|
07-12-2014, 10:28 AM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Yellow Springs, Ohio
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
Posts: 709
|
Better Check That Roof-Mounted Fridge Vent
While doing a post-trip Escape wash, I noticed the caulking looked loose over the screws that secure the roof-mounted fridge vent cover. Sure enough, with just the tip of a pocket knife, I was able to easily pull out four plugs of silicone caulking, at least one of which showed signs of rust. One rolled away, but below is what I found.
I would like to replace the rusted screws, but for now at least I'm going to clean them up, apply some sort of rust prevention, and re-install with some new caulk, probably a wad of butyl tape.
By the way, our Escape is just over a year old. I looked at taking this cover off several months ago while thinking about home made baffles, and the caulking was well adhered then.
|
|
|
07-12-2014, 10:42 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
Posts: 247
|
I found the same thing. One caulk plug was missing and screws rusted. Replaced screws with stainless steel and got a 7/16 plug for the holes.
There is a non-removable screen under the cover so access from above isn't available.
Dave
|
|
|
07-12-2014, 10:53 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Yellow Springs, Ohio
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
Posts: 709
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by dave1
I
There is a non-removable screen under the cover so access from above isn't available.
Dave
|
That screen totally messed up all the ways I imagined I was going to get in there and install baffles!
|
|
|
07-12-2014, 10:56 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Yellow Springs, Ohio
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
Posts: 709
|
Oh, and what about that plug? Something easy to find at Lowes, or scavenged from something else? Right now, I'm thinking about something to jam in there to keep the caulk off the top of the screw and then just packing it with the butyl putty.
|
|
|
07-12-2014, 10:58 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,207
|
Are the screws galvanized? I like to use a Rust-Oleum product called Cold Galvanizing Compound my plumber told me about for outside gas couplings. Have used it for other things-seems to work very well.
|
|
|
07-12-2014, 11:12 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
Posts: 247
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Parker
That screen totally messed up all the ways I imagined I was going to get in there and install baffles!
|
I know!! Right. Not looking forward to removing the frig. Yeah the plugs came from lowes. Simple flat plastic, seemed to fit well in the hole, don't know how they will stay in as the taper on the hole vrs flat plug. Think your idea of something flexible is a better idea. Screws don't appear to be galvanized.
Dave
|
|
|
07-12-2014, 11:34 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Yellow Springs, Ohio
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
Posts: 709
|
Okay, I think I'll put a little wad of waxed paper on top of each screw since it won't wick moisture and then top it off with the butyl putty.
The screws have a bright plating when new, but nothing as robust as galvanizing. I've had great success with the Rustoleum cold galvanize on clean fresh cut or filed steel. Since these are a little rusty, I'm using Rustoleum rust reformer on them. Stainless is the way to go, really, which I will probably do when I have the Escape home again.
|
|
|
07-12-2014, 11:41 AM
|
#8
|
Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 579
|
Be very careful in the quality of stainless steel hardware you purchase. Go to a boat shop with a magnet if the hardware is magnetic it is low quality and may still rust. The cheap stainless steel screws and such strip out in an instant if your not careful. ( Ask Me How I Know ) :{ LOL
Cypher
|
|
|
07-12-2014, 12:17 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Kelowna, British Columbia
Trailer: 2008 Escape 17b
Posts: 1,868
|
I've got a 2008 17b and my refrigerator vent is on the curb side just under the porch light. When did ETI start roof mounting the vent or is this just on the 19 foot model?
|
|
|
07-12-2014, 01:24 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Trailer: 2006 17b Goucho
Posts: 302
|
There is a roof vent on 17 footers with the wall mounted air conditioner. It is the same vent a refer would use but it is the air inlet for the AC condenser coils.
|
|
|
07-12-2014, 02:22 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Kelowna, British Columbia
Trailer: 2008 Escape 17b
Posts: 1,868
|
I'm unfamiliar with the wall mounted air conditioner. Is it on the options list?
|
|
|
07-12-2014, 03:19 PM
|
#12
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
|
They use the same Dometic low profile roof mount on all the units now. Used to have a wall mount on the 17.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
|
|
|
07-12-2014, 10:12 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
|
In case the "wall mount" description is confusing, I believe this version in mounted in an interior cabinet and venting through the wall... it's not like a window-mount unit sticking through the wall.
|
|
|
07-15-2014, 07:38 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
|
As for a rusty screw, be glad you have an Escape: all of the screws holding the equivalent vent on my motorhome are very rusty, having been installed with no caulk at all to fill the holes.
An interesting item to check, anyway, and if there's any issue it will be easier to fix now than when a screw gets completely rusted.
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|