Community Forums

Lexi · 05-02-2015, 04:22 PM

We have most recently experienced a low air reading on the front air gage and it reaches a max. of 65-70 PSI. There has been no trouble with the brakes working, nor with the leveling system. We have consulted with several dealers and individuals and they believe there may be water in the system that needs to be drained. Of course, there could also be an air leak in the front system.

Naturally, this happens on a weekend and very few dealers are open to consult with. The dealer we talked to, for Freightliner products, stated that no one in Albuquerque is certified to work on a Spartan chassis. We would need to go to Denver to get serviced and he thought it would be safe to drive to do so. He also thought the problem could be water in the system and we should be able to drain it.

Two questions: Is it safe to drive to Denver from Albuquerque to get the system serviced? Where do we find the valves to drain the air system?

Coach is serviced annually at Spartan Motors, Charlotte MI and I believe this should have been checked at that time.

We would appreciate input regarding our low air issue.

Thanks, Jerry

twinboat · 05-02-2015, 06:42 PM

At 70 lbs, your front brakes will work at 50%. I do not consider that safe.

Go to any truck repair shop, they should be able to diagnoss your problem.

It sounds like, something with your suspension leaking, seeing as it pumps up to 65 lbs, before starting to leak.

Water can affect operations of the valves, but draining it is not going to make it safe to drive.

Before air dryers, we used to pour alcohol into the system, after draining the water and oil from the tanks.

Ray,IN · 05-02-2015, 06:48 PM

New Mexico Spartan service centers: Service Centers
How long since the air dryer filter has been replaced? Spartan says every 2-3 years. Meritor Systemsaver maintenance manual pdf
When we bought our MH, we had everything serviced and all filters changed to establish a base-line. A year later the air system began acting up. I crawled underneath and saw the air dryer filter was very dirty-obviously never changed. Installed a new one and the air system began functioning normally.
Your Spartan chassis owners manual tells how and when to manually drain the air tanks, even if you have automatic drain valves.
I hope you don't have water in your air system. If water enters the brake air chambers they must be replaced according to their literature.
A shade-tree method of determining if you have an air leak; have someone else start the engine while you are outside near the front wheels, wait for the purge valve to sound or your front pressure gauge to stop moving. Immediately stop the engine while you listen for an air leak.
It's possible this is as simple as a faulty gauge.

DD788Snipe · 05-06-2015, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexi

We have most recently experienced a low air reading on the front air gage and it reaches a max. of 65-70 PSI. There has been no trouble with the brakes working, nor with the leveling system. We have consulted with several dealers and individuals and they believe there may be water in the system that needs to be drained. Of course, there could also be an air leak in the front system.

Naturally, this happens on a weekend and very few dealers are open to consult with. The dealer we talked to, for Freightliner products, stated that no one in Albuquerque is certified to work on a Spartan chassis. We would need to go to Denver to get serviced and he thought it would be safe to drive to do so. He also thought the problem could be water in the system and we should be able to drain it.

Two questions: Is it safe to drive to Denver from Albuquerque to get the system serviced? Where do we find the valves to drain the air system?

Coach is serviced annually at Spartan Motors, Charlotte MI and I believe this should have been checked at that time.

We would appreciate input regarding our low air issue.

Thanks, Jerry

Ok I have a Spartan Mountian Master chassis. Spartan used Stewart Warner electric sending units. I have changed out 4 of them since I bought this rig in 2013. They are junk. I talked to Customer service @ Spartan about warranting one that I purchased @ $84.00 and was told that they nolonger use that unit (Spartan pt#0195-GG3-009). Summit Racing, www.SummitRacing.com carries the same part and they can ship them to you. The Part # is SWW-82894. They're $56.72. I am on the list at Spartan for the new type of sending unit that I was told they were changing to when they get some in. They are easy to change. Look at the firewall in front on the left side. They are attached to the brake trundel just under the floor. There are 2 of them and they unscrew and unplug. I "T"d 2 manual analog gauges in at that point so that I can check to see if the air pressure matches the the gauges at the dash. My money is on the bad sending units. You can change them yourself. All it takes is a 7/16" open end wench and about 10 minutes. Besure to drain the complete air system with the lanyards on your tanks. I'd love to tell you my horror story but it would take too long. Suffice it to say I've been where your at.

deandec · 05-06-2015, 08:57 AM

To change the senders, you would have to drain the system of any air and hence water.

Draining water is your current goal.

There are most likely manual drain pulls at each wheel position to open a moisture drain. Spartan should know how they are arranged on your chassis. Call them.

DD788Snipe · 05-07-2015, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deandec

To change the senders, you would have to drain the system of any air and hence water.

Draining water is your current goal.

There are most likely manual drain pulls at each wheel position to open a moisture drain. Spartan should know how they are arranged on your chassis. Call them.

Look in the right front wheel well. There are 3 lanyards. Red, Green and silver or white. They have hoops at the end. Those operate the manual drains for the air system tanks. You'll need a rod to hook on to them. Use your window shade rod. It works perfect. Pull and hold until all air is expelled on each one of them. If you have moisture in you system you'll see it underneath the rig. Any truck repair place can service your filter/dryer. I would suggest if it hasn't been serviced in the last 2 to 3 years is it needs it done. When I bought my coach a year and a half ago I decided to do it myself (replace the desiccant/filter). I found it was the original still on the coach so it was around 7 years old and still functioning normal but this rig has always been in very dry climates. My money is still on bad sending units at the trundle peddle (brake peddle). BTW I spoke with a customer rep at Stewart Warner and they wouldn't even talk with me about those units so they know they have a problem.