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New Haldex

I had a bit of desiccant dust come out of the drain valves when opening them so I put a rebuilt Haldex dryer on last month. 

Then two and 1/2 weeks ago we left to go to Arkansas and Texas and return home,  a distance of about 1800 miles.  Every time I've opened the drain valves there has been a tiny amount of dust,  and with almost no leaks in my air system I figured I'd leave well enough alone.

We're on our way home now, in Alabama with about 250 miles to go.  I just went out to open the valves and the wet tank expelled a lot of dust in about 3-4 seconds.  'A lot ' may not be the case,  but it seemed like a lot to me.

Shouldn't things be getting better with a new dryer?  I know the advice will be to drop the tank and clean it out, but I'm wondering while all the dust now?  Did something let go,  like my new Haldex desiccant filter?

Re: New Haldex

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Travelin' Man –
Shouldn't things be getting better with a new dryer?  I know the advice will be to drop the tank and clean it out, but I'm wondering while all the dust now?  Did something let go,  like my new Haldex desiccant filter?
Just guessing here...

Suppose, in the past, the dryer on your coach went too long between changes, and some desiccant powder was deposited in the wet tank.  Since moisture was (probably) also going into the wet tank, the two combined into a "paste" which lined the bottom of the tank.

Jump forward in time - you have put the dryer back into proper operational condition.  The wet tank gradually dries out, allowing the paste (due to vibration and heat) to loosen up and again become mobile.  When you open the wet tank drain, some of this powder is expelled.

IF this scenario is accurate, and IF you are lucky, the "old" powder will remain in the wet tank and NOT travel further downstream to the other tanks and valves.  In that (desirable) situation, you might continue to get some powder out of your wet tank drain line for a long time.

If it was me, as long as the rest of the system works properly, I wouldn't sweat it.  Open the wet tank drain valve every time you run the coach, and monitor the condition of the air coming out.  Hopefully, the amount of white powder you see will gradually decline.
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: New Haldex

Reply #2 –
Thanks for your valued opinion........... and I hope you're right.

Re: New Haldex

Reply #3 –
T man
Hopefully get my air dryer changed tomorrow but suspect I may have same problem as you .
Sorry to sound so dim but where is wet tank ?
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: New Haldex

Reply #4 –
T Man, to be honest if it was mine I would be dropping the wet tank right now and wash it out, then dry and replace as it is obvious the powder was wet and with the new dryer in place the inside of tank is getting dry hence the "dust"
Barry "Beam" spent years taking valves etc apart many times to be finally rid of the stuff. He told me when they were here it was a long miserable experience that he does NOT want to go thru again.
Your time taken doing that now will pay off many times over.
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: New Haldex

Reply #5 –
Take John's advice to heart.  I am unfortunately inclined to be lazy, hence my "watch and wait" approach.  Aggressive procedures to eliminate the dust once and for all will certainly be in the best interest of your coach, and also will let you sleep better at night.  ^.^d
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: New Haldex

Reply #6 –
Totally agree with John.  Get that stuff out of there before it migrates to air brake and air suspension components. 
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: New Haldex

Reply #7 –
Drain the front and rear brake tanks and see if the powder has gone that far.
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

Re: New Haldex

Reply #8 –
Hopefully for him the majority of it got wet and stayed in the first "wet" tank. Still a good idea to drain others as should be done regularly anyway.
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: New Haldex

Reply #9 –
Could anyone give me directions to the wet tank ?
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: New Haldex

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Jimmyjnr –
Could anyone give me directions to the wet tank ?
Follow the line from your air dryer, one line comes from the compressor to the dryer, and another line from the dryer to your wet tank.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: New Haldex

Reply #11 –
It is probably also the only tank at the rear of your coach.  There is also usually a drain near the left rear wheel well.  The other 3 tanks are usually in the front.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15
 

Re: New Haldex

Reply #12 –
Great thanks ,
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620