AC leaking inside keystone

[kguess]

Last summer on two occasions , the ac leaked inside. I went online and read about several reasons and tried the easy fix first, tighten the 4 screws that hold the unit 'pinched' to the roof. It seemed to work but leaked again on another trip. This time I changed the level of the camper and it worked. This week I am getting ready for summer so I checked the 4 screws again and they were loose again. Should I put LOCK TIGHT' on them this time? Seems they get loose over time. (2011 Keystone Hideout)

[chuckster57]

Loc-Tite will help, just don't use high strength.

[cabinfever]

Maybe just use lock nuts?

[bobbecky]

If the leak continues, you may need to remove the A/C and replace the foam gasket between the roof and the bottom of the A/C unit. It's possible there is a gap in the gasket that can't be fixed by just tightening the screws.

[MarkS]

There is a drain pan to catch drips from the coils. The pan drains through a tube to the roof. This tube sometimes get plugged. Dirt, bugs, spider webs...

[kguess]

Just read that Loctite only works on metal to metal so I'm waisted my time using it on the AC bolts since its metal to wood. Will have to tighten them every now and then..... Hope I don't have to pull AC and replace seal under it, doesn't sound easy.

[chuckster57]

The 4 bolts that hold the A/C unit in place should go through the plate on the ceiling and into threads on the unit. There isn't any mounting screws onto any framing that I know of.

If you remove the plastic face that covers the ceiling, you should be able to see the four LONG corner bolts.

[Bob Landry]

Loc-tite will do nothing. The gasket is losing it's ability to resist compression and needs to be replaced. When you replace the gasket and reinstall the four corner bolts, tighten them equally until yu get about 1/4" of compression on the gasket.
The drain on the evaporator pan is plugged. The condensate should run out over he roof. Instead, the tray is overflowing into the interior.

[kguess]

Well I used the loctite to see if it does the trick, I like to try the 'easy fix' first then move on from there. I'll post results later, thanks for your input.....

[trucker LOU]

I had similar leak last summer. removed cover and cleaned drain holes,worked for 2 days and leaked again. gasket was compressed so far drain pan was down to roof and plugging drains.new gasket fixed problem.

[rjsurfer]

Originally Posted by Bob Landry

Loc-tite will do nothing. The gasket is losing it's ability to resist compression and needs to be replaced. When you replace the gasket and reinstall the four corner bolts, tighten them equally until yu get about 1/4" of compression on the gasket.
The drain on the evaporator pan is plugged. The condensate should run out over he roof. Instead, the tray is overflowing into the interior.

+1

Don't waste your time with Locktite.

Ron W.

[Bob Landry]

The OP did not say anything about rain or snow, so assuming that, the only leak would be from the evaporator condensate pan drain being plugged and not allowing the condensate to run off. I'm always amazed at how many people read their own facts into some of these responses.

[kguess]

Tucker, What year is your trailer? When I took the inside vent cover off to tighten the bolts I could see that the gasket was not compressed flat.
Was it hard to change the gasket?

[scott24]

Cut pieces of strand wire and put them in the holes once you take out the lags. The guage wire depends on the size of the hole. As you tighten up the lags the strands of wire will spread out making the lag grip the hole.

[kguess]

Bob, I am going to remove the cover and check the pan. I do not get any leaks when it rains, so I think you are correct, condensation not running off....
I guess it is easy to find the pan....?

[Bob Landry]

The evaporator is sitting in it. Go up on the roof and you'll see a small tube coming out of the side of the AC. That is the drain tube. You can probably clean it out with a stiff wire without having to remove the shroud.
On the inside, drop the cover and use a mirror to see if there is any rust or debris accumulated in the pan. If there is, you need to figure out how to clean it out.

The gasket does not get compressed flat. When a new gasket is installed it is only partially compressed. I don't remember what the book says, maybe 50%, but just enough to show some compression is good. The gasket should be good for several tightenings and to replace it you have to remove the upper portion of the unit.

[kguess]

spent a few days in Orange beach and used A/C with no leaking issues. I did tighten the four bolts and did use loc tite. Will see what happens this summer, I think it's humidity issues not leaking form gasket.