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Topic: What is this air valve? (Read 518 times) previous topic - next topic

What is this air valve?

This is a solenoid valve off my 91 u280 which I think is part of the cruise control. It is mounted on the engine compartment wall at the foot of the bed on a stud coming out if a metal box with 'Bendix" stamped on it. The left side of mi e is leaking. Looks like it could be rebuildable with o rings or maybe I could find a replacement.
Rich Roberson
Columbia, SC
1991 U280

Re: What is this air valve?

Reply #1 –
Air throttle control.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: What is this air valve?

Reply #2 –
Photo
Rich Roberson
Columbia, SC
1991 U280

Re: What is this air valve?

Reply #3 –
Slightly better picture. Mine is leaking. Are they rebuildable?
Rich Roberson
Columbia, SC
1991 U280

Re: What is this air valve?

Reply #4 –
Here is a "corrected" diagram of the Bendix air throttle/cruise control system on our '93 U280, and a photo of our panel.  Yours should be similar.  Most of the parts are identified in the diagram.  Some are still available - some are not.  In your photo it is hard to tell which one you are talking about.  Hope this helps.

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: What is this air valve?

Reply #5 –
Thanks Chuck. My part is the solenoid assembly and it has an air leak out of the bottom of the left solenoid closest to the pressure reducing valve. The solenoid simply screws into the plastic assembly and seats against an o ring at the top of the chamber. Is there a source for this assembly or the o rings?
Rich Roberson
Columbia, SC
1991 U280

Re: What is this air valve?

Reply #6 –
As you know, the whole Bendix setup is obsolete and no longer supported.  To my knowledge, there is no source for the solenoid assembly (new or rebuilt), or the "brain box".  If you think it is simply a bad O-ring causing your leak, your best bet is to try to source a new O-ring.  It might be a "trial and error" search, but should not be too difficult if you have a supply store nearby with a good stock of sizes.

Bendix manuals linked below.  These are the best lists I've found of parts numbers.  Finding the actual PARTS is another thing entirely.  :headwall:

http://www.wanderlodgeownersgroup.com/downloads/BendixCruiseCtlManual_Parts.pdf

http://www.wanderlodgeownersgroup.com/downloads/Bendix%20Cruise%20Control%20Parts%20Catalog[1].pdf
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: What is this air valve?

Reply #7 –
I took the whole cruise air system apart on the 94 GV I bought as it was causing the throttle to stay on instead of reverting to idle. Not brain surgery at all and servicing the air cylinder was main part. It needs to have some synthetic grease wiped around the inside. O rings are easy to find and if you have a forklift service place close go see them as they usually carry every size (ours does)
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: What is this air valve?

Reply #8 –
So are manufacturer's no longer are held responsible to provide support after a few years so everything ends up in a landfill? This is progress?  Really?  Environmentaly responsible or even energy repsonsible? Really? Hope your get your issue fixed. Time for somebody to reverse engineer this.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake
 

Re: What is this air valve?

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Old phart phred –
Time for somebody to reverse engineer this.
Apparently not a large enough market to interest anyone with the means to do so.  Our RV friends over on the Wanderlodge Owner's Group have been picking away at this problem for years.  Many of their coach models are blessed with the same Bendix setup.  They have tried in vain to find a new source for the control cable (another unobtainable part).  If you watch eBay, you will occasionally see NOS (New Old Stock) Bendix parts for this system.  About a year ago, I pounced on a NOS rebuild kit for the CC-5 air cylinder - just a few O-rings and seals, but nice to have the correct items in hand.  I also bought a brand new Bendix potentiometer for the CC-5 cylinder off eBay.

If you have one of these Bendix units, it pays to keep your eyes open and run a online "keyword" search at frequent intervals.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"