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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Paul Smith on August 10, 2011, 02:14:52 pm

Title: Lost Air in BOTH Tanks in Salem, OR
Post by: Paul Smith on August 10, 2011, 02:14:52 pm
I lost air as I pulled out of the Walmart parking lot. By the time I went less than 1/4 mile air was WAY down below 70. I was able to get back into the parking lot.  I parked and saw the air go up to 110 at idle like normal.  But when I pulled forward 6 feet it dropped fast with no foot on the service brakes.

A tech on the phone suggested governer problems.

Any ideas?  CoachNet is coming.

best, paul

Title: Re: Lost Air in BOTH Tanks in Salem, OR
Post by: Gary Bouland (RIP) on August 10, 2011, 03:18:04 pm
Paul, Govenor is a good guess.  It is mounted on the street side near the back.  It won't hurt to fool with it.  Take the rubber or plastic cover off it, with a screwdriver turn the screw Counter clockwise to INCREASE pressure cutoff and clockwise to reduce it.
This is just a guess that it will free it up.  I  ASSUME that you don't have any major air leaks.  On mine the popoff valve opn the wet tank in the rear fell off or was broken off, I lost all air quickly.  Road mechanic plugged threaded hole with a 3/8 pipe plug to get me off road.
Good luck
Gary B    770-595-3891
Title: Re: Lost Air in BOTH Tanks in Salem, OR
Post by: John Haygarth on August 10, 2011, 03:24:05 pm
Paul, I replaced mine last Nov as it was fluctuating wildly and found that the ait dryer had a valve problem and dessicant had gone thru and plugged the govenor. FT put a new one on ( $38) and I cleaned the old one out so have a spare !!. The dryer was serviced also
John
Title: Re: Lost Air in BOTH Tanks in Salem, OR
Post by: Dan Stansel on August 10, 2011, 03:26:53 pm
Just for future reference could someone take a picture of this governor so we would know in the future what it looks like.  Tks DAn
Title: Re: Lost Air in BOTH Tanks in Salem, OR
Post by: Paul Smith on August 10, 2011, 03:26:59 pm
Thanks! I've got a 1999 M-11 and I don't see anything street or curb side that makes me think governer.

best, paul
Quote
Paul, Govenor is a good guess. It is mounted on the street side near the back. It won't hurt to fool with it. Take the rubber or plastic cover off it, with a screwdriver turn the screw Counter clockwise to INCREASE pressure cutoff and clockwise to reduce it. This is just a guess that it will free it up. I ASSUME that you don't have any major air leaks. On mine the popoff valve opn the wet tank in the rear fell off or was broken off, I lost all air quickly. Road mechanic plugged threaded hole with a 3/8 pipe plug to get me off road. Good luck
Gary B  770-595-3891
Gary B
95 U280

Title: Re: Lost Air in BOTH Tanks in Salem, OR
Post by: Gary Bouland (RIP) on August 10, 2011, 03:34:03 pm
Paul. it looks like this.
Gary B

May be in vertical position
Title: Re: Lost Air in BOTH Tanks in Salem, OR
Post by: Paul Smith on August 10, 2011, 03:45:33 pm
I noticed that little item earlier. But in my day governers didn't look like THAT! ;o)

The repair guy sez it's the brake can - and he's replaced a lot of them lately ;o)

best, paul
Quote
Paul. it looks like this.
Gary B
<> This message has (1) images/files associated with it.
<
> To see them please follow this link: Lost Air in BOTH Tanks in Salem, OR (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=13354.msg73485#msg73485)

Quote
Gary B
95 U280

Title: Re: Lost Air in BOTH Tanks in Salem, OR
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on August 10, 2011, 03:50:58 pm
Another large possibility would be a problem with one of the parking chamber pods, when you release the parking brakes, it pressurizes the air chamber holding the parking brake spring back. or another pressurized air line.  The governor air sense line would not normally leak down that fast even if it were broke off, if it were the compressor would keep building pressure until the pop off release went off.
WHEN the parking brake is applied, all seems normal ?  only when you release the brakes, with the engine off, you should hear a lot of  air escaping, block wheels, and get out and listen when brake is released and air is leaking with engine off.  Simple
Title: Re: Lost Air in BOTH Tanks in Salem, OR
Post by: Gary Bouland (RIP) on August 10, 2011, 03:52:17 pm
Paul, If it is a CAN problem it probably is a BLOWN PANCAKE ( silly term ).  This is the rubber diaphragm inside the brake can.
S..... happens.
Good luck
Gary B
Title: Re: Lost Air in BOTH Tanks in Salem, OR
Post by: Paul Smith on August 10, 2011, 03:56:46 pm
The pod/can is apparently the problem. Air was still at 110. The tech had me release the parking brake and it went to 70 in seconds.

The tech has gone for one (or more).

best, paul
Quote
Another large possibility would be a problem with one of the parking chamber pods, when you release the parking brakes, it pressurizes the air chamber holding the parking brake spring back. or another pressurized air line. The governor air sense line would not normally leak down that fast even if it were broke off, if it were the compressor would keep building pressure until the pop off release went off. WHEN the parking brake is applied, all seems normal ? only when you release the brakes, with the engine off, you should hear a lot of air escaping, block wheels, and get out and listen when brake is released and air is leaking with engine off. Simple

Dave Metzger
2001 U320 36' #5903 XTREME FBP + Roof ISM 500
04 F150 w/2010 CanAm Ltd ATV (Blue Ox 10K) 2011 Honda CRV Maybe

Title: Re: Lost Air in BOTH Tanks in Salem, OR
Post by: Dave Head on August 10, 2011, 05:47:50 pm
Follow the air lines back from the air dryer...
Title: Re: Lost Air in BOTH Tanks in Salem, OR
Post by: Paul Smith on August 10, 2011, 08:55:06 pm
The problem WAS the pod. The second problem was its vintage: "30-24"

The test to prove the pod is at fault is as follows.
1. Air up.
2. Release parking brake. Air drops from110 to 70 in seconds here
3. Re-set brake
3. Get/repair pod

Bryan explained how it is possible to drive with brakes but no parking brakewith a bad pod. But I'm not sure I'd try it.

Bryan explained that you don't necessarily had to replace the entire pod. Just the diaphragm is all that's needed most times.

Btyan hadn't seen a 30-24 in 10 years. Current pods are "30-30" I got the last 30-24 in Salem, OR. I'll pickup another one somewhere.

This is a good guy: Bryan's Truck Repair, 503-510-0640 Salem OR

best, paul
Quote
Another large possibility would be a problem with one of the parking chamber pods, when you release the parking brakes, it pressurizes the air chamber holding the parking brake spring back. or another pressurized air line.