air leak??

[Melorene]

I have a 34' 08 coach and at the right front behind the tire connected to the frame is a device with an arm hanging down which is part of the air ride system I think.. when I park the rig, I hear air coming from that device.. when at Cummins, they said it needed replace but didn't have access to the part. is this normal or does it have a faulty leak. If faulty, does anyone know where I can get the part replaced? thanks, Mel

[wb7auk]

What ever chassis you have will have the information call them.

[Melorene]

Its a Peak Chassis but Western Rv is now out of business and made the Chassis

[Steve Ownby]

Mel,

That sounds like a ride height valve. A Freightliner dealer should have them.

[Melorene]

I believe you are right.. will call them tomorrow..thanks. Mel

[Old Scout]

Dont think you will have a problem replacing the leveling valve. This type of system appears to be std equip on many air-ride trucks so the related parts were not WRV specific. Would like to hear more about the "leak." Depending on weight shifts [ie exiting the coach] these valves will tend to dump some air. You also have a regular dump valve in that same area that can develop a leak over time as well. Particles of dirt can get in either the dump or leveling valves and cause then to leak--generally speaking the compressor will keep up with a small leaking going down the road, and you dont care when you are parked and the bags are dumped, so the only time a small leak will impact is when you have the coach in storage and one or more of the bags go flat--not necessarily a big deal. Guess I understand that Cummins [other than a former Coach Care Facility] wouldnt have access to common truck chassis parts--but it bothers me when otherwise "qualified" techicians are clueless about how to pursue common replacement parts--either they really dont know or they dont care!

PS--several newer Alpine owners have experienced problems with the regulator sticking on the engine compressor--end result is continuously high air pressure which can lead to premature leaks thru-out the compressed air system. Your coach is pretty new for one of the aforementined valves to have failed already.

[Algoma]

This is the replacement for the original HCV on early coaches. Can't guarantee yours are the same.
Haldex-Midland Air Height Control Leveling Valve - 90054007

It is normal for these valves to dump air if you are not parked perfectly level. I replaced mine but my coach is 10 years older than yours.

[kraig]

Yes it does have a faulty leak. You shouldn't here any air coming out when shut off.

I replaced the Left Front Ride HT valve and the part Haldex #90554945. Mine had a tag with a part # on it. Any Midland Haldex dealer should be able to locate it. They should be able come up with a part # for the opposite side. I got mine from Brake Systems Inc in Portland OR. 503 236 2116.

I think the problem with mine could have been a speck of dirt in an air line when the coach was built.

Mine had the small leak when I shut it off when I got it and was ok to drive it until I got it.

[JLMunsil]

If it only leaks for a few minutes and does not go flat it's doing it's job. If it keeps leaking, and over night, or after a couple of days sitting without the engine running, the bag goes flat, than you need a new one. My local Freight liner dealer had one.

[Melorene]

Thanks to all of you. am contacting Inland Truck in Missoula a few miles from my home .. they are a great shop and believe they can do the job.. what a great help you are.. Mel

[EngineerMike]

I routinely park the coach on unlevel ground, get out & hear one or more height control valves hissing for a short time. If it empties the one air bag then there is a problem, but if it only releases some air then stops it is simply doing its job and doesn't need any service.

[Old Trucker]

Originally Posted by Melorene

I have a 34' 08 coach and at the right front behind the tire connected to the frame is a device with an arm hanging down which is part of the air ride system I think.. when I park the rig, I hear air coming from that device.. when at Cummins, they said it needed replace but didn't have access to the part. is this normal or does it have a faulty leak. If faulty, does anyone know where I can get the part replaced? thanks, Mel

I have a 99 36 SDS. Mine does the same thing, but ONLY AFTER PARKING BREAK IS SET. If you reach behind the wheel and you will find that the air is coming from the exhaust port on the leveling valve. I replaced mine for an extreme price of $150.00 and does the same thing. I am a retired trucker. I have purchased many for my trucks over a period of years for $ 50.00. I would not spend my money. If a valve is bad it will leak other places, exhaust is normal. Old trucker

[kraig]

When mine was bad, when I shut it off, it would leak off so much I could see the left front of the coach much lower than the right side. Now it is basically level.

[Melorene]

I have the jacks down and leveled and now both front air bags are soft..