Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: golfnut on May 14, 2025, 05:42:08 pm

Title: Air leak
Post by: golfnut on May 14, 2025, 05:42:08 pm
Sorry, another air leak post. In about 8 hours both gauges simultaneously go to zero. The check valves appear to work properly as  they don't change pressure when wet tank is drained. I have sprayed everything with no obvious leaks. Anyone have any ideas. Thanks
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: zmpm01 on May 14, 2025, 07:57:11 pm
Have you checked the stairwell cover air ram? and how about the air regulators.
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: golfnut on May 14, 2025, 09:40:01 pm
Yes
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: turbojack on May 14, 2025, 09:54:24 pm
Have you checked the stairwell cover air ram? and how about the air regulators.

If the protection valves are working correctly they would only let the air pressure get down to around 65 psi on the front and rear air tanks, so leak(s) are somewhere else. I am assuming that when he says both air gauges he is talking about the gauge for the front and rear tanks.

Did you check the drain valves and the fittings?
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: golfnut on May 15, 2025, 08:22:57 am
Yep, I guess I was thinking maybe something that would cause both tanks to loose air. The gauges move the same amount to zero.
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on May 15, 2025, 09:20:46 am
The check valves appear to work properly as  they don't change pressure when wet tank is drained.
If the check valves are sealing properly, the leak must not be upstream of those valves.

As turbojack states, if the leak was downstream from the protection valves, then your pressure gauges would stop going down (or at least pause for some time) around the 65 psi level.  Since they are not doing that, it would seem the leak is upstream from the protection valves.

This narrows the possible source of air loss down to a fairly restricted space - somewhere between the check valves and the protection valves.  Look at your air system diagram and see which air lines tie into the tanks between those valves.  Where do those air lines go?  Could the tanks themselves be leaking?  Having rust holes appear in both tanks simultaneously would be...unusual.  The condensate drain valves?  You said you checked them.

Good luck.
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: golfnut on May 15, 2025, 05:36:55 pm
Thanks, no luck yet. Fun Fun. NOT
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: turbojack on May 15, 2025, 06:33:35 pm
Seems to me something in the braking system or if throttle is air operated. Since you have eliminated air leaks at fittings, then possibly a brake module. Have you checked brake pedal  or throttle controller in the coach.

Do you have the drawings of air system? Maybe if you posted someone may come up with an idea.
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: turbojack on May 15, 2025, 07:19:10 pm
Did you check parking brake valve and fittings?
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: Pamela & Mike on May 15, 2025, 07:30:47 pm
You have a couple of air pressure switches that are in the piping that is fed off the line going to the brake treadle valve and park brake. These switches are known to leak at the crimp ring.

Mike
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: golfnut on May 16, 2025, 08:43:00 am
Thanks everyone, taking a break. When I get under coach again I will take some pics. I did check parking break switch no leak detected. I didn't check other areas concerning brakes, I did check treadle valve.
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: John Duld on May 16, 2025, 07:21:27 pm
Sounds like a big enough leak that you might be able to hear.
Get the air up, turn your hearing aids all the way up 😊 and go around inside and out and listen.
You might get lucky.
Hope you do.
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: Barry & Cindy on May 16, 2025, 08:22:28 pm
Could gauges be part of the problem
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: rbark on May 17, 2025, 05:33:53 pm
Speaking of air leaks, where do people buy DOT certified brake line fittings? I'm getting Sticker Shock looking at what's offered online!
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: turbojack on May 17, 2025, 05:51:29 pm
Fleetpride.  Go online and open an account.  They will give a discount over regular web prices
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: Protech Racing on May 17, 2025, 06:43:40 pm
You may have a few check valves. Dryer exit for one and one at each tank inlet. If both tanks lose the same values. I would look near the dryer check valve for starters.  Simple way to test.  Let the air fall to 2-40# and unscrew the cartridge a little.  There should not be pressure in the dryer after it purges.  Be careful of course.
 Trace the lines and see what shares pressure ?
  My parking brake leaks pretty quickly in about 5 hrs to zero ish .
 My brake treadle valve leaks a little while running , and while parked  . 
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: golfnut on May 18, 2025, 12:02:27 pm
A big bubble, the front protection valve. It is leaking out the little hole. Not sure it is enough to amount to anything.
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: AC7880 on May 18, 2025, 01:20:48 pm
If you haven't already, try pumping the brake pedal with coach running. 
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: Pamela & Mike on May 18, 2025, 01:48:32 pm
With the air coming out that little hole indicates that the diaphragm has/is failing. Said another way the diaphragm has a hole in it which mean the protection valve need replacing so it will function properly.

Mike
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: golfnut on May 18, 2025, 02:34:34 pm
Would this be a proper replacement?
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: golfnut on May 18, 2025, 02:44:45 pm
Dan, why are you suggesting pumping brakes? Thanks
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: Michelle on May 18, 2025, 02:59:04 pm
Would this be a proper replacement?

Does it cross-reference?

Part Number Collection (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=11472.msg493926#msg493926)

Reservoir Pressure Protection Valve - 1/4" NPT, 65 PSI
Haldex: 90555396
Midland: N15759DG
Meritor Wabco: 9348990060
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: golfnut on May 18, 2025, 03:49:39 pm
Am I to assume the right tank uses same valve? Looking at that tank, it has been replaced with this valve.
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: Pamela & Mike on May 18, 2025, 05:20:33 pm
Am I to assume the right tank uses same valve?

Yes

Those valves should be rated to close at about 60-65 lbs.  the one listed in reply 19 it closes at 45 which leaves you little pressure to get off the road before the spring brake will set.

Mike
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: AC7880 on May 18, 2025, 06:11:59 pm
Dan, why are you suggesting pumping brakes? Thanks

Happened to me one time on a Bluebird coach when I was still a novice RVer.

Had camp hosted for 5 months.  When ready to depart could not build air pressure. Checked around, heard leak by treadle under front of coach.  Hit the brakes a couple of times and it resolved itself. Never happened againn.
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: golfnut on May 18, 2025, 06:53:56 pm
Thanks, I will try it.
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: Protech Racing on May 18, 2025, 09:30:39 pm
Happened to me one time on a Bluebird coach when I was still a novice RVer.

Had camp hosted for 5 months.  When ready to depart could not build air pressure. Checked around, heard leak by treadle under front of coach.  Hit the brakes a couple of times and it resolved itself. Never happened againn.
Maybe the pressure release valve stuck a bit.
As you let off of the pedal.
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: golfnut on May 19, 2025, 10:37:45 am
Sorry I am getting confused on which protection valve to buy. These other cross reference valves say open at 70psi close at 65psi. This PAI valve says open 65 close 45. Would I be better off with the close at 65psi or match left tank with right tank? Thanks
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: turbojack on May 19, 2025, 11:23:22 am
Close at 65. You want more air in your tanks to stop. If your existing one close at 45 psi you need to change that one also
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: golfnut on May 19, 2025, 12:09:24 pm
I had a feeling I was going to get that response. That one doesn't appear to be leaking, double the fun I guess. Thanks
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: turbojack on May 19, 2025, 04:40:08 pm
I had a feeling I was going to get that response. That one doesn't appear to be leaking, double the fun I guess. Thanks


Better knowing now and getting it fixed, instead of being out in the middle somewhere in the middle of the highway with the parking brake on.
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: golfnut on May 19, 2025, 05:40:26 pm
For sure
Title: Re: Air leak
Post by: Protech Racing on May 20, 2025, 08:56:53 am
My throttle valve is a substantial leak right now and I hope the parts are OTW.