Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: George Stoltz on December 04, 2010, 10:13:45 am

Title: Air leak up front -- need your advice
Post by: George Stoltz on December 04, 2010, 10:13:45 am
Symptoms:  HWH pump runs occasionally; more than it should. 
When the coach is parked, air can be heard existing somewhere under the front of the coach.
Coach is in middle Tennessee.  I am in northern Illinois.


When we get back to the coach on 12/26 I will have a very small window of time to try to fix this problem.  Lowe's and Home Depot and other resources are half an hour away.

I would like to buy whatever possible parts I might need BEFORE I get to Tennessee because anything from a big box store can be easily returned.

Given these circumstances, what would you recommend I buy in advance so that I can fix the problem in Tennessee?  Please be as specific as possible.  For example:  if you suggest a regulator(s) brand and whatever description you can give would be helpful.

By the way, I can raise the coach and use Gary Omel's roll-around dolly to lie on and access underneath the coach inside his pole barn.  I do have a spray bottle with soapy water and lots of tools.

Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: Air leak up front -- need your advice
Post by: Michelle on December 04, 2010, 10:52:44 am
Lowes.  Cobalt mini regulator with gauge.  $18.94  It's in with the air compressors and air tools.

(https://www.foreforums.com/imagecache.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.lowes.com%2Fproduct%2Fconverted%2F045564%2F045564616830lg.jpg&hash=9b1e354f4c7f93887f09a1d9d954189a" rel="cached" data-hash="9b1e354f4c7f93887f09a1d9d954189a" data-warn="External image, click here to view original" data-url="http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/045564/045564616830lg.jpg)

http://www.lowes.com/pd_221026-1126-KBA10700AV_0__?productId=1061251&Ntt=regulator&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dregulator (http://www.lowes.com/pd_221026-1126-KBA10700AV_0__?productId=1061251&Ntt=regulator&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dregulator)

Look for something similar between the front wheels - it's the regulator that keeps the front of the coach from airing up faster than the rear.  Steve's replaced ours 3 or 4 times.  Seems to coincidentally die an early death if we dump the air out of the coach and leave it that way for any period of time.

You'll want to set it to (I think) something like 60-65 psi.

I think the same model regulator is used for other things, like your step well cover and possibly the air step (if you have one).  I'm sure Barry knows if this is so.

HD has a similar item, but we've had good luck with the Lowes model (much better luck than with the ones from FT parts department, actually).

Here's the HD model, Husky 1/4 in. regulator with gauge, $20.98.

(https://www.foreforums.com/imagecache.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.homedepot.com%2Fcatalog%2FproductImages%2F300%2F62%2F625e4a2e-74f1-4957-bb2b-efd2f4c0a2d9_300.jpg&hash=412861701dd63c2514caa60516c3c3ac" rel="cached" data-hash="412861701dd63c2514caa60516c3c3ac" data-warn="External image, click here to view original" data-url="http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/300/62/625e4a2e-74f1-4957-bb2b-efd2f4c0a2d9_300.jpg)

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xgg/R-100019273/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 (http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xgg/R-100019273/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053)

Michelle
Title: Re: Air leak up front -- need your advice
Post by: Rudy on December 04, 2010, 10:59:06 am
George,

The best leak detector solution is children's bubble blowing soap in the toy department at Walmart and elsewhere.  Soapy water is a close second.

I would suspect a connection that will quit leaking when tighten up as the source but certainly not the only possibility.  So I would have my wrenches at the ready till I discovered a different source.

When working on the air system it is even more important to block the coach so there is no possibility it could collapse on you.

Happy Holidays!
Title: Re: Air leak up front -- need your advice
Post by: Barry Beam on December 04, 2010, 11:16:59 am
Lowes.  Cobalt mini regulator with gauge.  $18.94  It's in with the air compressors and air tools.

Look for something similar between the front wheels - it's the regulator that keeps the front of the coach from airing up faster than the rear.  Steve's replaced ours 3 or 4 times.  Seems to coincidentally die an early death if we dump the air out of the coach and leave it that way for any period of time.

You'll want to set it to (I think) something like 60-65 psi.

I think the same model regulator is used for other things, like your step well cover and possibly the air step (if you have one).  I'm sure Barry knows if this is so.
Michelle

It is the same regulator.
You might want to have teflon tape available and some quick disconnects.
Title: Re: Air leak up front -- need your advice
Post by: George Stoltz on December 04, 2010, 11:33:20 am
Thank you, Rudy.
 
I will get a small bottle of that.  And, if I ever get bored I can be found at a campground blowing bubbles.
Title: Re: Air leak up front -- need your advice
Post by: Peter & Beth on December 04, 2010, 11:56:59 am
Just for edification/clarification...Can anyone amplify on adjusting the air pressure regulator in the front of the coach (air suspension) if the coach suspension is "blocked-off"?  I would think that the suspension has to be at travel height/mode (green light at the leveling system pad) and the engine running to ensure proper air pressure delivery to the system.
 
I realize it's dangerous to get under the coach while the engine is running and in travel mode...but?????
Title: Re: Air leak up front -- need your advice
Post by: Barry Beam on December 04, 2010, 12:07:39 pm
Just for edification/clarification...Can anyone amplify on adjusting the air pressure regulator in the front of the coach (air suspension) if the coach suspension is "blocked-off"?  I would think that the suspension has to be at travel height/mode (green light at the leveling system pad) and the engine running to ensure proper air pressure delivery to the system.
 
I realize it's dangerous to get under the coach while the engine is running and in travel mode...but?????
Once your engine is running and air tank is full, you can turn engine off.
You do not need engine running to adjust regulator as the lines are now pressurized.
Title: Re: Air leak up front -- need your advice
Post by: George Hatfield on December 04, 2010, 12:34:32 pm
Here is a larger view of the area in front where one of these valves is located (2003 U295).  On my coach, there is also on located to the left of the generator (passenger side). 

Title: Re: Air leak up front -- need your advice
Post by: Dick S on December 04, 2010, 12:42:46 pm
Barry, Where do you get those quick disconnects and the tubing? Lowe's? Are you saying he may need to replace a disconnect fitting or add one the make it easier to install a new regulator?
Title: Re: Air leak up front -- need your advice
Post by: Barry Beam on December 04, 2010, 01:01:14 pm
Barry, Where do you get those quick disconnects and the tubing? Lowe's? Are you saying he may need to replace a disconnect fitting or add one the make it easier to install a new regulator?
I was saying if he has a bad connector he may want to have a spare.
The regulator should already have them on it.

Truck supply should have them.  8)
They are not cheap.  ???

Title: Re: Air leak up front -- need your advice
Post by: Bill Willett on December 04, 2010, 04:55:34 pm
George, your spray bottle and 50/50 soap and water works fine, any tubing and fitting's that need to be replaced must be DOT approved.