O ring replacement on hymer655 rooflight

[gwyntaxi]

I think i need to replace the O ring on the winder of the large roof light on my Hymer655, it tends to drip slightly in torrential rain when the van is level, Has any funsters changed this O ring and how difficult/easy is it to access please.

 

[Figaro]

I have the same problem but putting up with it for now as all I do if rain is predicted is make sure I'm not perfectly level and that solves the problem.
There have been threads before on this if you do a search.
I think there was a solution described but I can't remember what it was now

 

[DavidG58]

I also have the issue and don’t think there is an o ring

What a stupid design it is though I have bought a new winder mechanism as ours got really stiff, now resolved that with silicon spray

This is what you are dealing with, this spindle has its own hole through the roof and the bracket is screwed down to the roof

I am working on the leak being standing water overflowing the centre welded top of spindle then coming down to the winder. I have packed that area with Vaseline two weeks ago and am waiting for enough rain to see if that fixes it

Much more likely I fear is that water is getting under the bracket then finding the easiest way out, the spindle / handle being the lowest point. To access that the roof light has got to be removed, just the plastic top bit, then hoping all the screws holding the bracket come out it can then be cleaned and resealed

There are 8 screws in total

 

[Figaro]

Since mine only leaks when the van is level and water is pooling on the roof, I'm assuming the water level reaches the red line then comes down the spindle rather than under the bracket itself as that would leak all the time then.
I'll try your vasaline tip

 

[Lenny HB]

I wouldn't use Vaseline it is petroleum based which can attack some plastics. I would use silicone grease.

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[fat haggis]

On my 655 starline. I thought the same but in the end I took it off the van cleaned up well and reapplied good mastic. Sorted my leak and with the mechanical parts all cleaned and lubed up all is well.
So your better doing the above it will sort it out.

 

[paddymcc]

The vertical spindle withe the cog at the top does have an O ring in it but it's only coming in that way if overflowing as Figaro said. When mine went I took the whole mechanism out and cleaned an greased the spindle but the O ring was fine. I also resealed the metal frame on the roof.
It's been fine since

 

[Larrynwin]

A shame that these vans are built with a perfectly flat roof which if the van is parked level water can pool and find weak seals.
The American RVs I had all had a slight side to side convex to the roof which made pooling of water impossible.

 

[DavidG58]

When mine went I took the whole mechanism out and cleaned an greased the spindle but the O ring was fine. I also resealed the metal frame on the roof.

Update on my leak, post Vaseline addition , light rain minimal pooling, still had several drops off handle

Now going to get mechanism off and resealed , although it might still be leaking round the skylight. Job is above my abilities so am considering booking into a new facility my daughter found locally

Www.habcheck.co.uk she was very pleased with their premises and customer support, look to be a franchise set up so may vary across the country

Definitely not doing it myself

 

[sharewood]

I had a leak last autumn & assumed the water was getting in between the frame & roof then down the spindle tube. I ran mastic right across the front of the frame which has been watertight since. Proper repair in better weather.

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[donkey]

Wait until the leak is apparent, then using tissues dry the area and look carefully at where the leak is coming from.
If it is from the spindle and the outer casing is dry, then it is coming down the shaft.
If it is wet around the outer casing, then it is leaking from poor sealing of the assembly.

Geoff

 

[Reallyretired]

Mine only seems to do it if the vent is open even if only a whisker. Mechanism is stiff so silicone sprayed and it seems to have freed up a bit. Next step is to liberally splurge silicone grease over the plastic gear.

 

[sharewood]

I believe overtightening had fractionally pulled up the assembly so water could access to the tube.

 

[DavidG58]

Wait until the leak is apparent, then using tissues dry the area and look carefully at where the leak is coming from.
If it is from the spindle and the outer casing is dry, then it is coming down the shaft.
If it is wet around the outer casing, then it is leaking from poor sealing of the assembly.

Geoff

Sadly the underside is all covered in a plastic and wood frame with built in lighting. I am sure there must be a way to remove this , but way too risky for me

Even getting access to reseal needs the plastic cover removing as the skylight rises horizontally rather than lifting at one end as most seem to do