Community Forums

duckboatking · 12-13-2020, 06:18 AM

Hi,
I parked my 2001 38’ Diplomat inside my garage for the winter a couple of weeks ago now, and I just noticed it is leaning hard to one side. The RH air bag are completely flat, and the LH still have air in them, so it’s leaned right over. I’ve owned it for 3 or 4 years now, and it does always loose air and lower down when parked, but it’s always seemed to be pretty level, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it like this. Just wondering if anyone knows what the cause might be ? I am assuming since it has not gone down lever there must be some sort of check valve somewhere in the system ? Otherwise as it slowly leaked air it should have gone down pretty level in my mind.
On a slightly different note, can anyone tell me the part number for the air bags ? It might be time to replace them since they are 20 years old now
Thanks
Michael

8.3Oilbuner · 12-13-2020, 11:31 AM

Hi Michael; Sounds like it's time to air up the suspension and get some soapy water in a spray bottle and start checking air fittings. Also might want to check the ride height valves to make sure they are not leaking. I do have some numbers for the suspension air bags. I am sure you have the 8 air bag suspension that is the same on my 01 Windsor. I think your air bags could be, Part#W01-358-9376. Could have a Monaco part#8619. Also should by style, 1T15L2. Go to www.trucksprings.com. You can look up some of these suspension air bags. Good info on that web site. My air bags are as old as yours and, FINGERS CROSSED, mine only have a few small checks in the outside rubber. I think if you go to Firestone's web site they have a chart on air bag condition. There is a chart out there with pictures of air bags in certain conditions showing if they should be replaced or not. Owners here have done it themselves, but does not look like a fun job. Hope this info helps and have a great holiday!

DiplomatDon · 12-14-2020, 03:13 PM

Hello Michael, I just sold my 2001 Diplomat 38PBD and the spring numbers are 6905 for the front and 9376 for the rear. I replaced the 4 on the passenger side and purchased from SD Truck Springs. Hope this helps and good luck, Don

Timaz · 12-14-2020, 03:43 PM

It could also be your sixpack valves need to have the O-rings replaced.

Tim

shootist · 12-14-2020, 07:07 PM

The rear bags are separate as to left and rt. Front are tied together. So look to the rt rear.

JRC Endeavor · 12-17-2020, 05:23 PM

I have a 2003 Holiday Rambler Endeavor which I've been told is the same chassis as a Monaco Diplomat. My coach is listing to the right overnight and I am pretty sure after replacing the leveling valve that I will need to get new rear air bags for the right side. Does anyone know what the Monaco part number would be for those air bags? I saw on this feed that a 2001 was part # W01-358-9376 but not sure if that carries over to 2003. Thanks.

Mile Marker 42 · 12-17-2020, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duckboatking

Hi,
I parked my 2001 38’ Diplomat inside my garage for the winter a couple of weeks ago now, and I just noticed it is leaning hard to one side. The RH air bag are completely flat, and the LH still have air in them, so it’s leaned right over. I’ve owned it for 3 or 4 years now, and it does always loose air and lower down when parked, but it’s always seemed to be pretty level, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it like this. Just wondering if anyone knows what the cause might be ? I am assuming since it has not gone down lever there must be some sort of check valve somewhere in the system ? Otherwise as it slowly leaked air it should have gone down pretty level in my mind.
On a slightly different note, can anyone tell me the part number for the air bags ? It might be time to replace them since they are 20 years old now
Thanks
Michael

Pretty common to have a small leak in the system. You can find it with a fully aired system and a spray bottle of water and soap. Source Engineering sells them: Source Engineering Inc | Custom RV Chassis | Eugene, OR

duckboatking · 02-15-2021, 06:36 AM

Hi,
I finally got under the bus with some soapy water and found a couple of leaks for sure. One is the fitting mounting on the frame, the splits the airline coming from the level ride valve to the 2 air bags, I call it a bulkhead fitting. It’s got a pretty good leak in it. The other is the valve coming out of the rear air tank, I can’t see any markings on it and was hoping someone might know more about it than me. It is coming right out of the air tank, and the air line tee’s off it into 2 lines, one for each side of the rear air bags / level ride valve. Anyone know what this valve might be ? I’m not sure I should tackle this job myself, not sure how hard it might be ?
Thanks
Michael

JohnCIrish · 02-15-2021, 04:04 PM

looks like a standard air pressure regulator.....and and adjustable one at that........

JRC Endeavor · 02-17-2021, 01:14 PM

I agree with Timaz on the 6 pack leaking. Not all units have them but they can definitely cause a lean issue. To find out if you have them you need to look underneath from front to back on the motor home for a unit that looks like a 6-pack of beer from a bird's eye view. It is 6 solenoids that control air to your airbags and if you spray them with soap and water while you're aired up they will bubble like crazy if they need an o-ring kit.

Bruce Anthon · 02-17-2021, 02:19 PM

The valve pictured is an air pressure regulator valve. Air ride systems are designed for 70# inlet to leveling valve pressure. On my previous coaches and trucks they were preset and not adjustable. You should be able to get a part number off of it when you remove it. Swapping the valve should be something you could handle.

duckboatking · 02-17-2021, 05:50 PM

Hi,
Thanks, best I can tell from looking around the internet as well is that the valve I see leaking may be a Wabco pressure protection valve, unfortunately I can’t see any numbers on it, but I can only see the one side of it while it’s installed. I think I may tackle the job myself, once I have it out I should be able to find some markings on it, atleast that’s the hope
Thanks
Michael

JRC Endeavor · 02-18-2021, 07:56 AM

FYI: Make sure you put bracing under your frame to hold it up safely before you let all the air out.

duckboatking · 02-18-2021, 06:08 PM

Hi,
Thanks, I have large blocks and plan on blocking it up good before I get under it. It’s one part of the job that makes me nervous, but I think I’ve got it.
I will check again for the 6 packs, but if they control the air to the air bags I don’t think I have them. The air comes out of the tank, through this valve that is leaking, and splits into 2 lines, one for each side of the bus. The line runs to the levelling valves, and then to the air bags. That’s it. I’ve read the levelling valves may have check valves / one way valves in them, and I do have a leak in the bulkhead fitting after the valves, so I think that might be the source of the un-even lowering as it leaks down on air
Thanks
Michael