Still have Air Leak - Trying to decide if I need to cancel our trip.

C

chuck will

New member
Nov 18, 1997
479
0
0
If I am reading you right the air leak is noticably where the valve fits into
the block for the air bag. If this is the case, why not take the valve out and
put it back together with some of the teflon tape on the threads.

If this is not the case then the leak must be from the hose or its connection.
If this is the case you can repair that too! A pair of crimp fittings from your
local hardware or home depot will take care of that in no time. I carry a
couple with me just in case I get a broken hose. Chuck

> I have been chasing an air leak(s) in my coach suspension system for about a
> month. I found one and fixed it. It was the drain valve at the tank. My
> coach has the air controls and compressor up front. I have found another
> small leak at the tank where the air line comes into the switch (solenoid
> valve). I have not fixed it yet - I have to disconnect the air line and two
> wires to the soleniod first.
>
> Tonight I decided that I would fill both air bags and shut off the valves on
> each side. This would isolate the bags and allow me to determine if the bags
> are OK. As I shut off one of the valves, I could feel air hitting my fingers
> as it came out of the valve stem so it looks like I cannot isolate the bags
> without replacing the valve.
>
> When I am on the road the compressor runs about every 15 to 20 seconds for
> about a 5 to 6 second burst. My wife and I are (were) planning a trip of
> about 1000 miles over 5 days starting on Friday evening.
>
> What are my chances? Should I cancel it?
>
> I have not had any luck finding anyone near me that can work on our coach..
>
> TW
>
> --
> Thomas P. Winslow
> 1977 GMC Coca-Cola TZE167V101893
> 1974/75 GMC Eleganza SE TZE064V101146
> 189 Hicks Creek Road, Troutman, NC 28166
> h704-528-5868 * f704-528-5868 * p704-878-1157
> E-Mail: winslow * tom_winslow
> Web Page: http://www.iredell.com http://www.iredell.com/gmc4sale.html
 
I have been chasing an air leak(s) in my coach suspension system for about a
month. I found one and fixed it. It was the drain valve at the tank. My
coach has the air controls and compressor up front. I have found another
small leak at the tank where the air line comes into the switch (solenoid
valve). I have not fixed it yet - I have to disconnect the air line and two
wires to the soleniod first.

Tonight I decided that I would fill both air bags and shut off the valves on
each side. This would isolate the bags and allow me to determine if the bags
are OK. As I shut off one of the valves, I could feel air hitting my fingers
as it came out of the valve stem so it looks like I cannot isolate the bags
without replacing the valve.

When I am on the road the compressor runs about every 15 to 20 seconds for
about a 5 to 6 second burst. My wife and I are (were) planning a trip of
about 1000 miles over 5 days starting on Friday evening.

What are my chances? Should I cancel it?

I have not had any luck finding anyone near me that can work on our coach..

TW

- --
Thomas P. Winslow
1977 GMC Coca-Cola TZE167V101893
1974/75 GMC Eleganza SE TZE064V101146
189 Hicks Creek Road, Troutman, NC 28166
h704-528-5868 * f704-528-5868 * p704-878-1157
E-Mail: winslow * tom_winslow
Web Page: http://www.iredell.com http://www.iredell.com/gmc4sale.html
 
Tom,

Shrader valves are notorious for leaking since they may loosen up.
Replace them and then put caps on them.

I have shut off valves on my bags but they are only to be used incase of
a sudden problem. I believe in finding the problem and fixing it, just as
you are trying to do.

On Wed, 18 Nov 1998 20:18:00 -0500 "Tom Winslow"

>I have been chasing an air leak(s) in my coach suspension system for
>about a
>month. I found one and fixed it. It was the drain valve at the tank.
>My
>coach has the air controls and compressor up front. I have found
>another
>small leak at the tank where the air line comes into the switch
>(solenoid
>valve). I have not fixed it yet - I have to disconnect the air line
>and two
>wires to the soleniod first.
>
>Tonight I decided that I would fill both air bags and shut off the
>valves on
>each side. This would isolate the bags and allow me to determine if
>the bags
>are OK. As I shut off one of the valves, I could feel air hitting my
>fingers
>as it came out of the valve stem so it looks like I cannot isolate the
>bags
>without replacing the valve.
>
>When I am on the road the compressor runs about every 15 to 20 seconds
>for
>about a 5 to 6 second burst. My wife and I are (were) planning a trip
>of
>about 1000 miles over 5 days starting on Friday evening.
>
>What are my chances? Should I cancel it?
>
>I have not had any luck finding anyone near me that can work on our
>coach..
>
>TW
>
>
>--
>Thomas P. Winslow
>1977 GMC Coca-Cola TZE167V101893
>1974/75 GMC Eleganza SE TZE064V101146
>189 Hicks Creek Road, Troutman, NC 28166
>h704-528-5868 * f704-528-5868 * p704-878-1157
>E-Mail: winslow * tom_winslow
>Web Page: http://www.iredell.com
>http://www.iredell.com/gmc4sale.html
>
>
>

Dave Greenberg
GMC Motorhome Registry
200 MacFarlane Dr PH4
Delray Beach, FL 33483-6829
 
Word of warning here, you should never use teflon tape on your air
system threads. The tape can and will get into your air system and can
cause the solenoids to leak and not seal right. Only use a teflon type
thread paste as a thread sealer. The company that I work for has banned
it's use globally bedcause of that problem.
 
Tom,

Go on your trip! I lost my right rear air source last weekend in the
mountains of new Mexico. I was 4 inches off the ground. After five
hours of scraping and praying I got to Silver City. Went to Big A and
bought an adapter and a tank valve part #9-1829. Total cost $2.00.
Installation time 5 minutes. Aired it up and then drove 7 hours home.
Still holding 5 days later.
Walter Drew 76 Royale
 
I also banned teflon tape at mu company for the same reasons. I had a
meeting on day and collected every roll of teflon tape in the place and
gave them each 2 tubes of Loctite 567, one to take home and one for
their toolbox at work!

John, '76 Palm Beach, Omaha, NE

>
> Word of warning here, you should never use teflon tape on your air
> system threads. The tape can and will get into your air system and can
> cause the solenoids to leak and not seal right. Only use a teflon type
> thread paste as a thread sealer. The company that I work for has banned
> it's use globally bedcause of that problem.
 
Thanks guys... that's something I did not know ( or rather something else I
didn't know :-)

Been using teflon tape all around but careful to not have any on first
thread.
Change of habit coming up...

Is the Loctite 567 a good alternative? for the airfittings, etc?

Thanks again. One more for the list and Patrick.

Heinz
'76 Transmode

>gave them each 2 tubes of Loctite 567, one to take home and one for
>their toolbox at work!
>
 
Having heard the warnings about teflon tape, I used the paste when
assembling the Cinnebar air suspension upgrade kit fittings.

I had a tough time getting things to seal, though, and ended up re-doing a
number of joints to really glob it on (except for the first thread.) That
did the trick except for one joint, which I finally had to seal with the
tape. Probably just my inexperience with the paste... but I wonder if the
paste has to set up before it seals.

>I also banned teflon tape at mu company for the same reasons. I had a
>meeting on day and collected every roll of teflon tape in the place and
>gave them each 2 tubes of Loctite 567, one to take home and one for
>their toolbox at work!
>
>
>John, '76 Palm Beach, Omaha, NE
>
>

>>
>> Word of warning here, you should never use teflon tape on your air
>> system threads. The tape can and will get into your air system and can
>> cause the solenoids to leak and not seal right. Only use a teflon type
>> thread paste as a thread sealer. The company that I work for has banned
>> it's use globally bedcause of that problem.
>
>
 
Loctite 567 is the best that I have seen so far. I used it on all the
connections to my air tank and not a leak in sight now.

>Thanks guys... that's something I did not know ( or rather something else I
>didn't know :-)
>
>Been using teflon tape all around but careful to not have any on first
>thread.
>Change of habit coming up...
>
>Is the Loctite 567 a good alternative? for the airfittings, etc?
>
>Thanks again. One more for the list and Patrick.
>
>Heinz
>'76 Transmode
>
>
>
>
>>gave them each 2 tubes of Loctite 567, one to take home and one for
>>their toolbox at work!
>>
>
>
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
>
> Thanks guys... that's something I did not know ( or rather something else I
> didn't know :-)
>
> Been using teflon tape all around but careful to not have any on first
> thread.
> Change of habit coming up...
>
> Is the Loctite 567 a good alternative? for the airfittings, etc?
>
> Thanks again. One more for the list and Patrick.
>
> Heinz
> '76 Transmode
>
> >gave them each 2 tubes of Loctite 567, one to take home and one for
> >their toolbox at work!
> >
Use locktite 242, it is designed fot 1/4" tubing!
Jack
77 Kingsley
Novi, Mi.
 
I am going to replace the cutoff valve at the rear airbag. If the airbag is
OK this should hold for my trip. Now for the dumb question.

How do I stop the compressor from running? Do I have to disconnect the
wires?

TW

- --
Thomas P. Winslow
1977 GMC Coca-Cola TZE167V101893
1974/75 GMC Eleganza SE TZE064V101146
189 Hicks Creek Road, Troutman, NC 28166
h704-528-5868 * f704-528-5868 * p704-878-1157
E-Mail: winslow * tom_winslow
Web Page: http://www.iredell.com http://www.iredell.com/gmc4sale.html
 
If you take and push the center rocker to "HOLD" that should take care of it.
The "Auto" rocker is in accordance with directions only set for the first five
minutes to get the proper height. Since we are not worried about height. I
think if you leave it on the hold it should not come on. Chuck

> I am going to replace the cutoff valve at the rear airbag. If the airbag is
> OK this should hold for my trip. Now for the dumb question.
>
> How do I stop the compressor from running? Do I have to disconnect the
> wires?
>
> TW
>
> --
> Thomas P. Winslow
> 1977 GMC Coca-Cola TZE167V101893
> 1974/75 GMC Eleganza SE TZE064V101146
> 189 Hicks Creek Road, Troutman, NC 28166
> h704-528-5868 * f704-528-5868 * p704-878-1157
> E-Mail: winslow * tom_winslow
> Web Page: http://www.iredell.com http://www.iredell.com/gmc4sale.html
 
Justin where did you purchase the color coded air lines and how much?

>In a message dated 11/18/98 8:33:21 PM Central Standard Time, Adohen
>writes:
>
>
> Hi Tom Winslow ,
> This might not be your problem but since I removed my coach from the
> frame I have the opportunity to view things from a different perspective. I
> found that some of my air lines had actually become squashed from the
> compression of the old rubber along the side frame rails. I'm >>
>Good Idea to replace lines. Classico in Orlando 'manhandled' one of my lines
>and when I got about 50 miles away, the bag went flat because they had broken
>the old line. When I got home I replaced all the lines. Not expensive at
>all. Color coded and can be done one at a time. If you haven't done so, it's
>time to get rid of those 20-25 year old air lines and replace.
>Justin 77 PB
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
Tom,
The way I read Justin's email, he didn't use color coded lines, but the
existing ones are. My plan is to use color shrink wrap tube(available
at a local music store - probably at any good electronics store) on the
ends of the air lines to maintain the color code.

Patrick

>
> Justin where did you purchase the color coded air lines and how much?
>

> >When I got home I replaced all the lines. Not expensive at
> >all. Color coded and can be done one at a time. If you haven't done
> >so, it's time to get rid of those 20-25 year old air lines and
> >replace.
> >Justin 77 PB

- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailto:patri63

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