Stranded in Georgia

[Roland Trombley]

Originally Posted by arcaguy

Roland, I'm no air system expert but I'm with you I wouldn't think it's the compressor. I'm thinking it is likely there is another restriction in an air line or some such thing. In my world 5 minutes is not enough time to properly diagnose any problem like you are having. BTW there used to be a pretty good BBQ restaurant in Valdosta called the Smokin Pig. Good luck.

Thanks for the tip.
We'll try the Smokin Pig.
🙂

[ga traveler]

I was a Rv service manager for 15 years. I never saw a compressor fail some times. They were a very few that bit the dust but it was complete failure not a sometimes it doesn’t work failure. I know you are at a bad place but there is a good mechanic out there somewhere that will find your problem. I just hope you find him soon. Good luck.

[mackwrench]

Originally Posted by Roland Trombley

Drove from north of Atlanta to Valdosta yesterday. Everything worked perfectly. Highway traffic, stop and go traffic. All went perfectly. Pressures moved between 90 and 125 as I drove, based upon brake usage.

Last night when trying to level the coach it was necessary to raise the left front wheel off the ground and I thought nothing of it. This morning I started up to head out to St Petersburg and could not get pressure over 75 pounds.

Been trying it through the day and now it won't go above 45.

Can't find a mobile service near here (Valdosta).

Called the only shop willing to look at it and the guy looked underneath for 5 minutes, no tools or anything, and said I need a new comoressor, so it must be towed 20 miles.

Can't understand how one day it pumps to 125 and the next day it won't, and the next day it will...

......now I'm even more suspicious of the dump valve. When you turned on the leveling system it dumped suspension. The valve is now stuck and won't allow the system to build up past the 75/80 psi it takes to air the suspension up..

[Mile Marker 42]

Originally Posted by mackwrench

......now I'm even more suspicious of the dump valve. When you turned on the leveling system it dumped suspension. The valve is now stuck and won't allow the system to build up past the 75/80 psi it takes to air the suspension up..

Very plausible.

[mackwrench]

OP.....pm sent

[Roland Trombley]

Can someone remind me where I should look for the dump valve?
Is it one of the 3 valves near the front axle?

[mackwrench]

Originally Posted by Roland Trombley

Can someone remind me where I should look for the dump valve?

Is it one of the 3 valves near the front axle?

Yes, on my 1999 it's just above the front axle have to crawl under to get to it, so be careful!..... it'll probably have 4 or 6 air lines and a electrical connection (some do some not)
I'll see if I have any pics.
It can be buy passed fairly simple, just a little tough to access.

[Roland Trombley]

I will check that first thing tomorrow.
Thank you again

[Roland Trombley]

As a quick test of the comoressor, if I pump the pressure on the gauges to Zero with the brakes, and crack the fitting where the air enters the dryer from the compressor(engine off), should there be any residual air pressure at that point? If there is pressure there but not on the gauges would that indicate a blockage somewhere?

[mackwrench]

Originally Posted by Roland Trombley

As a quick test of the comoressor, if I pump the pressure on the gauges to Zero with the brakes, and crack the fitting where the air enters the dryer from the compressor(engine off), should there be any residual air pressure at that point? If there is pressure there but not on the gauges would that indicate a blockage somewhere?

No, doubtful any real pressure is at the discharge line....you may feel air coming out but not able to build pressure until tank pressure drops enough for governor to allow unloader valve to close.... the dash gauges get pressure readings from the primary and secondary tanks.
The tech in Atlanta tied the two tanks together, so both gauge needle should be at same psi....

Sad to say, but I seen over the years that mechanics that don't fully understand how air supply system works always seem to just blame the compressor. Which is silly as it's the hardest component to replace!

The thing has been working from north ATL to Valdosta and once you used coach leveling system it quit building up to full psi...

if it's me, I'm zeroed in on things that control suspension....

On my coach, after a week or so of not starting, the air tanks and suspension will all leak off.....I start engine and it'll build right up to about 80 psi before the suspension starts to raise to ride height....

[mackwrench]

Here's dump valve....yours MIGHT be mounted on firewall just above generator....open the front drop down hatch and see if it's there....

[Roland Trombley]

I think I have seen that on the fire wall. In the morning I will check that next.
I'm appreciative of your help

[96 Wideglide]

There may be an issue with the unloader valve, but there's no way you need a whole new compressor!

[mackwrench]

Originally Posted by Roland Trombley

I think I have seen that on the fire wall. In the morning I will check that next.
I'm appreciative of your help

That's good news, the short blue line on left in pic is the exhaust port, when suspension is "dumped" that's where the air exits.
Start engine, place finger over the open end to check for leak... remember it needs to have over 75 psi to open the pressure regulator that supplies air to this valve...so it may not leak until then.

If so I think you might just be able to remove the fitting and put a pipe plug in it. You'll lose the dump ability, and leveling system may act up, but it'll get home....

The blue line on the right side is supply from the air tanks....you can take it off, fold it over in a "crimp" if you will, and see if system will build up air pressure...... however suspension will not air up.

If this is case, you can remove valve from firewall, remove the brass fitting at bottom (one with all the other lines) and plumb the supply line in it's place.

Lol, hopefully you understand this, he'll I've read it twice and ain't sure I'm getting the point across, haha...