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Topic: Air leak up front -- need your advice (Read 1128 times) previous topic - next topic

Air leak up front -- need your advice

Symptoms:  HWH pump runs occasionally; more than it should. 
When the coach is parked, air can be heard existing somewhere under the front of the coach.
Coach is in middle Tennessee.  I am in northern Illinois.

When we get back to the coach on 12/26 I will have a very small window of time to try to fix this problem.  Lowe's and Home Depot and other resources are half an hour away.

I would like to buy whatever possible parts I might need BEFORE I get to Tennessee because anything from a big box store can be easily returned.

Given these circumstances, what would you recommend I buy in advance so that I can fix the problem in Tennessee?  Please be as specific as possible.  For example:  if you suggest a regulator(s) brand and whatever description you can give would be helpful.

By the way, I can raise the coach and use Gary Omel's roll-around dolly to lie on and access underneath the coach inside his pole barn.  I do have a spray bottle with soapy water and lots of tools.

Thanks in advance.

George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Air leak up front -- need your advice

Reply #1 –
Lowes.  Cobalt mini regulator with gauge.  $18.94  It's in with the air compressors and air tools.



http://www.lowes.com/pd_221026-1126-KBA10700AV_0__?productId=1061251&Ntt=regulator&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dregulator

Look for something similar between the front wheels - it's the regulator that keeps the front of the coach from airing up faster than the rear.  Steve's replaced ours 3 or 4 times.  Seems to coincidentally die an early death if we dump the air out of the coach and leave it that way for any period of time.

You'll want to set it to (I think) something like 60-65 psi.

I think the same model regulator is used for other things, like your step well cover and possibly the air step (if you have one).  I'm sure Barry knows if this is so.

HD has a similar item, but we've had good luck with the Lowes model (much better luck than with the ones from FT parts department, actually).

Here's the HD model, Husky 1/4 in. regulator with gauge, $20.98.



http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xgg/R-100019273/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Air leak up front -- need your advice

Reply #2 –
George,

The best leak detector solution is children's bubble blowing soap in the toy department at Walmart and elsewhere.  Soapy water is a close second.

I would suspect a connection that will quit leaking when tighten up as the source but certainly not the only possibility.  So I would have my wrenches at the ready till I discovered a different source.

When working on the air system it is even more important to block the coach so there is no possibility it could collapse on you.

Happy Holidays!
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Air leak up front -- need your advice

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Steve & Michelle –
Lowes.  Cobalt mini regulator with gauge.  $18.94  It's in with the air compressors and air tools.

Look for something similar between the front wheels - it's the regulator that keeps the front of the coach from airing up faster than the rear.  Steve's replaced ours 3 or 4 times.  Seems to coincidentally die an early death if we dump the air out of the coach and leave it that way for any period of time.

You'll want to set it to (I think) something like 60-65 psi.

I think the same model regulator is used for other things, like your step well cover and possibly the air step (if you have one).  I'm sure Barry knows if this is so.
Michelle

It is the same regulator.
You might want to have teflon tape available and some quick disconnects.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Air leak up front -- need your advice

Reply #4 –
Thank you, Rudy.
 
I will get a small bottle of that.  And, if I ever get bored I can be found at a campground blowing bubbles.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Air leak up front -- need your advice

Reply #5 –
Just for edification/clarification...Can anyone amplify on adjusting the air pressure regulator in the front of the coach (air suspension) if the coach suspension is "blocked-off"?  I would think that the suspension has to be at travel height/mode (green light at the leveling system pad) and the engine running to ensure proper air pressure delivery to the system.
 
I realize it's dangerous to get under the coach while the engine is running and in travel mode...but?????
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Air leak up front -- need your advice

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Peter & Beth –
Just for edification/clarification...Can anyone amplify on adjusting the air pressure regulator in the front of the coach (air suspension) if the coach suspension is "blocked-off"?  I would think that the suspension has to be at travel height/mode (green light at the leveling system pad) and the engine running to ensure proper air pressure delivery to the system.
 
I realize it's dangerous to get under the coach while the engine is running and in travel mode...but?????
Once your engine is running and air tank is full, you can turn engine off.
You do not need engine running to adjust regulator as the lines are now pressurized.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Air leak up front -- need your advice

Reply #7 –
Here is a larger view of the area in front where one of these valves is located (2003 U295).  On my coach, there is also on located to the left of the generator (passenger side). 

The selected media item is not currently available.
George Hatfield

  Never ever use World Line Motors of Nacogdoches for service!

Re: Air leak up front -- need your advice

Reply #8 –
Barry, Where do you get those quick disconnects and the tubing? Lowe's? Are you saying he may need to replace a disconnect fitting or add one the make it easier to install a new regulator?
Dick, '03 U320 40' Tag, 2 slides, Coach #6075
Full Timers
2009 Honda CR-V

Re: Air leak up front -- need your advice

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Dick S –
Barry, Where do you get those quick disconnects and the tubing? Lowe's? Are you saying he may need to replace a disconnect fitting or add one the make it easier to install a new regulator?
I was saying if he has a bad connector he may want to have a spare.
The regulator should already have them on it.

Truck supply should have them.  8)
They are not cheap.  ???

The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"
 

Re: Air leak up front -- need your advice

Reply #10 –
George, your spray bottle and 50/50 soap and water works fine, any tubing and fitting's that need to be replaced must be DOT approved.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094