dadmomh
Jackson, TN
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On another thread, there was mention of the A/C bolts needing to be torqued yearly or tightened and then using Locktite. I asked DH if this is something he does, and he doesn't. Said this was the first he has heard of it. Thoughts?? Ours is stored 24/7 undercover, but that's not gonna help much when driving down the interstate. What about vent covers, etc?? Not really anxious to have a leaky roof. What do ya'll think??
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fordsooperdooty
Southern California
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Yes...to at least checking to see if they are tight yearly, DON'T over tighten..and no locktite! The bolts loosen up only because the gasket compresses. After a few years, the foam gasket up there will compress fully..and will have to be replaced...an easy DIY job on the roof.
P.S.-NEVER caulk the A/C unit to the roof! The results will NOT make you happy!
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Car Guy
South Central Wisconsin - America's Dairyland
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Hi Sooperdooty- Curious on why you're not recommending caulking the A/C unit. Well recommended dealer did it for mine before I noticed ceiling damage. Curious your thoughts. Same said dealer recommended Loctite. Feedback please. Thanks a ton!
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bdpreece
Woodburn Oregon
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Since the seal is made of rubber and will crush over time I personally would not use calk or Loctite. I do check tightness of the bolts about once a year and tighten if necessary. Several years ago we were following a travel trailer down the road and when he went over a bump you could actually see daylight between the air conditioner and the roof. He turned off so I never got to tell him.
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othertonka
Stockton, CA
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I second the idea of NO caulk around the A/C. It is set on a foam rubber gasket and all you need to do, if it does not leak, is take the grill on the inside off and find the 4 screws/bolts at/near the 4 corners of the AC and just tighten them equally each about 1/2 to 3/4 turns. This will take a little slack up and compress the foam gasket a little more and should be good for another year. If you caulk around the AC all you will doing is form a dam and probably keep the foam from ever being compressed again in the future. I don't know where you would ever put the locktight!!!
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Chuck_S
Broadview Hts, OH, USA
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1. The AC unit install instructions specify no caulk. It's a rubber that's only compressed per the instructions. Too tight or too loose and it will leak. Find the installation instructions for your unit on line. I put a dab of red nail polish where the bolt and washer meet the surface so I can see if they've moved. Haven't.
2. The vent cover bolts s don't penetrate the roof and therefore can's "leak."
3. Locktite is applied to the bolt threads. Use nothing more than Blue if you expect to get the bolt out again without a torch.
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fordsooperdooty
Southern California
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What they said!
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rickm
windsor
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caulking is not needed....the rubber seal is all thats needed, just give the 4 bolts a turn or two seasonally
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wmoses
Houston, Texas, USA
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Had my RV since April 2010 and have done nothing to my AC bolts. I will only tighten these if there is a leak. So far nothing is amiss so I have decided there is no need to tighten the gasket unnecessarily. That said this thread is useful to bear in mind.
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Wayne
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dadmomh
Jackson, TN
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Thanks all, looks like DH is doing it just right.
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