San Diego Guy - Bus Standing TALL

[msksann]

Hello Curt, I think that guy is me!

Sorry, I generally fall a couple weeks behind in my forum reading, and
then keep reading forward to catch up.

I did `repair' in place one of my Pressure Protection Valves. This one
in particular was for the front and drive axel airsprings, located in
the tightest and scariest location I have had to contort myself into,
(in front of the Tag and Drive axels, next to the air drier,
curbside). I could barely see and touch it with my fingertips, let
alone get it disconnected from the 8 air lines, 4 bolts, and
innumerable fittings. A job for a service pit perhaps?!
I removed the 4 screws that held the top on, and took out the
diaphragm, a spring, and a small metal `cap' that protected the
diaphragm from the spring. Pretty simple. The diaphragm was brittle
and cracked. My first thought was to order the replacement PPV, and
switch diaphragms. Unfortunately, the design had changed slightly, and
the new one used a smaller diaphragm. My next idea was to find a
larger piece of material for the diaphragm.

After many phone calls, I talked to a mobile mechanic that told me he
had used the diaphragm material out of a Par water pump rebuild kit,
to repair air pressure valves. He said that he felt it was important
to match the thickness of the material of the original, (.050) in my PPV.
I called a friend and sent him off to a RV store with his caliper,
sure enough he found it right away, a common rebuild part for the
Jabsco Par Pump. It had a bunch of screw holes in it, but enough flat
material to cut out and make 2 diaphragms for the PPV. I think it was
the JABSCO PAR DIAPHRAGM KIT 30015. $15 or so. I used a leather punch
to match the 4 holes that the screws pass thru. I also had to use 2
longer screws to carefully compress the spring, (I could only get one
hand at a time on it), until I could start 2 of the original screws,
then backed out the longer ones and replaced them with the last 2
originals.
The valve opens and closes in the 60 – 65 PSI range, and is still in
place. I have to say that I will replace that PPV when I get the Bird
to a place where I can get better access, not because I think my
repair will fail, (like the original, it might last for another 20
years), but because I still feel a twinge of uncertainty over the
suitability of the material.(???) I will be happy to replace it with
the new PPV, just for the little extra peace of mind.

Sorry for the delay, if there is any way I can be of further help
please call me at (619)972-7890

P.S. Beautiful job on your interior remodel! Also, thanks for the idea
of the coolant filter. When will I ever find enough time to get
everything done??!!

Michael Kramer
1986 PT-40 8v92
San Diego, Ca


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Curt Sprenger"
wrote:
>
> Someone in or near San Diego, CA, that participates on this forum and/or
> Randy's forum, repaired "in place" a 60 - 65 PSI Pressure Protection
Valve.
> Would that someone please speak up. I'd like to communicate with you. If
> anyone knows who that person is please let me know.
>
> --
> Curt Sprenger
> 1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
> Anaheim Hills, CA
>