Installed a full set of O-rings on the front manifold (genuine HWH O-ring kit). Took about 2-1/2 hours.
I lowered the coach fully and emptied all the air tanks. I was just barely able to slide under, but had plenty of room once I squeezed in. Everything was in comfortable reaching position.
Had to unbolt manifold from its mounting due to interference from air tank and other stuff. I worry that having wiggled a lot of hoses, I may have created some new leaks. Time will tell.
Removing the valves proved to be much more difficult than expected. Had to use a pipe wrench and lot of muscle to break them loose.
Found all valves to have a white coating that looked like talcum powder. I assume it is from the unmaintained desiccant. It easily wiped off.
There was some corrosion/pitting of the manifold surfaces (aluminum). Used 400 and 800 grit sand paper to clean and polish all the surfaces.
Put it all back together and performed a bubble test. Showed no sign of leaks.
The coach is leveled and we wait to see what happens.
Jim
Did Gayle find a spot for all those coats? I bet you really need them in Nac this weekend! Lol
Jim,
UGH!
If they were that tight, someone must have gorilla-fisted them on, thinking that would stop leaks. That tight is not good for o-ring surfaces.
That fine white powder is the desiccant from an unmaintained air dryer - the big Haldex/Midland one, not the little aux compressor desiccant bowl! You would be well-advised to start checking that end of the system for a failed air dryer/powder everywhere. It could be the air dryer has since been replaced, but there could be more powder throughout the system that's going to continue to foul things.
Michelle
The corrosion on the manifold would make it difficult to remove the valves as the surfaces were rough, glad that you got it done and should make you a lot happier with the leveling
Thanks Michelle,
After the FOT guys finish the ZipDee install tomorrow (I hope), I'll check out the Haldex. I doubt that it has ever been serviced (then again, I never changed the one in my '96). Will report back on the results of my inspection.
Crap, another trip to FOT parts desk.
Jim
Jim,
NAPA (there's one in Nac) is a good alternate source - you can get a remanufactured DA33100X for $264 plus tax (and a $99 refundable core charge that you'll get back when you return the old air dryer). A better bet than just doing the minor rebuild kit since it gets you some additional new bits already installed (like the blow off valve and heater) for barely more money. NAPA may need to order one in from the warehouse, but they should be in stock in the Houston warehouse for only a day or so delay. http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?R=MBIDA33100X_0213507322 (http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?R=MBIDA33100X_0213507322)
Michelle
Bendix 065225 12-Volt AD-9 Air Dryer with Mounting Bracket Kit (No Wire Harness)
Bendix 065225 12-Volt AD-9 Air Dryer with Mounting Bracket Kit (No Wire Harness)
Code: 060-065225
Price: $274.38
is this the same as yours
Bill,
'03 uses the Midland/Haldex Pure Air Plus. I don't think it's interchangeable with the Bendix AD-9.
-M
Ok, just finished installing O-rings on the two back manifolds (drive and tag). The valves looked about like the ones off the front manifold - some better, some worse. Job took about 4 hours.
Checked for leaks after the fix - didn't find any. Forgot to check before I started. From looking at the valves, it appeared there had to be leaks - white desiccant powder ran all the way across the outer O-ring on several of the valves. There was also some discoloration in two of the valves that could have come from standing water, though I saw no wet areas now.
Added some photos. One showing a probable leaker and one probably not a leaker. Forgot to check, so can't be sure.
Coach is all leveled up waiting to see what happens.
j
Jim
What Jim didn't show was how he looked (even after washing his face) once the job was done. I hated to let him in the coach!
Those rear air mainfolds are in a really dirty place. He looked better than I did when I did mine
Nothing beats that satisfied smile of having done something yourself and learned more about your coach ^.^d