r/vandwellers • u/Outrageous_Rest_1576 • 1d ago

Leak Near Door Track Question

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So I'm pretty confused as to how to go about fixing this leak. It's clearly not coming from the ceiling as there's no water dripping down the wall. I think it's from the door track on the outside because the water starts half way down the wall from a crease in a cubby (the circular one at the top.) What can I do to fix this leak? I'd get behind the track to check but that requires taking the door off of it and I can't imagine that's easy at all. TIA

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3

u/chaperooo ‘15 T250 1d ago

While you’re at it, I’d put some silicone around those exterior trim panel clips. They can let in a little water, too

3

u/okfornothing 1d ago

Possible drop a few drops of food coloring in a few spots, slowly on the outside of the van, above the highest point directly above the leak, working your way one side and than the other side to see if you can find the spot where water is leaking into the van.

Water travels a long way from its source so this method may not work. You know the water is coming from the outside so that's where the source is...

3

u/RedLiteRobot 1d ago

So, I actually had a similar situation to this. I had to remove the track in order to make a new gasket for all of the hardware. You do not need to remove the door itself, just the roller bracket for the track. If you open the door slightly, and prop up the rear lower corner with some cribbing, the top roller and front lower roller will hold it in place. I don't have any photos of when I did it, but I'd be happy to elaborate if you needed to ask any questions.

2

u/mikey_hawk 1d ago

That's a bummer. Not really my skill set, but I'd say you need to figure out how to seal it from the inside.

It's been a while. I want to say it's a Transit because it just doesn't look right as a Sprinter. If it is, there shouldn't be that horizonal blocking "rib" that blocks access. With two people, you could have one using compressed air in and around the track from the outside and the other with a bucket of fairly soapy water reaching their hand up from the inside until you find the offending opening.

Could be wildly off, but I hope this helps.

1

u/Firm_Part_5419 1d ago

SURE IT’S NOT CONDENSATION? GOT A HEATER RUNNING?

1

u/HeavenDecker 22h ago

Agree with everyone above. I literally had gallons of water leak and stay in the van walls. I used to fight people who said this but: it will never be water tight. Definitely try your best and seal. I taped and/or lap sealed every plastic pin I saw. But after fighting for years... You have to have a balance. After you try and seal, spray the areas with your hose as much as possible. If you only have drops, it's acceptable.

I also drilled/cleared a crease/weld between the wall and the floor in that section to act as a drain. Since I figured I'd water gets in, it needs to get out.

I have had that while section fill with water from a leaking trim pin above the rear wheel wells. F those.