Cold air leak coming from the cab/habitation joints

[AndreaBB]

I’ve noticed that the front part of my Swift Voyager is always much colder than the middle and rear of the motorhome.

At first, I assumed this was simply due to poor insulation around the cab doors and the lack of a warm air outlet near the front seats.

Recently, while sitting in the habitation area during the day with all the blinds closed, I noticed light coming through. If light can get in, cold air can too.

I’ve attached both a daylight photo and one taken with the blinds down, showing the joint between the habitation area and the cab. It is quite clear where the cold air is coming in, and this is happening on both sides.

Has anyone experienced the same issue on a Swift Voyager, or found a good way to seal or improve this area? Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

The cold air ingress would not worry me too much, but a potential ingress of water, would.
Can it not be resealed with a suitable mastic, non-drying sealant but on the outside?

 

[AndreaBB]

The cold air ingress would not worry me too much, but a potential ingress of water, would.
Can it not be resealed with a suitable mastic, non-drying sealant but on the outside?

Mastic probably can fix it, I was wondering how common this situation is.
From an air leak perspective, we are very sensitive to cold feet (and it’s not pleasant having 5 degrees difference from the ceiling to the floor)

 

[donkey]

Check underneath the 'B' pillars. There is probably access to the 'B' pillar, the mod is to stuff them full of bubble wrap or similar. Very common on Swift built vans.

Geoff

 

[Two on Tour]

There a flap vents under the vans that let air into and out of an area behind the driver's and passenger's door footwell, and this causes cold drafts around the cab to hab joining area.

Ignore the coloured arrow, it was pointing out something on another thread.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

As said, the light is coming through the B pillar profiled shaped cab transition from the cab to the wider habitation area. I would be nervous about silicone sealing the inner removable profiled section. Something removable like "clear protective film, aka helicopter wing tape " might be more suitable solution, or the outside "bubble wrap packing" mentioned above.
Mike.

 

[Gellyneck]

There a flap vents under the vans that let air into and out of an area behind the driver's and passenger's door footwell, and this causes cold drafts around the cab to hab joining area.

Ignore the coloured arrow, it was pointing out something on another thread.

View attachment 1189532

They're pressure relief valves that let the air out when you close an enclosed van cab door. Obviously, they're there in all builds.

 

[Two on Tour]

They're pressure relief valves that let the air out when you close an enclosed van cab door. Obviously, they're there in all builds.

Correct, but mine certainly like others did not seal properly when I inspected them looking for cable routes, and let drafts in.

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[Gellyneck]

Correct, but mine certainly like others do not seal properly when I inspected them looking for cable routes, and let drafts in.

Yip, ours are sealed up now.

 

[Two on Tour]

Yip, ours are sealed up now.

Ditto.

 

[AndreaBB]

There a flap vents under the vans that let air into and out of an area behind the driver's and passenger's door footwell, and this causes cold drafts around the cab to hab joining area.

Ignore the coloured arrow, it was pointing out something on another thread.

View attachment 1189532

Ours is a Ford, need to check if it’s the same.
Thanks

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

They're pressure relief valves that let the air out when you close an enclosed van cab door. Obviously, they're there in all builds.

They aren't really needed for a van with a habitation area behind the cab. They can be closed off without any issues.

 

[Bill-H]

As said, the light is coming through the B pillar profiled shaped cab transition from the cab to the wider habitation area. I would be nervous about silicone sealing the inner removable profiled section. Something removable like "clear protective film, aka helicopter wing tape " might be more suitable solution, or the outside "bubble wrap packing" mentioned above.
Mike.

Polytunnel repair tape. clear, very strong, very adhesive and available in various widths.
I carry a 4" wide roll and have used in on several occasions, holding together a shattered headlight, smashed rear light and holding a dropped rear body panel on another users motorhome.

 

[AndreaBB]

Ok, so I’m not concerned about rain as the area is behind the habitation cover (red circle), but it maight be subject to water ingress from splashes when driving.

 

[Pedro Pallent]

There a flap vents under the vans that let air into and out of an area behind the driver's and passenger's door footwell, and this causes cold drafts around the cab to hab joining area.

Ignore the coloured arrow, it was pointing out something on another thread.

View attachment 1189532

I have similar vents under my cab, removed the plastic inserts stuffed the inside with bubble wrap then replaced them. Haven’t had any problems since

 

[Ingwe]

I replaced the two flaps shown in post #5 with two Fiat, made for the purpose, plastic covers. This was only on the passenger’s side where the navigator felt a cold draught. These covers have helped but not eliminated the problem. She uses a rug now when we drive in the cold. Not optimal but will do until we find a complete answer (if there is one).

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[Minxy]

Are you sure the areas where you can see light are actually able to allow air & water in? It is more likely that what you are seeing is light penetrating through the thin outer body skin which has no insulation etc internally.

 

[Cush]

Are you sure the areas where you can see light are actually able to allow air & water in? It is more likely that what you are seeing is light penetrating through the thin outer body skin which has no insulation etc internally.

This

 

[AndreaBB]

It was a lack of sealing underneath the chassis. Good job, Swift.

 

[gwyntaxi]

I’ve noticed that the front part of my Swift Voyager is always much colder than the middle and rear of the motorhome.

At first, I assumed this was simply due to poor insulation around the cab doors and the lack of a warm air outlet near the front seats.

Recently, while sitting in the habitation area during the day with all the blinds closed, I noticed light coming through. If light can get in, cold air can too.

I’ve attached both a daylight photo and one taken with the blinds down, showing the joint between the habitation area and the cab. It is quite clear where the cold air is coming in, and this is happening on both sides.

Has anyone experienced the same issue on a Swift Voyager, or found a good way to seal or improve this area? Any advice would be much appreciated.



View attachment 1189514It’s surprising how much draught/airflow comes through the face/dashboard vents even when parked up…....just sayin