Water dripping from heater.

While checking the van over a couple of weeks ago,I found water dripping from each corner of the heater. I checked round to make sure all covers etc were in place, but could find nothing amiss. Does any one have any ideas on where to look for the problem . This is our first couch built van, so all is new to us. I am also concerned about what the water might be doing to the internals of the heater. Any ideas please.
 John

If you did not drain the heater for the winter it could be frost damage which is expensive.  it may possibly be a leak from where the pipes are connected but if not then the heater itself is suspect.

You don't say so we will assume its is the Truma Ultrastore water heater. You don't say where the heater is (they are fitted in many different places) or whether the leak is apparent from outside or inside of the van.

Could you describe the heater, where it is, the nature of the leak and, if possible, post some pictures to put it all in context.

Peter

Hi,

Sorry for the lack info, The heater is a Truma ultrastore situated between the toilet cubicle and offside settee under the wardrobe. Having thought a bit more about the leak ,it only seems to  occur during wet and windy weather.  The offside of the van where the vents are positioned faces west. I fully drained the van in november and drove it around for a while with taps and drains open, so i do not think that freezing would be the problem. The water drips from each lower corner of the heater casing.During the course of the night the leak would probably fill an egg cup.
John.

Is the water from the heater under the wardrobe or the flue on the outside?

Peter

Hi Peter,
The heater is a Trumatic S 3002. which is the convection part of the heating system. The water is coming from the bottom of the convection unit very close to the floor. I have just been on to the top of the van to check the flue cowl, and I think with all the horizontal rain that we have had lately , the rain could have blown in through the  vents . But I have never read of this happening to any one else, and I guess if that was the case, water would enter while I was driving.
John

Hi John

I had exactly the same with my 2005 Inca and never bottomed the cause.  The combustion chamber of the fire is completely sealed from the inside of the van with an air intake pipe under the floor and the flue on the roof so even if water goes sideways into the flue there is no way out of the combustion chamber.

All I could think of was that wind driven rain was penetrating the seal of the flue pipe as it passes through the roof and running down the outside of the flue pipe and dripping off the bottom then (depending on the level of the van) running out under the fire case.

If you do want to investigate the next step would be to remove the box around the flue pipe in the corner of the wardrobe and look for signs of water having run down, maybe spraying water at the seal on the roof but not with a high pressure jet as you will damage the seal.

Peter

I will do as you suggest Peter, and remove the flue boxing in the wardrobe for any sign of water, and work on from there.
Many thanks for your help and time Peter. will let you know how it goes.
John.

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A link to a relevant later thread.

Peter

Thanks for the link Peter. 
i have done as you advised, and removed the boxing from around the flue pipe, but found everything nice and dry.So before I get into a ripping out mood I will  reseal around the flue  anyway and see how it goes. 
Regards,
 John