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Topic: HWH Mystery (Read 714 times) previous topic - next topic

HWH Mystery

Not that I would wish this on anybody but I am at a lost to resolve it. When I park the coach leaving it in travel mode with the key off within a hour the left rear begins to rise. Turn the key on and it exhausts the left rear to return to travel mode height. Upon doing this a few times and the air supply is nearly depleted when I return to the coach many hours later the left rear and left front will be lowered and the bags are nearly flat. The right side appears to still be at travel height. I have replaced the lowering valves on the rear six pack back because they were leaking at through the exhaust ports on the six pack block. The coach is in my garage but I have not had the opportunity to be there every hour while these malfunctions are taking place.
I am waiting for a return call from HWH tech. I am planning on leaving on a trip with the coach Tuesday. A additional note I have two touch pads and have tried both and also all fuses in the control box are good.
Rick and Julie
Grand Villa
Build #4689
1995 4000 U280SE WTBI
8.3L 300HP Cummins

Re: HWH Mystery

Reply #1
Need to replace left rear raise valve or repair it. It is leaking.

You could first try with engine running manual raise and dump left side a number of times. That might get the valve to seal again.
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: HWH Mystery

Reply #2
I agree with Turbojack, it's a leaking raise solenoid on your rear six pack. When you park the coach, there is still air in your rear brake tank and because that solenoid isn't sealing off, it's slipping past and filling the airbag. If you'd like extra confirmation, swap the raise solenoids left to right on your rear sixpack and see if the problem moves to the other side. Based on this and the other leak-down symptoms, it's probably time to completely rebuild both of your six packs, which you probably won't be able to get parts for by Tuesday. You need to contact Tom McCloud at encantotom@gmail.com and see if he has gotten his next run of rebuild kits in yet.

You could try some percussive maintenance on the raise solenoid, maybe you can knock it loose, but it sounds like you have other leaks both front and back that'll be the next challenge. Does this coach have an auxiliary air compressor to help maintain level?

HWH callback times are multiple weeks still last I heard. I have been waiting for a call from their parts department now for about a month.

1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: HWH Mystery

Reply #3
Agree with others that it's a raise solenoid with a leak-through.  We had one and it turned out to be debris (looked like teflon or gas tape) on the seat.
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: HWH Mystery

Reply #4
The coach has an auxiliary air compressor. I have a new valve, I will replace the left raise valve.
Rick and Julie
Grand Villa
Build #4689
1995 4000 U280SE WTBI
8.3L 300HP Cummins

Re: HWH Mystery

Reply #5
When you turn your ignition key off the open travel solenoids close. Tight system will stay put. Because of your leak it rises. It's actually rising the entire time but with the travel solenoid active/open using the ride height valves it is hidden because of the constant adjustments made by them. Hope this helps to make more sense of it.
Scott

Re: HWH Mystery

Reply #6
The coach has an auxiliary air compressor. I have a new valve, I will replace the left raise valve.
If you have an auxiliary air compressor, you could try dumping all the air, shutting the engine off, and then manually leveling with the air compressor. That way you wouldn't have any air in the tanks leaking through to the bag once you're level. I suspect you'll still run into the other leak down problems you mentioned though.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: HWH Mystery

Reply #7
Thanks to all who diagnosed the issue as the left rear raise valve. I replaced the valve, problem solved! Thanks again this forum is awesome 👏. Such a willingness to share experiences and wisdom!
Rick and Julie
Grand Villa
Build #4689
1995 4000 U280SE WTBI
8.3L 300HP Cummins

Re: HWH Mystery

Reply #8
I have yet to replace a valve myself. When you install a new one do you put oil or something on the two seals before screwing down?  How tight do you crank down on it?
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: HWH Mystery

Reply #9
When you install a new one do you put oil or something on the two seals before screwing down?  How tight do you crank down on it?

There's something called "o-ring grease".  Super lube is an auto parts store brand.  I think Molykote also makes an o-ring grease.  Barely a film is needed.  More is not better.

The seal is made by the o-ring, so don't gorilla-fist it on - you can actually damage the o-rings doing so.
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: HWH Mystery

Reply #10
The seal is made by the o-ring, so don't gorilla-fist it on - you can actually damage the o-rings doing so.
Perhaps more importantly, you can strip out the aluminum block you're twisting it into and then you just signed up for a $1600 purchase and a trip to Moscow Iowa
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: HWH Mystery

Reply #11
Perhaps more importantly, you can strip out the aluminum block you're twisting it into and then you just signed up for a $1600 purchase and a trip to Moscow Iowa

Now we know how you know this after reading your other thread "PENDING: Rebuilt HWH solenoids"
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: HWH Mystery

Reply #12
The directions that came with a new valve read to hand tighten and then an additional 1/4 turn.
Rick and Julie
Grand Villa
Build #4689
1995 4000 U280SE WTBI
8.3L 300HP Cummins

Re: HWH Mystery

Reply #13
Now we know how you know this after reading your other thread "PENDING: Rebuilt HWH solenoids"
Yes, it was a frustrating experience to say the least. Not only is the front six pack an absolute nightmare to work on if you have a slide bladder tank, but whatever shop that put the others back on put them on so tight it took everything I had with channel locks to get them off. Tons of fun when you're laying on your back in the cold dirt.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: HWH Mystery

Reply #14
I have an 87 ish hydraulic control panel for sale.
20$ plus shipping from fl

Re: HWH Mystery

Reply #15
I have an 87 ish hydraulic control panel for sale.
20$ plus shipping from fl
I will take it. Still can't send any more messages for a little while due to responding to my solenoid ad
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

 

Re: HWH Mystery

Reply #16
Text me your address
I'll ship it in about a week. 
My number is in my sig