I was thinking of just running some RTV around the seal where it meets
the inside of the cab. Wasn't sure if that might cause some other
issue, though. I'll probably just repeat the exercise on the second
exhauster, since I don't really want to do this again :-)
As for the "flaps," do you mean the metal(ish) louvers on the outside
component? Can't really tell -- are they supposed to open and close?
The FSM is pretty vague about their operation and it's difficult to see
the exterior component with the bed in the way... It did seem that it
was pretty noisy when I was driving the truck without any of the noise
dampening in the rear -- but I'm not sure that's any different than it
would have been when it was new with those components missing.
I did notice the foam inserts are pretty dirty (but dry) -- I'll
probably vacuum them out before I close everything up, just for grins.
Thanks,
-Bill
Bernd D. Ratsch wrote:
> You can silicone/RTV the outside "ring" to seal it up or the
> inside...whichever you like. Personally, I'd RTV the inside as the outside
> requires moving the bed (not an easy task just for some RTV).
>
> Are the flaps still working though?
>
> - Bernd
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bill Pitz [mailto:bill@pitz.net]
> Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2008 3:57 PM
> To: dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net
> Subject: DML: Leaking cab air exhauster
>
>
>
> Yesterday I got into my truck (2000 Club Cab) and smelled that
> disturbing odor that can only mean one thing: water leak.
>
> I immediately suspected the infamous third brake light, but ruled that
> out after opening it up and finding it to be completely dry. The area
> that previously filled with water from the leaky brake light was also dry.
>
> I eventually found that the insulation under the rear-seat storage tray
> was very wet.
>
>
> Last night I was looking through the FSM and saw the diagrams of the
> "cab air exhausters." These immediately looked suspect to me, based on
> their positioning, where the leak is occurring, and the volume of rain
> we've been receiving here recently.
>
> Today I ripped apart the back of the cab (whoever wrote in the FSM that
> you can remove that enormous under-seat storage tray without removing at
> least one of the rear trim quarter panels was a liar!) and got the tray out.
>
> Sure enough, one of the air exhausters has a damp trail of dirt leading
> down to the floor. Shaking it around a bit causes it to drip a bit more.
>
>
> Now for the actual question content... What the hell should I do here?
> Obviously the exhauster is leaking, but what's the best fix? Just get
> a new one from the dealer? I'm also not clear entirely how this little
> bugger fits together. There's a piece on the back of the cab, outside,
> and a corresponding piece inside the cab. Does the inside piece contain
> most of the likely problem components? As much as I love taking my
> truck apart :) I really don't feel like removing the bed to get full
> access to the rear of the cab where the outside component of the
> exhauster is.
>
> Your thoughts greatly appreciated....
>
>
>
> But hey, at least I found it. And at least the insulation under the
> tool tray soaked up the water so my carpet didn't get wet.
>
>
> -Bill
>
>
>
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