2010 Elddis Avante 540 Window Hinge

Colin Dav
Colin Dav Forum Participant Posts: 51
edited July 2020 in Caravans #1

Hi I have a 2010 Elddis Rambler 19/4 SE. This is a dealer special based on the 2010 Elddis Avante 540. It has a 3 section front window (1 large central and two smaller windows either side of the large one). The windows hinge from the top. 

During its service this year, the service engineer noted a high damp reading on the vertical between the larger window and one of the smaller ones.

The window hinge that all three windows hinge on is screwed to the front of the van These screws are starting to pull out and the sealant that seals the hinge from the van is pulling away. 

i intend to remove all the windows and the hinge, remove the sealant and reseal. The caravan engineer stated that it looks like the hinge has been sealed using a bedding mastic.

My question is, What sealant is it best to use for this. I am considering between 

a) mastic on a roll. 

B) Silkflex 331

C) Silkaflex 512.

I am told that the silkaflex product are very good but once stuck are very difficult to remove should the need arise. But at the same time would give excellent adhesion thus assisting the screws in holding the hinge tight to the body

Any advice / tips on what to use please.

Thanks in advance

Colin

Comments

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2020 #2

    Option 'C'

  • Colin Dav
    Colin Dav Forum Participant Posts: 51
    edited July 2020 #3

    Thanks for your reply Lornalou1. I was leaning towards Silkaflex 512 myself but have since been advised by a caravan repair workshop, that if they were carrying out the repair, they would use what Elddis would use. 

    The product is Teroson MS939. Has anybody else used this product?

  • MauriceG
    MauriceG Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited August 2020 #4

    Before you try to seal the "top window rail", (that is what it is known as "in the trade"), check very carefully for water ingress into woodwork lining the front of 'van, from the shelf up to the top rail. I suspect that the screws have become loose because the wood has started to rot, as happened to my 2 year old Avante 554. This showed up as damp around all the front windows on its second service, (between 40% and 50% on damp meter) and resulted in the WHOLE of the internal lining having to be replaced, (under warranty, nearly £3000 worth of work!!). If your 'van is still covered by the 10 year water ingress guarantee, put in a claim thro' your dealership. I am pretty good at D.I.Y., with a well equipped workshop, but It is a major task to do the full repair, not just a matter of adding some sealant, no matter how good it is.

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