to just get rid of it, but then I would have all of those holes in the roof to content with. ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2016 at 8:40pm
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Personally I would remove the spoiler and completely seal up the hole with just the wire hanging out, so the spoiler isn't the weatherproof part of the equation. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2016 at 7:05am
I'm thinking the high center brake light, of some sort, is required. No? ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: bobt49
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2016 at 11:16am
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I am definitely taking the spoiler off and plugging the wire access hole so it is water tight like techntrek suggests. I found a reference that indicated the hole could be 3 or 4 inches in diameter. Unbelievable. I think the high brake light is a requirement so gotta put the spoiler back. Also it is probably necessary to cover the wire access hole too. My main problem right now is getting the 15 -20 screws out to remove the spoiler. So far only one of four actually bites into anything and unscrews. It is very awkward and frustrating job. I can't really get into it until next week. Will let you know how it proceeds. ------------- Bob & Cindy San Francisco Wine Country RPod 177 Nissan Titan |
Posted By: densmorema
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2016 at 1:35pm
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I was lucky and caught ours before we had a problem, l was was looking on the roof 2 months after we bought it and noticed cracks in the caulk so I called the dealer cause I know it doesn't take much to make a water path plus they did not leave any weep hole in the spoiler in case water got behind it. Well the dealer added some screws and recaulked it, looks like they did a good job.That was 2 years ago and haven't had a problem.Good luck with yours and happy camping.
------------- Mike and Cherie Michigan 2015 R179 2016 silverado |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2016 at 9:12pm
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It is just a set of running lights - although on my pod and my current camper I DID install an extra set of brake lights high-up for safety. I would put the spoiler back on but now that the hole underneath is weatherproof there is no need to seal the spoiler's edge. Let it weep in all directions. Suggestion for the free-turning screws, use the old wooden match stick trick. A bit of wood in each hole with some glue, let it dry, and now the screws have something to grab when you put them back in. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: bobt49
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2016 at 1:35am
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LOL, the old matchstick trick is a good one that I will employ. Actually, having trouble with backing them out since they just turn in place. It just takes time and patience. Used one of those cameras that you can stick through a tiny hole to inspect in between the interior panel and the roof. Got lucky as the rafters look ok. Should be good to go after that wire access hole is secure and spoiler reattached with new stainless steel screws and matchsticks. Thanks everyone for the input. Extremely helpful. ------------- Bob & Cindy San Francisco Wine Country RPod 177 Nissan Titan |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 05 Sep 2016 at 8:55pm
How did you remove the old sealant? I noticed gaps in the spoiler on our R-Pod as well as cracks in the sealant around the Fantastic Fan. Other areas still look okay. If I go through the trouble of removing the spoiler and fan, I would want to remove the old sealant before resealing with new sealant. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2016 at 7:01am
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I don't remove the Dicor (SLLS), I wipe it clean with acetone on a rag, vigorously, then reapply. ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2016 at 8:57am
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Acetone would likely soften, if not dissolve the spoiler. Since I would be removing it, I would want to get most, if not all of the old Dicor off so I could start with fresh sealant. If I were leaving it in place, I would just use denatured alcohol, which is what was recommended in a video on the Dicor site. Edit: When I worked at Uniflite (since absorbed by Hatteras, then by Chris Craft before the plant shut down completely), we would take shavings of plastic for hatches and put them in acetone to soften and dissolve. This was then used as filler and glue around the cut edges of the hatches. That is why I would be leery of using acetone around any of the plastic parts on the R-Pod. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: bobt49
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2016 at 10:11am
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Have not been able to fix the spoiler on my Rpod but will be attacking the problem in several weeks. I will post pictures and results, eventually. One of the things about Dicor that is so annoying it that it looks so sloppy as it was applied at the factory to vents and air conditioner. Very tempting to somehow remove it and do a cleaner job, but everyone I have talked to says to clean and reapply on top of the original stuff. Any other opinions on this? ------------- Bob & Cindy San Francisco Wine Country RPod 177 Nissan Titan |
Posted By: MDPaddlersPod
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2016 at 11:11am
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What type of sealant do you guys recommend. I have only had my 179 for a few months but am sure my day will come. THANKS. ------------- MDPaddlersPod 2017 RPod 179 2002 Silverado1500 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2016 at 12:07pm
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Dicor seems to be the main brand of sealer used. There are two types: Self leveling and Non-leveling/Non-Sag. The Self-leveling is used on horizontal surfaces such as those around the vent stacks and the vent fan on top of the pod. The Non-leveling/Non-Sag type is made to use on vertical surfaces where the Self-leveling types would run before it could harden. I have seen other brands of lap sealer on Amazon, but I don't have any experience with any of them. That is why I have been reading this and doing searches myself to find out more information. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: MDPaddlersPod
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2016 at 1:11pm
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StephenH, many thanks. ------------- MDPaddlersPod 2017 RPod 179 2002 Silverado1500 |