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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Farrarkc on May 31, 2024, 10:08:18 am

Title: Puff of white
Post by: Farrarkc on May 31, 2024, 10:08:18 am
Ok, this has happened to me twice now and is super scary! I was on a long trip last year and when I parked to sleep that night I had a puff of white smoke come from under the dash near the steering wheel. It was odorless and I immediately opened the dash to find nothing.
A few months later I moved the bus a short distance and it happened again.

I have seen white smoke come out of a bulb before but not in the bus but was wondering if that could be the issue.

Any thoughts!!
Title: Re: Puff of white
Post by: Pamela & Mike on May 31, 2024, 10:29:04 am
Did this happen when you set the park brakes? If so it could be desiccant powder from a failed dryer. Other than that ????? as this is strange.

Mike
Title: Re: Puff of white
Post by: wolfe10 on May 31, 2024, 10:46:41 am
Did this happen when you set the park brakes? If so it could be desiccant powder from a failed dryer. Other than that ????? as this is strange.

Mike

Easy to check-- open the wet tank drain valve.  Only clean dry air should come out.  Water, oil or worse-- white powder indicate a failed air dryer.
Title: Re: Puff of white
Post by: Bob & Sue on May 31, 2024, 01:46:48 pm
Well that brings up my question. Is a very small amount of dirty slightly oily material normal  or not. I haven't been concerned yet because I figured
 A. It's normally less than a thimble full and
 B. I figured oily would be better for the health of the tank, rust wise and all that ??
Title: Re: Puff of white
Post by: wolfe10 on May 31, 2024, 01:50:27 pm
Well that brings up my question. Is a very small amount of dirty slightly oily material normal  or not. I haven't been concerned yet because I figured
 A. It's normally less than a thimble full and
 B. I figured oily would be better for the health of the tank, rust wise and all that ??

Bob,

Dripping from where/ below what?
Title: Re: Puff of white
Post by: Bob & Sue on May 31, 2024, 01:52:43 pm
Oh sorry. From the wet tank by the rear wheel.
Title: Re: Puff of white
Post by: Farrarkc on May 31, 2024, 02:53:14 pm
It has been when I have parked both times so yes just after setting the parking brake. I have replaced the dryer to the rear so it is not original.
But even if the dryer had failed would that show up in the interior? Is there another dryer I should look for other then the rear one I replaced?


Did this happen when you set the park brakes? If so it could be desiccant powder from a failed dryer. Other than that ????? as this is strange.

Mike
Title: Re: Puff of white
Post by: craneman on May 31, 2024, 03:49:03 pm
The powder can come from a previous failure and contaminate the system until cleaned.
Title: Re: Puff of white
Post by: Protech Racing on May 31, 2024, 03:56:19 pm
Open the dash and set the brake while you watch. ?
Title: Re: Puff of white
Post by: Farrarkc on June 25, 2024, 04:57:52 pm
I took that advise and the puff of white does correspond to me setting the emergency brake.

Any recommendations on next steps to ensure my system is ok and not contaminated? I will order the Haled DQ6026 and replace the dryer. I saw on a different post that I should consider dropping the entire unit and rebuilding it. Is this standard protocol?

As always, thank you for your time!
Title: Re: Puff of white
Post by: John44 on June 25, 2024, 05:21:45 pm
Your system is comtaminated,a dryer rebuild will not uncontaminate it,it's a big job to get all the oil and powder out of the system,
where are you located,maybe one of us can help you.
Title: Re: Puff of white
Post by: Michelle on June 25, 2024, 05:50:15 pm
Your system is comtaminated,a dryer rebuild will not uncontaminate it,it's a big job to get all the oil and powder out of the system,
where are you located,maybe one of us can help you.

To emphasize what John44 states - the entire air system is likely contaminated (potentially affecting leveling and coach braking) and needs to be cleaned.

Air Tank Drainage (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=31107.msg272692#msg272692)

Air Dryer filter question (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=27654.msg226896#msg226896)

Another Haldex air dryer failure (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=24650.msg193576#msg193576)

Air Dryer desiccant contamination creates symptoms of air leak (split from... (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=17640.0)

Title: Re: Puff of white
Post by: Farrarkc on June 25, 2024, 05:59:03 pm
I am in Kansas City.

I will drain the wet tank tomorrow and see what I find.
Title: Re: Puff of white
Post by: kgrover on June 25, 2024, 08:49:56 pm
Is the white smoke water or dust? I'd suggest draining the front tanks as well as the wet tank. Hopefully it's just some moisture coming out of the parking brake valve when you set the brakes.