Roof problems, expert needed

ymfb · Feb 13, 2011

We have a Devon Moonraker with a pop top which leaks. When we did the body work, we replaced all the seals and now it leaks, I dont think it did before.

Any tips or clues would be gratefully received or better still the name of an expert situated in the South/ South West as we are in Salisbury.

Thanks

Sparky · Feb 13, 2011

I guess yours is the same as mine, with the seal between the flat part and the profiled outer? Mine leaked and I replaced this seal but when I did it I repainted the outer part and first 3 inches of the inner parts of the roof to give the seal a chance of sealing. There is a lot of huffing and puffing in replacing this seal and it might be that you have disturbed some of the pop rivets that hold the middle section to the spars. Most people stick of a sheet of vinyl to cover these up so they can't leak (I believe that devon also did this to customer units which developed leaks).

If it is the seal leaking a little bit of sealant injected under the seal can cure it (note it is only at the front and back that this seal keeps the rain out, down the sides it is outside of the passenger compartment)

Or it could be condensation? When we sleep in ours you can see it beading along where the spars are and on the sky light. That is with all 4 of us in there and the roof down!

Sparky

Guest · Feb 14, 2011

Sparky is right.

All devon concertina pop tops will invariably leak from the rivets.

have a look at this

http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7483&p=71680&hilit=devon+roof#p71680" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

jacks906 · Feb 14, 2011

don't worry tho i spent a weekend fixing the leaks and it is possible to get it leak free like mine now also it doesn't cost much either

..... its great waking up and not confused if you have wet the bed or the roofs leaked

....

get rivets that have blocked end, slightly bigger than standard, sticka flex - (you can get it in gray to blend into the alli), and a few free hours, drill out, blob of sticka flex, new rivet in. simples leak free roof :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

worked a treat for me

i can get you the size of rivets i used if you want too?

ymfb · Feb 15, 2011

That would be great if you could give me the details of the rivets. I have alraedy put blobs of silicone sealant on the top of them

dt100 · Feb 15, 2011

I'm currently doing exactly that - replacing all the rivets... actually I've replaced the aluminium strengtheners also due to both the long pieces being broken into two.

I'm using:
Closed End, Low Profile Domed Head - Aluminium Head, SS Mandrel -9.5mm x 4mm (slightly bigger than original @ 4mm)
Will be using 11mm version of the same for the ones that hold the skylight.

I got mine on-line from a company called 'Rivet Holdings Limited' [parts AD56SS and AD58SS] - they weren't cheap though, and the delivery charge extortionate!! but they seem to be doing a good job so far.... just been putting a small blob of white 'siloflex' on the head of the rivet before putting into the opened 4mm hole.

.... I'm no expert on this (see other threads on paint disaster on the other part of the roof!!).... but happy with the job so far!