Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Sliding floor in front of passenger seat  (Read 630 times) previous topic - next topic

Sliding floor in front of passenger seat

I hear a leak where the sliding floor meets the regular floor. It's causing my pump, of course to go on. But when I am under the coach I can't hear anything.
It goes in and out at different air pressure.
While the pump is going the floor will close and it cannot be opened.  When the pump is finished you can manually slide it back.
Then it just barely hisses. Then when the pressure is low enough the pump kicks on again.
I assume I need a valve replaced. But I can't locate where the noise is coming from.
Thanks.
Rick & MJ Berry
1998 U320 40'
Ohio

Re: Sliding floor in front of passenger seat

Reply #1 –
Rick, My understanding is that if you have a small air pump under the stairs, it is after market as mine is, and that it powers only the various plenum doors in the dash heating/defrost system.  The sliding step well cover, on the other hand, is powered by the main air pressure system on the chassis. 

Is the air pump you are referencing a small pump located in the area under the stairs?
Jan & Richard Witt
1999 U-320  36ft WTFE
Build Number: 5478 Motorcade: 16599
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited w/Air Force One
Jan: NO5U, Richard:KA5RIW
The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: Sliding floor in front of passenger seat

Reply #2 –
The pump under the stairs is a vacuum pump to supply vacuum to operate the air plenums. 

This sounds like it may be the actuator cylinder for the step cover leaking.  I think there are several posts about adding an isolation valve to the system to avoid having to replace the cylinder.  I think the air is suppled by the 12V compressor that also supplies the HWH system and the fold down exterior step.

When the cylinder has air, does the step cover open and close as it should?

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: Sliding floor in front of passenger seat

Reply #3 –
As far as i know your aux air compressor has nothing to do with the fold Down step or the sliding cover. The cylinder on my cover was leaking. I installed an electric solenoid on the supply line for the cover ahead of the pressure regulator. Turn it on to run the cover turn it off no air leak. Normally closed 12v 1/4" NPT valve about 12 bucks on Amazon.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Sliding floor in front of passenger seat

Reply #4 –
When I am at a certain pressure it works fine. Usually it hisses when the floor is retracted and  no hissing when it is extended.
In any case I need to do something.
I can hear it perfectly inside the coach, it is coming at the top of the steps. But when I get under the coach where the two tanks are I hear nothing.
Thanks.

Rick & MJ Berry
1998 U320 40'
Ohio

Re: Sliding floor in front of passenger seat

Reply #5 –
Sounds like you are getting to the point where your Air Protection Valve is closing and the cover stops working. The step cover cylinder is in one of the most difficult places that it could have been installed. You have to come in from underneath just to see it and you may (on some coaches) have to pull one of your air tanks just to reach the bolts holding it in place. Depending on which cylinder was installed will determine if it is rebuildable as some were disposable units.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Sliding floor in front of passenger seat

Reply #6 –
Because of the difficulty to replace the step slide cover and other reasons, Bruce and other install 3-way 12-v air valve on the air line to the step slide 4-way pneumatic controlling valve located behind step. Turn it off and air cylinder is not under any pressure. Pressure is only used to move slide, not to keep it in open or closed position, so removing air is recommended. Also slide can be manually moved without air pressure.

Re: Sliding floor in front of passenger seat

Reply #7 –
I think I follow you. 
So you just do a work around the cylinder.
Should I use a solenoid or that 3 way valve.
Thanks
Rick & MJ Berry
1998 U320 40'
Ohio

Re: Sliding floor in front of passenger seat

Reply #8 –
A solenoid closes air supply, but does not evacuate compressed air still in cylinder (that is unless cylinder has a leak). 3-way valve closes air supply AND lets compressed air out of cylinder, to preserve and extend cylinder life, to help prevent future leaks.

Re: Sliding floor in front of passenger seat

Reply #9 –
Quote from: 18360 –
I think I follow you. 
So you just do a work around the cylinder.
Should I use a solenoid or that 3 way valve.
Thanks
I used a normally closed one, couldn't see any need in a 3 way as my cylinder already leaks like yours.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country
 

Re: Sliding floor in front of passenger seat

Reply #10 –
Yes, that cylinder is in a really tough location to remove.  When we had issues , I was lucky as I had a pit. It was still tough to take out but doable. The reason for leaking was the end rubber seal was shot, but I did a temp repair of it and put the cylinder back. I had contacted FT parts and they wanted $400 us for it and at time I could not find anything else on internet.  So as I could remove again if needed I made do with repair as we were soon about to leave for winter in Mexico.
I never bothered doing anything again and put up with it.
It started leaking again about 12 months later.
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.