Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: joeszeidel on March 18, 2016, 05:40:55 pm
Title: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: joeszeidel on March 18, 2016, 05:40:55 pm
Not really sure how to check for water in the system. The air dryer filter as I understand should last a long to time. I only only of one spot to drain any water on my 95 uni-coach which is at the rear drivers wheel well. Can someone explain the process so dummy me can understand how to bleed off any moisture?
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: wolfe10 on March 18, 2016, 06:01:34 pm
The bleed you located is from the "wet tank".
So, any sign of water or worse white powder, the dryer is non-functional.
The air tank bleed is basically ONE of the report cards to use to determine that the air dryer needs service/replacement.
I recommend a FACTORY (i.e. the factory that made them) reman at 4-5 years, then replace filters after another 3-4. Then factory reman... so that you are alternating factory reman and filter replacements.
The Reman gives you all new parts-- check valves, heater, etc. And, with many dryers, if you factor in labor to rebuild, the factory remans are no more $$.
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: John Haygarth on March 18, 2016, 06:08:20 pm
Joe, there is no real method (that I know of) for testing to see if dryer is functioning right, other than open that drain valve and see if any water (vapour mist) comes out. If not you are ok but, do not think they last a long time as you should rebuild every 3 yrs as far as I am concerned because you DO NOT want either water or dessicant in the system or your repair bill is going to be way more than the cost of service for dryer. I do it myself every 3 yrs and it really is not rocket science mat all. You just get your hands dirty!! Try the drain each morning (needs air in tanks of course) to check and maybe after driving for a few hours. Heat and cold make condensation so this should be a good check for you to see if all is right or not. When was it last serviced?? JohnH
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: joeszeidel on March 18, 2016, 06:13:30 pm
Thank you Brett, if I understand you correctly if I get water or white powder then replace air dryer. The process if I understand is to open the valve for a couple of seconds if no moisture then its great. If you get moisture then repeat several times till moisture disappears. I read that the filter should last several hundred thousand miles if properly maintained?
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: joeszeidel on March 18, 2016, 06:16:32 pm
John thanks for the reply I don't know when it was serviced. I will ask the original owner. Hopefully he had it serviced as I'm told they are pricey.
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: goldbehen on March 18, 2016, 06:26:13 pm
When I open that valve your referring to behind the left rear wheel moisture comes out. So I need a new dryer filter ?
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: John Haygarth on March 18, 2016, 07:04:26 pm
Yes, but try it again and drain ALL the moisture out if possible then try it again next day and see if any still comes out. When was the last time you tried this and last time driven?? You do not want to drive it much without replacing/rebuilding as moisture will affect all the valves etc in air system and cause corrosion of inside of tanks. I seem to remember Scott (RRradio) having to replace a tank due to pitting. Note to Joe-- cheaper replacing the air Dryer than playing with all the air system to get it clean and dry. Filters etc are about $160 and service kit is extra $100 or so. I usually get them from Ryder Fleet parts online. JohnH
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: joeszeidel on March 18, 2016, 07:57:26 pm
Once again thanks John for your help and info. As you say I might have to spend a little to save a lot.
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: goldbehen on March 18, 2016, 08:10:14 pm
I've been driving about once a month enough to warm up the motor at highway speeds and then it sits. I guess it won't hurt to change. Is this something a novice should attempt. I see the part is showing as haldex DQ 6026 for my model.is that correct?
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: craneman on March 18, 2016, 08:11:45 pm
That is for the rebuild kit maybe not a novice repair
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: wolfe10 on March 18, 2016, 09:02:49 pm
Skimping on dryer service may be very poor economics.
I did a mechanical inspection a couple of months ago in Nacogdoches. Nice clean coach-- no serious issues from roof to floor level.
Under the coach, working my way forward, opened the wet tank drain. WHITE POWDER came out (desiccant filter material failed).
Now, all valves and components of air brakes and air suspension system are suspect. Many coach bucks to clean the whole air system.
The dryers fail both by time and miles. So, yes in an OTR truck hundreds of thousands of miles. But 3-4 years is still a very good idea independent of mileage.
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on March 18, 2016, 09:26:29 pm
Our's "spits" on warm-up, which I believe is normal. However, it's been six years since service has been done, so I'm going to get it serviced. Not by me! That thing is buried deep!
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: FourTravelers on March 18, 2016, 09:33:23 pm
I replaced the air dryer filters soon after we purchased the coach. (about 6 months ago) I check the wet tank drain valve after every short trip (about 2 hrs) and get maybe a teaspoon of water. How do you verify that the heater in the air dryer is working? Maybe I should replace the dryer with a reman?
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: Michelle on March 18, 2016, 09:47:56 pm
I recommend a FACTORY (i.e. the factory that made them) reman at 4-5 years, then replace filters after another 3-4. Then factory reman... so that you are alternating factory reman and filter replacements.
The Reman gives you all new parts-- check valves, heater, etc. And, with many dryers, if you factor in labor to rebuild, the factory remans are no more $$.
This is what we do; a little bit more frequently (2-3 years alternating between rather than 3-4) but it is a small cost per mile to avoid much bigger issues.
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: rbark on March 18, 2016, 10:09:51 pm
FindItParts has the DQ 6026 rebuild kits on sale for $115.00 right now
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: amos.harrison on March 18, 2016, 11:46:47 pm
FT recommends dryer service(new filters) every 18 months. I believe that any water or powder out of the wet tank indicates failure, meaning you waited too long. I've never seen either. I only did filter changes every 18 months for 9 years until my dryer suffered an internal failure, telling me I waited too long to follow the other Brett's advice on reman replacement.
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: wolfe10 on March 19, 2016, 08:24:59 am
Our's "spits" on warm-up, which I believe is normal. However, it's been six years since service has been done, so I'm going to get it serviced. Not by me! That thing is buried deep!
Mike, et al;
If doing anything more than a spin on filter, just drain air from system, disconnect the air lines and "bench work" on the dryer. Far less chance of getting dirt in it than working under the coach.
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: Ted & Karen on March 19, 2016, 12:09:52 pm
I just had a Reman Air Dryer installed - I have not had that done in the 8 years I have owned the coach and who knows what happened before that- could be original. I notice it builds up air pressure faster, keeps better pressure while driving, etc- I am pleased. Brett's idea of installing a factor Reman is right on, as usual. Thanks Brett!!
^.^d
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: its toby on March 19, 2016, 03:11:48 pm
A little bit of moisture each drive cycle would be acceptable. If you have not been doing this every drive cycle there will be more that has accumulated. You need to drain the tank and then see how much water it produces. In more humid climates like around here if you open the valve for three seconds some moisture for the first two seconds is ok. If you are getting streams of water then you need to look closer. Also you need to pay attention to what kind of moisture comes out, air compressors have been known to pass some coolant or oil into the air system.
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on March 19, 2016, 03:33:46 pm
If doing anything more than a spin on filter, just drain air from system, disconnect the air lines and "bench work" on the dryer. Far less chance of getting dirt in it than working under the coach.
What I learned from running my own business for thirty years, was, " new parts are cheaper than the labor to re-build an old one." ( A big plus on all new, is you're under warranty) I also learned to hire someone who'd done it before, if it was beyond my comprehension.
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: jclark93 on May 26, 2016, 10:53:37 am
Is that one that I can buy to replace my air dryer?
Amazon.com: Haldex Midland DQ6026 General Service Kit: Automotive (http://www.amazon.com/Haldex-Midland-DQ6026-General-Service/dp/B00480MQTG/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1464274168&sr=1-1&keywords=DQ+6026)
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: craneman on May 26, 2016, 11:15:41 am
Is that one that I can buy to replace my air dryer?
Amazon.com: Haldex Midland DQ6026 General Service Kit: Automotive (http://www.amazon.com/Haldex-Midland-DQ6026-General-Service/dp/B00480MQTG/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1464274168&sr=1-1&keywords=DQ+6026)
That is a kit to rebuild the dryer, same one I bought.
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: Lon and Cheryl on May 26, 2016, 12:06:42 pm
I seem to recall a upper and lower kit to do a complete rebuild.
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: rbark on May 26, 2016, 12:08:30 pm
That's the one I get also
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: Michelle on May 26, 2016, 12:21:19 pm
I seem to recall a upper and lower kit to do a complete rebuild.
If it's a Haldex Pure Air Plus, here's a post from Jim McNeece that mentions rebuild kit numbers and approximate cost plus the discussion of using a factory remanufactured unit as a sometimes-desired option
Desiccant powder in air system - anybody else with this experience? (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=18448.msg126847#msg126847)
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: Johnnie & Susan Laird on May 26, 2016, 12:34:27 pm
Where is this drain on a 1994 U225 ? Thanks.......... :) .........
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on May 26, 2016, 12:57:55 pm
For the wet tank drain, try looking in the rear driver side wheel well, forward of the tire, and near the outside fiberglass skin.
The front and rear tank drains, on our '93 U280, are simple ball valves on the bottom of the respective tanks. I can reach them (just) by kneeling down at the front of the coach and reaching under the front bumper. It is possible a previous owner may have added extensions to your valves to make them more accessible. You'll just have to look under the front of your coach and see what you've got.
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: jclark93 on May 26, 2016, 12:58:49 pm
Great I just ordered DQ6026 and DQ6020 via RyderFleetProducts.com. Best price so far.
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: Bob & Sue on May 26, 2016, 01:06:39 pm
Not really sure how to check for water in the system. The air dryer filter as I understand should last a long to time. I only only of one spot to drain any water on my 95 uni-coach which is at the rear drivers wheel well. Can someone explain the process so dummy me can understand how to bleed off any moisture?
Thanks much for this post. Haven't checked ours in months, forgot about it. Adding it to pre trip check. Tires, oil, water, "air drain", lights, air filter.
Maybe there should be a "check your coach" post and everyone could tack on all the stuff that that they do.
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on May 26, 2016, 01:18:21 pm
Where is this drain on a 1994 U225 ? Thanks.......... :) .........
FWIW, my 1993, U225, did not have a wet tank located anywhere. I looked many times, as I could roll under the entire front and rear of the coach when on the jacks on the concrete shop floor. Everyone said, it should have one and that it was there! But nope, nothing found in the following of the lines from the dryer forward, or from the two front tanks aft. Under the front of the coach were the two other tanks, and each had a drain valve located a short distance behind the front license plate, on extend hoses from the tanks.
Maybe it was designed this way on the 225's, because they only had air brakes, and no air bags, and used way less air than my U295 with airbags requires.
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: its toby on May 26, 2016, 03:11:53 pm
Possibly it had a split tank where it is divided and one side is the wet side. Only real tell tale would have been seeing the welded seam
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: Johnnie & Susan Laird on May 26, 2016, 03:12:25 pm
FWIW, my 1993, U225, did not have a wet tank located anywhere. I looked many times, as I could roll under the entire front and rear of the coach when on the jacks on the concrete shop floor. Everyone said, it should have one and that it was there! But nope, nothing found in the following of the lines from the dryer forward, or from the two front tanks aft. Under the front of the coach were the two other tanks, and each had a drain valve located a short distance behind the front license plate, on extend hoses from the tanks.
Maybe it was designed this way on the 225's, because they only had air brakes, and no air bags, and used way less air than my U295 with airbags requires.
You took the words right out of my mouth. I can only find the front two. I like simple.......Thanks......~JL~...... ^.^d .......
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: craneman on May 26, 2016, 03:15:49 pm
I have two air tanks on my crane and one of them has 2 drain valves it is for my front brakes and my wet tank. Is this a possibility on your Fortravel?
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: its toby on May 26, 2016, 03:18:11 pm
@craneman with two drains I would expect it is a split tank.
Title: Re: Air Dryer filter question
Post by: craneman on May 26, 2016, 03:21:54 pm
If we had such a list on this forum, there would be so much no one could go anywhere! :giggle:
I know dang it. I take my car in for service and I leave thinking that ALL is good and happy.
Driving down the road in our coach lm always thinking there's SOMETHING that needs checked or lubed or serviced. Like that little bend in the e brake cable on your car (service , grease every 50,000) Who actually does that, I know that I never get around it. A motor home, times that by 10.