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Topic: Air Dryer service MILES or TIME (Read 365 times) previous topic - next topic

Air Dryer service MILES or TIME

I put an entire new dryer assembly on our U295 last year. It was long overdue, and I tend to agree with the service it a few times then just replace it. However, were still not at the amount of travel time as most I see here.  We only did about 1k miles last year. Do most service the air dryer based on an annual basis regardless of miles? Or do you only do so every so many miles?

Mike in AL
2001 U295
8.3 ISC 350
Build 5918

Re: Air Dryer service MILES or TIME

Reply #1 –
Don't know what other will say.

When I had my 1997 coach and was putting no more the 1k, if that, a year for a few years  I went a number of years before I replaced.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Air Dryer service MILES or TIME

Reply #2 –

So I had decided to do two upper filter replacements each annuallyish then replace with another Napa rebuild unit on the third service. I may also stretch out a bit if I dont have a trip planned I do before trip to stretch out the time. I also mark miles and date the top of the filter in marker.

Annual Dryer service 2001 U320

Amazon.com: Haldex DQ6026 General Service Kit, 1 Pack : Automotive

Scott

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Air Dryer service MILES or TIME

Reply #3 –
Quote from: turbojack –
Don't know what other will say.

When I had my 1997 coach and was putting no more the 1k, if that, a year for a few years  I went a number of years before I replaced.

Are you referring to just the DQ6026/DQ6020 filter kits or replace it entirely?

Did you ever have an issues with Filter dust break through?
Mike in AL
2001 U295
8.3 ISC 350
Build 5918

Re: Air Dryer service MILES or TIME

Reply #4 –
Quote from: dsd –
So I had decided to do two upper filter replacements each annuallyish then replace with another Napa rebuild unit on the third service. I may also stretch out a bit if I dont have a trip planned I do before trip to stretch out the time. I also mark miles and date the top of the filter in marker.

Do you also replace the DQ6020?


Scott
I was thinking the same thing just due to the fact I live in the deep south and we do tend to have a very high humidity on average around here. Mark all my stuff also, I should take out stock in silver/black sharpies.

But I also don't want to just throw $ at this out of too much concern if others have proven due to the lack of usage, and experience, its ok to go quite a bit longer. I already overly PM everything I own.
Mike in AL
2001 U295
8.3 ISC 350
Build 5918

Re: Air Dryer service MILES or TIME

Reply #5 –
Mike,

You'll get numerous different opinions on this subject.  If it was easy to service the air dryer, and the parts required inexpensive, then the question wouldn't often be raised.  But (at least on my coach) it is NOT easy to service the dryer, and it also ain't cheap.  SO, the answer does matter...at least to those who do their own chassis service, and aren't financially supported by a family trust fund.

Logically, one might assume that a coach which is seldom driven could go longer between dryer servicing.  I don't know if this true.  The ex-professional truck drivers on this Forum will sometimes comment on how many thousands of miles their semi trucks could go without any dryer problems, and say they don't understand why the dryers are so troublesome on our coaches.  I think perhaps the opposite may be true - that it is LACK of regular use that causes premature air dryer deterioration or malfunction (especially of the purge valve).  Maybe it's like the old saying: "Use it or lose it".

At any rate, one good way to decide how often you should service your dryer is to follow the manufacturer recommendation.  See link:

https://www.fortgarryindustries.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Bendix-Air-Dryer-Service-intervals.pdf

And, as a backup to the above official guidelines, get in the habit of checking your wet tank drain valve every time you take your coach out for a drive.  As long as you get nothing but clean dry air out of the drain, your air dryer is probably fine.  If you start seeing some moisture or oily water coming out of the drain, then it's time to think about servicing the unit at the next convenient opportunity.  If you start getting white powder or grey "mud" out the drain line, then your dryer cartridge has disintegrated and you are risking contamination of your whole air system.  Search the Forum for horror stories about "white powder" in the air system.
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: Air Dryer service MILES or TIME

Reply #6 –
Chuck,
thanks for the input and link. Also agree on the view.
 I do check my wet tank every time we take it out or if I just run all the systems in the yard. My system did have the classic white dusting when I replaced the dryer last year with a re-manned unit, but must have been from a prior failure as the filter I finally got off had not failed. I took the time to remove and clean out the wet tank, as well as the other tanks, and blow out near all the lines on the coach to start some what fresher than it was, and yes quite a bit of dust came from many spots. I still need to do my 6packs themselves as I do have a bit of leaking there. Have the kits just haven't had the time.

Mike
Mike in AL
2001 U295
8.3 ISC 350
Build 5918