I Sprung An Air Leak, Step Will Not Opperate...

[orbitalsolutions]

I pulled into a rest area and the Low Air light and buzzer came on.
I had 125 psi in both tanks. The air pressure still builds in both
tanks normally and the bus brakes just fine.

I pulled out and started to drive and the alarm shut off. Tanks
built pressure and all seemed fine. Sixty miles later I slowed down
to pull into an RV Park and the Low Air buzzer went off again.

When I stick my head under the front curb side wheel I can hear the
air leaking loudly and the step will not operate.

Strangly, my air horn has not worked for some time, not a big deal
to me, I was going to look into it at my convenience. But now with
the air leaking, the horns blow just fine -- LOL

I am going to wait out the afternoon heat before I start digging
into it so any advice anyone can give me will be appreciated as
always.

The leak is up front somewhere by the motor.

Thanks in advance.

James
78FC33SB
Winslow AZ (Where I plan to look at a huge Meteor Impact sight)

[dthollis1961]

James,

If the air leak is where you say it is, I'd check the spring-loaded
drain valves on the air tanks. You may have hit something on the
road and dislodged or damaged one of them Follow the wire pull-cord
at the rear of the FR wheelwell to the valve and give it a look.
The stem should be centered...if it's off to one side, it's in the
drain position. You have 3 tanks and 3 spring-loaded
valves. 'course it could be leaking out of anywhere.

Pry the horn button out with your fingernails and jam it back in.
As I recall, there are only 3 small washers that make contact from
the horn button to the steering wheel to complete the path to ground
when you push the horn button.

David Hollis Springfield,IL (working on my former bus)



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "orbitalsolutions"
wrote:
>
> I pulled into a rest area and the Low Air light and buzzer came
on.
> I had 125 psi in both tanks. The air pressure still builds in
both
> tanks normally and the bus brakes just fine.
>
> I pulled out and started to drive and the alarm shut off. Tanks
> built pressure and all seemed fine. Sixty miles later I slowed
down
> to pull into an RV Park and the Low Air buzzer went off again.
>
> When I stick my head under the front curb side wheel I can hear
the
> air leaking loudly and the step will not operate.
>
> Strangly, my air horn has not worked for some time, not a big deal
> to me, I was going to look into it at my convenience. But now
with
> the air leaking, the horns blow just fine -- LOL
>
> I am going to wait out the afternoon heat before I start digging
> into it so any advice anyone can give me will be appreciated as
> always.
>
> The leak is up front somewhere by the motor.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> James
> 78FC33SB
> Winslow AZ (Where I plan to look at a huge Meteor Impact sight)
>

[orbitalsolutions]

You are right on the money, as usual Dave.

The drain valve was open with stem centered. Looks like it died of
natural causes. Went up to the RV store here at Meteror Crater RV
Park looking for a replacement. They did not have it, but said they
could have it delivered in a few hours. It was here in about thirty
minutes. I asked no question, just said thanks.

Replaced the valve, built pressure and went outside to marvel at a
job well done. The smile was removed from my face when I heard the
same dreaded air leak whisteling away.

The line leading forward from the tank also had a leak. I believe
it's routing lead to it's demise, too much heat for too long a time
and it bubbled up and finally went pop.

Fortunately, I carry extra air line and couplers in the toad.

Repaired the damaged section, added insulation in the needed areas,
aired up, went outside for an examination, and heard the sweet sound
of silence!

The quick and positive motion of the step now leads me to think that
either the valve or hose had been weeping for a while. I suspect
the valve was working at less than 100% before the bottom finally
fell out of it. The step never deployed and retracted with such
athourity before. It now snaps back and forth quicker than a room
full of E Ones before a Major.

Thanks Dave.

Time for me to go see if I can find a space rock.


James
78FC33SB
Winslow AZ





--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dthollis1961"
wrote:
>
> James,
>
> If the air leak is where you say it is, I'd check the spring-
loaded
> drain valves on the air tanks. You may have hit something on the
> road and dislodged or damaged one of them Follow the wire pull-
cord
> at the rear of the FR wheelwell to the valve and give it a look.
> The stem should be centered...if it's off to one side, it's in the
> drain position. You have 3 tanks and 3 spring-loaded
> valves. 'course it could be leaking out of anywhere.
>
> Pry the horn button out with your fingernails and jam it back in.
> As I recall, there are only 3 small washers that make contact
from
> the horn button to the steering wheel to complete the path to
ground
> when you push the horn button.
>
> David Hollis Springfield,IL (working on my former bus)
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "orbitalsolutions"
> wrote:
> >
> > I pulled into a rest area and the Low Air light and buzzer came
> on.
> > I had 125 psi in both tanks. The air pressure still builds in
> both
> > tanks normally and the bus brakes just fine.
> >
> > I pulled out and started to drive and the alarm shut off. Tanks
> > built pressure and all seemed fine. Sixty miles later I slowed
> down
> > to pull into an RV Park and the Low Air buzzer went off again.
> >
> > When I stick my head under the front curb side wheel I can hear
> the
> > air leaking loudly and the step will not operate.
> >
> > Strangly, my air horn has not worked for some time, not a big
deal
> > to me, I was going to look into it at my convenience. But now
> with
> > the air leaking, the horns blow just fine -- LOL
> >
> > I am going to wait out the afternoon heat before I start digging
> > into it so any advice anyone can give me will be appreciated as
> > always.
> >
> > The leak is up front somewhere by the motor.
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
> >
> > James
> > 78FC33SB
> > Winslow AZ (Where I plan to look at a huge Meteor Impact sight)
> >
>