Nuevo EK 2006 - Swelling Above Mains Socket

Hello everyone!  I'm in a bit of a flap!  Today while preparing for our first longish holiday with our lovely new (to us) 2006 Nuevo I noticed this horrible swelling just above the mains power socket.  I recognise it as a sign of water ingress / egress and sure enough the old damp meter shot up to 60% but very localised to this area.  Happily the mains electrics are working.

I wonder can anyone can confirm what's likely caused this?  Has it simply been a case of old sealant failing and water getting in that top join or could it be anything worse i.e. a slow leak from a pipe that runs above that area etc.  The system had been sitting with water in for several weeks there, normally I drain down after a trip but last time I forgot! 

I unscrewed the socket from outside for a closer look but it wouldn't pull out more than a cm and so I put it back and resealed. The old seals seemed intact which is why I'm a bit worried it might be something else and getting a look from inside is nigh on impossible since it's under the wardrobe, beside the hot water tank. Feeling around, there don't seem to be any wet bits inside.

I hope someone can reassure or advise me before we set off.  I'm really concerned that it's a leak from inside and then will get worse with water on board on holiday, also as it's near the electric system I hope it will dry out ok.  Thanks for reading!    

I can’t help thinking that a leak wouldn’t form such a regular shape. We had similar and it was due to the slight bulge from a reinforcing board above a fitting. That doesn’t explain your damp reading though.

I suggest you keep an eye on it and test again later. Re-sealing might have done the trick.

Thank you Tinwheeler, I feel more reassured.  These vehicles are for enjoying, nothing for it but to seal up and crack on (and monitor)!  I'm no expert with the damp meter and it's a cheap one so perhaps it isn't even damp however I'm certain that bulge is new. 

There was a fair bit of plugging in and unplugging on the last trip, perhaps that cracked the seal round the plug but it's strange it's such a regular shape as you say, and above rather than around or below the fitting. Hmm. 

Such is life with a motorhome!

I seriously doubt the bulge is damp. I wouldn’t stress about it - at least, not at this stage. You’ve done the sensible thing by resealing so now watch and wait.

Sometimes we don't see things until the light catches them in a certain way.

I wonder whether the damp meter may have been reacting to metal in the hook-up point: either the flap hinge pin (which I expect will be metal), or the pins of the plug itself (behind the flap).

Read this previous thread point number 5.

https://www.autosleeper-ownersforum.com/t734-hi-fom-a-nuevo-owner#4420

The exterior socket on my Nuevo pulls out just far enough to unscrew the terminals. It reveals plenty of space for it to drain away downwards should any water find its way in despite the insulation in the cavity. Did you use enough force to pull out the socket ? I’d be surprised if it can’t come out. They are as easy as wiring a 13amp plug and I renewed mine easily. It would give you peace of mind if all is dry inside and the swelling could just be through stresses ?  Best wishes.

Thank you so much everyone, all very helpful.  This is such an excellent forum!  

The thread Paul's pointed me to indicates that it's a Nuevo 'thing' and yesterday my other half found a sales video of a similar age Nuevo with exactly the same bulge...annoying that it's probably damp but very good to know it's fixable!   Sunbeam,  thanks for the reassurance that it's possible to pull the socket out farther, it was very tight when I tried and with us about to set off I didn't want to cause further issues but when I have time I'll get inside there and let you all know how it goes.  

Adios Amigos and thank you again!