Roof Air Conditioner Water Leaks A fairly common complaint is that of water leaks from the rooftop air conditioner. These do not have to be nearly as hard to find or fix as people often make them- they simply need to be dealt with in a systematic method. The first question when dealing with this type of leak is- does it leak when it's raining or when the air conditioner is running (or, more rarely, both)? To deal with either, we need to look closely at how the air conditioner is mounted, and how it deals with the condensation generated while running. The main thing to keep in mind, is that the air conditioner is sealed to the roof using a sponge rubber gasket- this gasket is compressable, and really is a long term maintenance item (they can last years, but not forever). This gasket is compressed by 3 or 4 bolts running from the inside assembly up to the top. For either "rain only" or "while A/C is running" leaks, first make certain there is at least 1/2 inch of gasket left (it is not tightened right down to the roof), then check the bolt for tightness- just make sure they are all snug, but don't over tighten- there must be the gap between the bottom of the A/C and the roof.

The reason for this gap is that on most roof top A/C/ units, the condensation drains out the bottom of the unit- between the base of the air conditioner and the roof. combination ac and heat unitsFor this reason, never, ever seal around the perimeter of the air conditioner- I cannot say how many times I have had to deal with a unit where someone slopped goop around the base of the air conditioner, trapping water in where it has to leak inside. best coastal ac unitsThe "inside"coils of the air conditioner sit in a drain pan, to collect the condensation, which then runs out a small hole in the side, and out the bottom.energy credit for ac unit If the leak is both while raining, and while running, and the gasket is still thick enough and tight, odds are there is some roof deterioration underneath the air conditioner- as long as the roof isn't sagging, causing water to puddle up around the air conditioner, which can be checked by pulling a string across the roof, from side to side.

If there is significant sag, the air conditioner needs to be raised, either by installing 2 gaskets or by removing the air conditioner and putting shimmed between the roof material and roof frame- this is the method I usually use, building up with strips of 1/4" plywood, until the air conditioner is high enough that water cannot run in. Of course, roof sag may be an indication of a larger problem, but quite often it is just age, and other than a bit of sag, there are really no structural problems. If the leak is only while the unit is operating, first check all of the above, if everything checks out, odds are that the drain holes are simply plugged up, or that the evaporator coil is very dirty, which will cause enough suction to keep the water from draining properly. To deal with this, we have to get up on the roof, and do some disassembly. You have to remove the plastic shroud, and then the front evaporator cover, which is usually held on by a number of screws. This will get you in to the evaporator and drain pan- it is usually fairly obvious if the drains are clogged, and they are easily cleaned, but if you are going this far, it is a good time to check the evaporator coils for dirt, and clean them if needed (if they haven't been cleaned in a while, it really wouldn't hurt to clean them.

Coleman recommends "Formula 409" cleaner, which works well- I use "VoomRV", but most mild degreaser type cleaners should do fine. I don't like to use the standard coil cleaner products for this, as most of them are acidic, and while they would be fine in a large house air conditioner, I don't like the idea of these products running down the outside of an RV. Another great cleaner that I don't like for this application is "Simple Green"- it has some issues with aluminum. The hardest part of cleaning the coils is rinsing them off without flooding the inside of the RV- being very careful with the water, putting rags in the opening from the top, and putting down a protective cover inside should keep everything A-OK. While you are up there with all these items, cleaning the outside condenser coils is a great idea- on air conditioners only a few years old, I can usually lower the amperage draw by 1 to 2 amps, simply by cleaning these coils (letting them get rid of the heat more easily). So- understanding what kind of leak you have, and where the water is supposed to go in a properly operating system, we can see that solving roof air conditioner leaks really isn't a hard job, as long as you have a bit of knowledge.

Website © 1998-2013 by Christopher D. Bryant, Bryant Services, LLC   This website was built with HTML KickStartStill troubleshooting with your air conditioner? Share with us the specifics of what's wrong, including as much information as you can, and we might be able to help you out.Similarly, if you've got a story about an RV air conditioner repair or malfunction, we'd love to hear that too! Sharing these types of stories is can prove very valuable to other RVers looking for insights.All questions will be answered in the order I receive them and all are FREE regardless. If you would like to have your question moved to the front of the list or you have received an answer on this site that really saved you some money, please consider supporting the website by making any size donation you’d like. While this site is FREE to you it does cost us time and money to operate. Thanks, and keep the questions coming. Click here to see the rest of the form and complete your submission.Click on the links below to read other questions and stories about RV air conditioner repair.

Each one was written by a visitor to this page, just like yourself. Humidity Issue on Coleman Roof Air on 96 Gulf Stream Conquest Travel Trailer  Question: My roof air works very well, but the humidity seems to creep up the longer we have it on. The air is always cold when compressor kicks on. A/C Compressor Does Not Always Come On When Tstat Calls For Cool  Question: My center unit, 13,500 BTU AirXcel/Coleman unit will come on when thermostat calls for cool, and fan comes on immediately. The compressor does … My RV AC Stopped Working After Connected To Generator  Question: Hi My AC stopped working after I connected power to my generator (1000W) and I forgot switch the AC off on the thermostat. I was able to turn … Compressor Won't Shut Off  Question: When camping this last weekend and it was very hot. No problems until the next morning when noticed that the compressor wouldn't shut off … Dometic A/C unit 13500 BTU model # 600315.321  Question: Monoco Knight Motorhome 2001.

Front A/C unit works fine until it reaches the set temp then the fan shuts off but I keep hearing something running. Carrier RV Rooftop AC Lite Blinks 5 Times  Question: I have a carrier standard rooftop a/c. It works in heating and fan only.The evaporator,condenser coils are clean,the compressor windings have … Air Kicks on Turns LCD TV Off/On  Question: When my RV air unit kicks on the 120v tv in my bedroom kicks into restart. Is this a problem with my air or is the tv just to sensitive to the … A/C Compressor Wont Come On.  Question: I have a 1984 Prowler Regal 5th wheel and last summer the A/C worked fine except I had to constantly get on the roof to give the blower fan … My RV Roof AC Does Not Cool  Question: My 87 Winnebago roof top air conditioner doesn't cool. It runs but won't get cold. What should I do? Robbie: If the AC is 25 years … RV A/C Blowing Styrofoam From The Ceiling Ducts  Question: I am thinking strongly about purchasing a "2008" Fleetwood Excursion 40X.

It appears to be in excellant condition and been well taken care … My RV Air Conditioner Is Too Loud, What Can I Do?  Question: I have a duo therm air conditioner. It cools fine, but it is very loud. It sound like something is vibrating more than it should. Carrier RV Air Conditioners?  My a/c unit on my Outback travel trailer is made Carrier and sadly has died. The only advise I have received from several sources … My AC Is Not Cooling In My Pop-up Trailer, Only Blowing Hot Air  Question: My AC is not cooling on my pop up. It cooled last year but this year it is blowing hot air. Robbie: Could be a number of items causing … Can't Get Roof Air Conditioner To Turn On In My 85 Southwind Motorhome  Question: I just bought a 85 Southwind, I can't get my roof air conditioner to come on, checked the fuse under the hood, breaker is on trying to run … My RV AC Doesn't Blow Out Any Cold Air  Question: It appears that the condenser doesn't turn on. The fan blows fine but no matter how cold I turn the dial it doesn't blow out any cold air.

Buzzing Sound from RV Air Conditioner Compressor That Used To Pop Breaker  Question: Hi, My air conditioner worked fine for about two trips then would start popping the RV 20 amp breaker. the more we used it the quicker it used … No Matter Where Thermostat Is Set, RV AC Will Not Cycle On  Question: My AC cools very well but it will not cycle on and off (compressor). No matter where we set the temp control the compressor won't cycle on … AC Unit comes on for short time and clicks off and then back on and then off again.   Question: AC Unit comes on for short time and clicks off and then back on and then off again. It continues to do this until I shut it off. We are camped … RV Customer Said His A/C Blew Up by Turning Power on Too Fast  Question: A customer in our RV Park stated that his A/C unit blew up after my wife turned his power off a couple times during a 5 minute period. Carrier Ducted Remote Control Air Conditioner  Question: When we attempt to turn on the ac, green light comes on, flashes five times, goes off, comes back on, flashes five time and the ac never comes …

Used RV AC Won't Turn On  Question: We just purchased a used RV from a dealer and the AC worked fine for two days. Now when we try to turn it on we get a click from the control … Water Dripping From RV Roof AC  Question: We recently purchased an older 5th Wheel. The interior is in very good condition and, I believe, the unit has been well cared for. Air Conditioner Not Turning On  Question: Hi, My husband and I just purchased a 1995 prowler trailer. it has rooftop air that won't turn on. we can get the fan and the heater to work … Air Conditioner Blowing No Cold Air  Question: I am having a problem with the air conditioner (duo-therm) on my camper. I ran the air conditioner last week plugged in to 110 outlet to make … Air Conditioner Trips Circuit Breaker   Question: My front ac unit blows the circuit breaker after running for about ten minutes. The rear unit is fine. Robbie: AC systems are the most … RV Air Conditioners Trip The Breaker While Driving I HAVE A DAMNON ASTORIA 38 FOOT CLASS A RV!

IT HAS 2 ROOF TOP TRANE AIR CONDITIONERS. BOTH UNITS RUN FINE ON SHORE POWER! THE UNITS ALSO RUN FINE ON … Carrier Air Quit Working In Trailer  Question: We just got a FEMA trailer and the air stopped working but we still have lights. We have a Carrier air on top of it. To Window AC or Not?  (For a camper that does not go on the road) I live in my travel trailer year-round and I am wondering if it would be more energy efficient … AC Remote For My Carrier AC  Question: Have carrier rv ac the unit works fine but controlled by remote controller that will not let me adjust temps. Any suggestions so I don't have … Replacing Air Conditioner Cover On RV  Question: Need to replace the a/c cover on a 2009 Cardinal by Forest River. I dont have owners manual and can not find anywhere who made it. Carier AC Bearing Noise  Question: Ac unit started making a sound like bearings going out or a bearing sound form spinning Robbie: It sounds like you've got a bearing …

2005 Jayco Greyhawk Leak Around AC Vent in Cabin? What should I look for after repairs are completed?  Question: This past weekend we purchased a 2005 Jayco Greyhawk 31ss during an rv show. We noticed that there was some discoloring around the main ac vent … AC Issue Using Auto Position  Question: I have a coleman mach 1 ac on top of RV.It cools fine but will not work in auto mod on wall thermostate.Some times it will kick on in auto … Carrier AC Trouble Lights Flashing  Question: My AC on my motorhome just stopped working. The green light on it flashes 5x over and over. Only the fan will run in fan mode 5th Wheel A/C Smells Like Mildew  Question: I have a 2012 5th wheel and the a/c started to smell like mildew by the second day of it running. It is driving me crazy because I can not … AC Units Come and Go  Question: I have a 2000 monarch with two ducted ac units. worked fine for years. now they will both quit at the same time and when they quit, i lose …

Rooftop AC Clicking When Using Furnace or AC  Question: When turning on either the air or the furnace there is a lot of clicking coming from the rooftop ac unit. It sounds like the relays are going … Carrier A/C Remote Quit  Question: HIThe remote for my 1999 Fleetwood 5th wheel Carrier hvac system quit working!!! Yes, I have replaced the batteries! Air Conditioner Not Starting After Running in RV Storage For a Month...  Question: I have a 2002 Winabago Sightseer RV. Today i just picked it up from storage (i left it there for 1 Month) and have seemed to have left it … My RV Roof A/C Smells Musty  Question: When my roof a/c comes on each time for a brief few moments it smells musty. What could be the problem? Robbie: You have a tray in the … No Air Conditioner, Compressor Sounds, No Fan  Question: I am camping in the grand canyon, no service person available. My air conditioner has stopped working. It sounds like the compressor is coming …