How to seal a leaky M109 Van

[Mark3395]

As is so common, my 109 shows signs of water intrusion into the van box and damage to the floor. The manuals don't address repairs to fix these problems and search doesn't find the topic, so here goes.

1. What are the common points of water entry, and how do you solve them?
2. How do you repair the bottom edges of the metal walls, and replace damaged floor?

Is there a Depot procedure of manual that covers this problem, and if so where do we find it? I see nothing in Resources.

I need to get to work on a couple vans but don't know where to start.

Thanks in advance.

Mark

 

[wsucougarx]

Points of entry: Any metal to metal joint, windows, just about any hole in the sheet metal. Water does not discrimate
Depending on how badly damaged, pitted or cancerous the metal walls are. I'd start w/a wire brush, depending on the rust I'd do a rust converter or use a rust stopping primer. If pitted, I'd probably be using bondo, sheet metal repair or some medium to restore the looks

 

[TACTICAL6]

I used some ruberized roof cement to seal some of the holes I had in my roof and other seams that I noticed were taking on water. I also used POR-15 to seal some rusty areas that I could not cut out. So far my leaks have stopped.

 

[papercu]

Well first there are no permanent fixes. If you drive the truck viberation will loosen it back up in time.
For repair just think of it as a metal shed, you will need to replace loose rivets and seal all joints. Tear out and replace all rotten wood. The walls are honeycomb and you may not find the correct replacement so just remove it and use foam board. Wayne

 

[Recovry4x4]

Greengator completely gutted the innards of his to redo it. He has a thread started somewhere.

Here, I searched for you!
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce-modification-hot-rodding/27204-m109-camper-build.html

 

[ida34]

I used RV rubber seam cement to seal up my M146. I sealed all seams and covered all rivets. No problems at all with water now.

 

[m109guy]

I patched the holes with sheet metal, clear rv sealant over the sheet metal patches, then covered the roof with a line-x style truck bed coating. It completely sealed all the seams and cracks in the roof. No way for it to leak now. It is also paintable, so when I paint my truck this week, it won't show.

 

[gunboy1656]

We had an S250 that got punctured by a camo net pole and we sealed it with silicone. it never leaked.

yes that little light pole left a nice sized hole.

 

[docfarmall]

i am gonna rinno line mine never mess with it again

 

[DUG]

In sunny CA how would I even know if mine is leaking?

 

[Sumoman]

In sunny CA how would I even know if mine is leaking?

18 cases of beer, one ladder and 12 of your closest friends

 

[grounded]

 

[gunboy1656]

In sunny CA how would I even know if mine is leaking?

Well put a snorkel on the truck, some scuba gear for you. And go drive in the ocean, but you gotta find someone baked out of their mind.

Have them sit in the bed with an underwater camera, and film where the water comes in at. Make sure they know they gotta be quick.

 

[Green_gator]

Lets see, you remove all the interior sheets, rip out the insulation, rip out the wiring, grind out all the rusty spots, weld new steel, seal the seams, prime the exterior and interior of the outer box....... Oh yeah, do not plan on driving it for a while. Hope to have mine back on the road in the next weekend or two. It has been a long time.

 

[Chevytruck]

In sunny CA how would I even know if mine is leaking?

have fun with a firehose

 

[DUG]

18 cases of beer, one ladder and 12 of your closest friends

If I had 12 of my friends over it would take a lot more than 18 cases of beer!

 

[DUG]

Well put a snorkel on the truck, some scuba gear for you. And go drive in the ocean, but you gotta find someone baked out of their mind.

Have them sit in the bed with an underwater camera, and film where the water comes in at. Make sure they know they gotta be quick.

I'll give that a try if my EUC ever clears.......