Community Forums

Sandy Swede · 04-09-2019, 10:58 AM

I am still getting used to our new to us ’05 Beaver Monterey. It has the 8-bag Roadmaster chassis with HWH air leveling. The rig is loosing air to the passenger front, dropping by approx 1” overnight and considerably more after 3 or 4 days relative to the other corners. Doesn’t seem to reach proper ride height either but it is driveable after airing up and the ‘Travel’ light is lit on the HWH pad.
Here is my question: Is the HWH air leveling system integrated with the air suspension? The tech is trying to chase down the air leak but is stymied by inability to find the lines believing them to be encased in the chassis structure somewhere and that air leveling and air suspension are different systems. I have a call into HWH but was given no idea as to when I will get a call back. Also sent an email to Paul Maddox (works for HWH) who monitors iRV2. I do have the operator's manual for the HWH 2000 series leveling system.
I appreciate any help which you offer.

CountryB · 04-09-2019, 11:07 AM

The HWH air leveling is a sort of "add on" feature to the standard air bag system. When the HWH is in Travel mode the air just flows through the (HWH Manifold) and the air bags are controlled by Ride Height Control (a.k.a. Leveling Valves).
When the HWH system is active, the RHC valves are by passed and the HWH manifold control the flow of air in/out of the airbags.

I can e-mail you the HWH Troubleshooting manual if you want. It's too big to attach to this post. PM me with your e-mail address if you want it. You can also download from he HWH website.

Sandy Swede · 04-09-2019, 11:12 AM

Thanks CountryB, very helpful.

Sandy Swede · 04-09-2019, 12:58 PM

I had a chance to view underneath the coach and could understand what the tech was saying about the air lines being inaccessible in places. You would have to remove some of the interior to get at various sections of them, I think. What have others done in situations like this? Run a bypass line? Cut the existing line and use that to pull a new line?

CountryB · 04-09-2019, 01:55 PM

It's unlikely the air line is bad (could be pinched but still unlikely). Tech should disconnect air line at Ride Height Control valve (inlet) and see if there is full air pressure there when in Travel Mode.

If not then check the air going into HWH manifold (travel manifold solenoid could be bad not letting air through). There is a manifold in the front for front suspension and one n the rear.

I had three bad solenoids on my coach. You can rest solenoids with ohmmeter (resistance is about 15 ohms through coil).

EDIT: Just rereading your first post - and I see you are trying to track down an air leak. Not really a problem with the Leveling function.

Air leaks can be tough to find - the slower the leak the harder to find. We generally spray soapy water on everything and look for bubbles. I find the "air leak soap" or "gas leak" spry solution works much better. it stays in place longer.
I have also used an ultrasonic detector (listen for leaks) moving the probe around the lines and valves. Those work pretty good too.

vito.a · 04-09-2019, 01:59 PM

A large percentage of the time (maybe 90%+) the leaks are in the air solenoid valves, or "6 packs". They need new o-rings installed both inside the solenoid and also where the air lines insert into the solenoid.

You need to get the coach up in the air because after you locate the leaks you need to bleed the air down to work on the solenoids. If you do not have a lift, build some ramps from 2" X 12" boards stair stepped together.

Someone also posted a link to a leak detector spray product on Amazon that is superior at finding leaks.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001B00LOS...v_ov_lig_dp_it

This process takes lots of time and patience and very few shops have either. HWH will work on your system if you are near Iowa or Paul Maddox.

A good way to start would be to search this section and the Roadmaster section and pre-purchase the o-rings needed. Mike Canter suggests you use Dupont Viton orings. The internal oring is a -019 size, the large one on the bottom is a -028 and the small one on the bottom is a -015.

Then remove the 6-pack valves in both front and rear and rebuild them. Label all wires and air lines. It will help to have a special "pin wrench" tool and cannon plug pliers to get the valves apart.

Here are some links to get you started:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/air-...em-160935.html

You Tube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChLo7eTBRdE

Hope this helps.

hypoxia · 04-09-2019, 02:41 PM

I would like to get one of these solenoid tools but can't find any available currently. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007PCOBCE..._-TgNBbHXBBKW6

vito.a · 04-09-2019, 03:47 PM

I found two different styles:
https://www.nitrousoutlet.com/specia...-wrenches.html

https://discountcoffeeequipment.com/...SABEgIEq_D_BwE

I ordered two of the smaller Newco style from the Discount Coffee. The tool is $4.20 and shipping is $16. Oh well!

hypoxia · 04-09-2019, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vito.a

I found two different styles:
https://www.nitrousoutlet.com/specia...-wrenches.html

https://discountcoffeeequipment.com/...SABEgIEq_D_BwE

I ordered two of the smaller Newco style from the Discount Coffee. The tool is $4.20 and shipping is $16. Oh well!

Thanks Vito, I also see that Valid has them Part# VTL01T001 in their service manual. I manufactured one by drilling two holes in a nut and used drill bits as the pins. I used the non drilling end. It worked good but the real tool should be better.
http://beaveramb.org/wp-content/uplo...ice_Manual.pdf

CountryB · 04-09-2019, 05:10 PM

I just used a pair of channel lock pliers. No problem. The solenoids are not screwed in that tight.

veraken · 04-10-2019, 05:51 AM

"Also sent an email to Paul Maddox (works for HWH)"

Paul's phone number is 602-549-3638. He is a Commercial Member and has posted that his phone is always on, and if not answered, leave a message.

hypoxia · 04-10-2019, 07:08 AM

I replaced the 4 front airbags a few days ago and the system pressure stayed up better than it has in a long time. I sprayed the bags a while back but didn't get any bubbles. A couple of weeks ago I was under there to take generator covers off and it was leaking enough for me to hear it.

photopilot · 04-10-2019, 07:52 AM

I’d check the airbags, too. Your coach is about the same age as mine, and I just replaced all 8 because I had a leak in one and the rest didn’t look that good. Not a fun job, but doable if you’re an average mechanic and have the right tools. After doing the leaky one and checking the others, I did the remaining 7 in one long day because I got so dirty I didn’t want to do it a second day. Some were easier than others depending on access.

Walt

Sandy Swede · 04-10-2019, 12:40 PM

Thanks hypoxia and photopilot. All 8 airbags and shocks were replaced two years ago. It's possible that one got stabbed recently, but soapy spray did not reveal any leaks.