Replacing Bathroom Vent

[ddevin]

I need to replace my bathroom vent on my 2009 17B. It has never been done and it is beginning to leak. The vent is attached with rivets. How difficult is it to remove rivets, and then re-attach with rivets, for someone that has never used a rivet gun before? I read a post on how to replace the vent, but their vent was attached with screws. Should I take it to a RV shop?

[cpaharley2008]

If you are not comfortable with removing and reinstalling, yes to using a shop. Is there a reputable one you have been using for past 11 years?

[ddevin]

No, other than re-packing bearings, have not had to doing anything that we could not handle. I can look around.

[cpaharley2008]

Post a picture of the vent so we can help find the replacement...inside and outside

[ddevin]

Here are some shots.

[cpaharley2008]

So it is a square vent, do you know the size of the opening or the dimensions of the vent? 10x10 square or 10x14 rectangle?

[Vermilye]

Escape makes (or did at one time) an adapter to their current power vent. While I suspect you can find an exact replacement, the power vent was a nice update in my 17. Here is how I did it.

If you want to do an exact replacement, find the proper size (my 2011 17B used a 9 1/2" square hole), drill out the rivets with the smallest drill that will remove them (probably 1/8"), clean up the fiberglass & holes, put down a strip of Butyl tape around the edge & screw or pop rivet the new cover in place. You can also use a tube type caulk such as DiCor in place of the Butyl tape & finish up with their lap sealant on the rivet heads.

Not a major project, but if you really don't want to tackle it, most rv service people have done it before.

[cpaharley2008]

Amazon has several 14" replacement vents, here is one for $35 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0027XEKQ8...692120&sr=8-74

[gbaglo]

My recollection is the bath vent is 9" X 9". Can't measure at the moment.

[cpaharley2008]

I think you are right, my first E19 had the small one also here is 9x9 Hengs vent https://www.amazon.com/Hengs-17511-C...2693062&sr=8-2
this looks like the one in op's picture with 5 holes across

[ddevin]

Yes, 9 1/8 X 9 1/8.

[ddevin]

Perfect, I think I will try and replace it myself, especially if I can use screws instead of rivets. Any advice on the screws? Stainless steel I would imagine, but gauge and length? Sorry to be a pain, but I really don’t want to mess this up! Thanks for all your advice!

[Vermilye]

The size screw depends on the size hole you make when you drill out the old rivets. While screws in fiberglass don't hold as well as rivets, the amount of sealant you will need to prevent leaks will do most of the holding. #8 screw for an 1/8" hole, #10 - 9/64".

Here is a table - I'd use the hardwood column.

[gbaglo]

There are certainly enough holes for rivets. No fear of it coming away. Why not replace with same size rivets?

[cpaharley2008]

and use butyl tape around the perimeter as mount the new flange to mount the kit. It may have size of screw in the instructions but I'd order a roll of butyl tape.

[ddevin]

Agree. Just fear if doing something new. Rivets it is. Same question- size of rivets?

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

Escape makes (or did at one time) an adapter to their current power vent. While I suspect you can find an exact replacement, the power vent was a nice update in my 17. Here is how I did it.

I followed Jon’s lead. The fan is a nice upgrade. I hope ETI still offers the kit.
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post183319

[mt caleb]

Just to add to this thread with current data... I ordered the Heng's Industries vent off Amazon and it arrived and is cheap garbage. I am returning it, they didn't even box it up to ship it, just put a label on the product packaging (with a window) that would be sitting on the shelf in a store. Anyone got any other lines on a 9" x 9" replacement?

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by mt caleb

Anyone got any other lines on a 9" x 9" replacement?

Elixar: https://www.rvpartsnation.com/rv-ext...ni-vent-white/

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Elixar: https://www.rvpartsnation.com/rv-ext...ni-vent-white/

Made by Heng's. Piece of junk.