How do you Tighten These?

[robert sailor]

I've got a small leak coming from an opening port because one of the latches does not cam tightly against the plexiglass. Does any one know the proper way to adjust these tighter??? Thanks, Robert.

[SVTatia]

The cause of the leak is due to the rubber gasket being compressed past its sealing capacity. It requires a new gasket.

[a64pilot]

You can temporarily put a shim between the toggle and the non moving part of the latch, but it's Mickey Mouse and temporary until you can get gaskets

[Rubikoop]

Some times a finger full of silicon grease spread around the gasket will work for awhile too.


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[SVTatia]

Check your gasket and see if it is a stock item here:

McMaster-Carr


Looks like the "please bring me" list is getting longer for your visitors....

[Cotemar]

Clean the seals of any salt and spray the window to see where its leaking.
If it still leaks with clean seals then replace them.
If the cams are worn, then replace the cams.

[fjwiley1]

Cotemar has provided the best solution.......better to do it right the first time.........

Life is good if you Keepa Smilin.........




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[svHannabel]

Sounds you're in need of a new gasket, as others have noted. However, those ports can also develop a leak coming through the latch if the small o-ring inside is worn. We replaced all of ours this summer for less than $1.00 and found it to be one of the easiest leaks we've ever conquered!

[robert sailor]

Thanks fellows, the gasket is ok, at least it has been and I keep it clean with a touch of Vaseline but one of the latches is way looser than the others and that is where its leaking. I need to tighten the space between the latch and the plexiglass as its very loose, not a little, a lot. How are these installed to begin with? Is there a screw that can be tightened behind the round fitting on the front of the latch???

[Cotemar]

Their is a screw behind the grey round plastic cover. Remove that cover with a jewelers regular screw driver and tighten the screw.

[robert sailor]

I just received an email from another site that answered my question. You remove the center round fitting in the latch with a small screw driver and that will reveal an adjustment screw which can be tightened to take up any slack.

[fjwiley1]

Keep us posted of your results.......


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[Jim Cate]

If tightening the dog does not cure the leak, and the gasket seems to be OK, have a look at the horizontal gap between the upper and lower frame sections on the outside. This is sealed with some sort of elastomer sealant, and eventually it looses its grip and, despite looking ok, admits water. Check to see if it is still bonded on both sides of the gap.

The cure is pretty simple: using a razor blade or other thin and sharp edge, remove all the sealant that you can reach (from the outside). Be sure that the surfaces are clean and free of debris, then degrease with some acetone or similar solvent. I often use a feeler gauge to work the solvent into the crack. Then mask off the area carefully, just at the edge of the crack, followed by forcing Sikaflex 291 or similar sealant into the crack. Use as much pressure as you can to get the goo well into the crack. When you are happy with this, dress the seam with a finger dipped in turps, and then pull the tape before the goo sets up.

I was instructed in this procedure by a pro in the portlight and hatch refurb business, and have done it a number of times, all quite successful. Incidentally, the pro strongly advised against trying to replace the main gaskets. He said that even after years of practice he found it very difficult to get the new gasket (which is not something you can get at Clark Rubber etc, but a proprietary shape owned by Lewmar) to fit into the extrusion, so be warned!

Good luck with it!

Jim