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89 Grandvilla auto-level problem

Hi Folks,

I'm having a problem with my coaches leveling system and could use some advice on how to remedy my auto leveling?  I have an "89" Grand Villa 36' with a Caterpiller engine and no slides.  When I have the engine running, the coach will auto-level itself and seems to work just fine, but if I park it for a day or two, The right front will begin to drop, and then the right rear.  I have fiddled with the levers and searched for answers on this wonderful forum but I'm not sure I'm finding the answers that pertain to my particular coach.  There are three leveler joysticks and a round bubble level located on the floor to the left of the driver's seat.  With the engine running I can make it level, but with the engine off, the left front will slowly leak out after a few hours, and then the right rear droops.  I have read from other threads that there is a 12 volt Aux compressor that will trip on when the coach senses a low-pressure/unlevel condition. I have not heard this pump running nor do I know its location.  Does anyone have any insight into its location and maybe a repair?

Steve C

Re: 89 Grandvilla auto-level problem

Reply #1 –
I believe you have hydraulic levelers from your description of the joysticks. I don't think that the leak has anything to do with the engine running. If you let it idle it will probably drop the same. Search for hydraulic leveler problems and see what comes up.
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: 89 Grandvilla auto-level problem

Reply #2 –
Fishlips, sorry I just had to say that.....on my hydraulic levelers they seem to be affected by altitude.  At home base, 3,000 feet, they work fine but when I travel to one of my off site locations, 6,500 feet the passenger side front will drop down but will not extend.  Come back to home base it works fine.  Does seem to level better with engine running but will work either way.  Have the same issue with system loosing pressure, about every week or so, but for the life of me cannot find any leaks, fluid level loses or drips under the rig to confirm actual leak.  But the evidence speaks for itself when I re-level the unit.  Twenty-four years old I think the old gal just gets tired holding up the weight.  Short of evidence to the contrary that will allow me to fix something have just been living with it and consider it part of the quarks for the old gal.  BTW, have never seen, found, or heard of any 12 volt compressor on my rig but we have slightly different units and that would explain a possible aux compressor on your unit, if it has one.
Randy & Connie Peterson
Carlsbad, NM
1994 Grand Villa  #4593  SOLD
U240 36' Unihome CAT 3116 6 Speed Allison
Motorcader  17988    SKP  103142
2016 Ford F150 Towed Vehicle

Re: 89 Grandvilla auto-level problem

Reply #3 –
  I have the auto levelers with the switch on the dash, hit it once to deploy the hydo jacks and hit it a 2nd time to drain the air bags and then the coach self levels. Only problem that I've noticed is if the house battery is low then they are slow to retract.....firing the gen-pac cures that.
 My suspicion is maybe some bleed back through the levers detents on the control is where to start.
 When the outside temp is low my system is a tad sluggish.  :headwall:
Mick
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: 89 Grandvilla auto-level problem

Reply #4 –
Thank you all for the replies but unfortunately, I am now even more confused!  My coach has Firestone air bags suspension but I'm being lead to believe that these are not responsible for leveling the coach.  I have been underneath and have not seen any hydraulic jacks mounted to the undercarriage.  There are some red struts that are attached to the suspension.  Are these the hydraulic jacks?  If so, where is the fluid reservoir?

Steve

Re: 89 Grandvilla auto-level problem

Reply #5 –
Our 91GV does not have an aux. 12volt compressor,  The air hose comes from the holding tanks.  It also has a different leveling sys.  You may have a similar set up and if the engine is not running, then your tanks are not being kept up to pressure and any leakage will not be made up.  Check your air pressure gauges in the beginning and when you notice the drop.  Ambient temperature can have a large affect on leakage.    Have a great day  ----  Fritz
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'

Re: 89 Grandvilla auto-level problem

Reply #6 –
Steve is your 89 a unihome?
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: 89 Grandvilla auto-level problem

Reply #7 –
Thanks Fritz,

That's some good info!  Would you know the name of the system in your coach...I don't think it's a HWH.

Steve

Re: 89 Grandvilla auto-level problem

Reply #8 –
That system does not sound like it is a hwh. There was some other company that made the type of system you describe, but I don't remember what it is. Is there a name on any of the controls or the red struts. The normal leveling system on that coach was a hwh hydraulic swing down jack system and then either manual or automatic.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: 89 Grandvilla auto-level problem

Reply #9 –
Steve. I think you are describing the air leveling  system.The 3 levers on the left side of the drivers seat control your leveling. It is not automatic. The levers have control cables attached to them that go to the leveling valves for the air springs/bags. When you push a lever forward it rotates the level valve and air exits and the air bag drops. If you pull lever to rear  air goes into bag and coach rsises. When the When the levers are centered in the middle position you will feel a decent.  This position  is the travel height position.. The left lever controls the left rear air bag valve. The right lever controls the right rear valve.  The center lever controls the front. There is only one level valve in the front it raises both sides. Example you park and are tilted to the right. You push left lever forward until coach is level. Side to side.you will leave the lever right there in that position. The center lever will then lift the front up or down to level now to stern. Levers will stay in whatever position they are when you are parked once level. When ready to travel all 3 levers will be returned to center position into the detent notches and coach will return to travel height. There should be a 120 volt aux compressor. That will keep air bags inflated when plugged in. There is not a 12 volt compressor. If coach is dropping you have a air leak or leaks.This system is explained in detail in your owners books in the binder if you have it.
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: 89 Grandvilla auto-level problem

Reply #10 –
  If your bus is an Oshkosh, it has 4 air bags and 4 hydro jacks to level when parked .  If you have  swing down  jacks at the ends  of the coach for static leveling, there is a hydraulic pump behind the front bumper and the dash  has a HWH  panel.  I dont have any levers in the dash in my  87 -88  ORED. 

OR  You may have a Unihome  that has  8 air bags  and no hydraulic system . The  compressor  maintains level  to the 8 bags. 
  You have to know what you have , OSHkosh or  Foretravel chassis, air or hydraulic leveling.  Hope that helps. MM   

Re: 89 Grandvilla auto-level problem

Reply #11 –
Steve this may sound like a stupid ? But it will help us determine what chassis you have.
If the basement doors are hinged at the top you have a unihome.
If the doors are hinged at the bottom you have an ORED.
Or better yet a photo of your data plates below the driver's window.
Once this is determined we are in a better position to help you out.
Did you get any manuals in big 3 ring binders?
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: 89 Grandvilla auto-level problem

Reply #12 –
BTW, beamalarm.com specs show an 110 volt air compressor on the 89 U-280 unihome. Have no idea where's it's located, but if it's 110 volt you have to be plugged in or run the genset, unless somebody added an invertor.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: 89 Grandvilla auto-level problem

Reply #13 –
Hey Fishlips  ----  The sys. on our 91GV is HWH with the panel to the left and just below the driver's seat.  It has 4 levelers that can be leveled in auto or manual.  Each leveler has a switch of its own for manual operation.  The pump is forward under the cowling in front of the steering wheel as is the hyd. reservoir.  It's a little difficult to check and or add fluid to the reservoir.  The switches also have yellow and red lights to indicate if the leveler is up or down.    Hope this helps  ----  Have a great day  ----  Fritz
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'

Re: 89 Grandvilla auto-level problem

Reply #14 –
There are four (4) Phillips head screws holding each grill section in place. Remove the grill section in front of the fill neck and your access  is absolutely great for checking or filling.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: 89 Grandvilla auto-level problem

Reply #15 –
Hey All,
 
Sorry about the lack of information .... I am newby when it comes to RV / motorhome ownership but I am having a blast repairing on it!  I have the Unihome Grandvilla 36' with a caterpillar 3208 diesel and Allison Transmission.  Only has 57000 miles on it!  Each wheel has two airbags (8 total) and there is a 110 volt air compressor located in the basement ( I thought this was a Foretravel option that came with the coach)

I am not with my coach at the moment but will be returning to it in 5 days.  I have an attached picture of my dataplate.  You all have been quite helpful, but I think that Stump hit the nail on the head and isolated the problem I was having .  I was using the three control levers to level the coach, then I would shut down the engine and return the levers back to the center detent (travel position)... WRONG!  I also have the 110 volt aux compressor unplugged so it is not maintaining air tank pressures ...WRONG AGAIN!  This might be the reason it is leaning... I hope so.  If not, I'll check for air leaks.

I do have one more question... on the right side in the basement compartment that stores the water heater are three brass valves next to the bulkhead.  If I turn them, air is released from the tanks?  Are these valves used for any purpose other than  releasing pressure in the air tanks?

Steve

Re: 89 Grandvilla auto-level problem

Reply #16 –
  Steve,
I obviously did not realize that your coach or for that matter any GV of that vintage had a full airbag system :-[
Apologies for the ramble about how my coach an 88 GV easily levels automatically (2 switch) I guess it's back to the drawing  board for me........AH ! read..comprehend..ask..then blurt.  ^.^d
Mick 
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: 89 Grandvilla auto-level problem

Reply #17 –
Steve : I have the same system you have. 8 airbags, 3 lever leveling system, 120 volt compressor. I also have the manual. Will be at the coach this weekend and bring it home, scan it and email it to you. Will post it in the manual section on the forum here for future reference as well. Will be first of next week before I can get it sent off. There should also be a red warning light on the dash indicating you have the levers not in the travel mode, just can't remember where exactly, Will take pictures and send them as well. Something you might consider. Appears you might be sitting down in the same place for a while hooked up to power. My auxiliary compressor is located in forward bay, right side, ( Not fuel/ propane bay ), just behind entrance step.  Where it is plugged into 110. I have installed a timer so that it will not come on in the middle of the night. When it's running makes quite a racket. Got that little tidbit right here on this forum. 
 
The Starship- 1990 Grandvilla Unihome U300 40ft
6V92 Detroit Diesel w/ 4 spd Allison w/ retarder. Build# 3575 , Foretravel# 17895
The Shuttlecraft- 2015 Ford Explorer
Steve ( N6EKV ) & Lori ( N6JTD ) Faries  w/ Marlee our precious pup.
Patterson CA.
 

Re: 89 Grandvilla auto-level problem

Reply #18 –
Quote from: stump –
Steve. I think you are describing the air leveling  system.The 3 levers on the left side of the drivers seat control your leveling. It is not automatic. The levers have control cables attached to them that go to the leveling valves for the air springs/bags. When you push a lever forward it rotates the level valve and air exits and the air bag drops. If you pull lever to rear  air goes into bag and coach rsises. When the When the levers are centered in the middle position you will feel a decent.  This position  is the travel height position.. The left lever controls the left rear air bag valve. The right lever controls the right rear valve.  The center lever controls the front. There is only one level valve in the front it raises both sides. Example you park and are tilted to the right. You push left lever forward until coach is level. Side to side.you will leave the lever right there in that position. The center lever will then lift the front up or down to level now to stern. Levers will stay in whatever position they are when you are parked once level. When ready to travel all 3 levers will be returned to center position into the detent notches and coach will return to travel height. There should be a 120 volt aux compressor. That will keep air bags inflated when plugged in. There is not a 12 volt compressor. If coach is dropping you have a air leak or leaks.This system is explained in detail in your owners books in the binder if you have it.
I realize this is an old post, but, this is the best summary of how this 3 lever air leveling system works that I've seen. It certainly is better than what is in the manual that came with my coach..
Len Barron
1988 GV36 U280 3208T(250hp)/MT643
1972 Jeep Commando LS2/4L65e
2000 Chevy Express Hightop Campervan
LBZ Duramax /6sp Allison