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Topic: 2003 U320 HWH O-rings installed - no leaks (Read 1156 times) previous topic - next topic

2003 U320 HWH O-rings installed - no leaks

Installed a full set of O-rings on the front manifold (genuine HWH O-ring kit).  Took about 2-1/2 hours.

I lowered the coach fully and emptied all the air tanks.  I was just barely able to slide under, but had plenty of room once I squeezed in.  Everything was in comfortable reaching position.

Had to unbolt manifold from its mounting due to interference from air tank and other stuff.  I worry that having wiggled a lot of hoses, I may have created some new leaks.  Time will tell.

Removing the valves proved to be much more difficult than expected.  Had to use a pipe wrench and lot of muscle to break them loose.

Found all valves to have a white coating that looked like talcum powder.  I assume it is from the unmaintained desiccant.  It easily wiped off. 

There was some corrosion/pitting of the manifold surfaces (aluminum).  Used 400 and 800 grit sand paper to clean and polish all the surfaces.

Put it all back together and performed a bubble test.  Showed no sign of leaks.

The coach is leveled and we wait to see what happens.

Jim
Jim McNeece
2003 U320 40'
2017 Chevy Colorado Tow

Re: 2003 U320 HWH O-rings installed - no leaks

Reply #1 –
Did Gayle find a spot for all those coats?  I bet you really need them in Nac this weekend!  Lol
Tom & Bill

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Re: 2003 U320 HWH O-rings installed - no leaks

Reply #2 –
Quote from: indio192 –
Removing the valves proved to be much more difficult than expected.  Had to use a pipe wrench and lot of muscle to break them loose.

Found all valves to have a white coating that looked like talcum powder.  I assume it is from the unmaintained desiccant.  It easily wiped off. 

Jim,

UGH!

If they were that tight, someone must have gorilla-fisted them on, thinking that would stop leaks.  That tight is not good for o-ring surfaces.

That fine white powder is the desiccant from an unmaintained air dryer - the big Haldex/Midland one, not the little aux compressor desiccant bowl!  You would be well-advised to start checking that end of the system for a failed air dryer/powder everywhere.  It could be the air dryer has since been replaced, but there could be more powder throughout the system that's going to continue to foul things.

Michelle
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: 2003 U320 HWH O-rings installed - no leaks

Reply #3 –
The corrosion on the manifold would make it difficult to remove the valves as the surfaces were rough, glad that you got it done and should make you a lot happier with the leveling
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: 2003 U320 HWH O-rings installed - no leaks

Reply #4 –
Thanks Michelle,

After the FOT guys finish the ZipDee install tomorrow (I hope), I'll check out the Haldex.  I doubt that it has ever been serviced (then again, I never changed the one in my '96).  Will report back on the results of my inspection. 

Crap, another trip to FOT parts desk.

Jim
Jim McNeece
2003 U320 40'
2017 Chevy Colorado Tow

Re: 2003 U320 HWH O-rings installed - no leaks

Reply #5 –
Quote from: indio192 –

After the FOT guys finish the ZipDee install tomorrow (I hope), I'll check out the Haldex.  I doubt that it has ever been serviced (then again, I never changed the one in my '96).  Will report back on the results of my inspection. 

Crap, another trip to FOT parts desk.

Jim,

NAPA (there's one in Nac) is a good alternate source - you can get a remanufactured DA33100X for $264 plus tax (and a $99 refundable core charge that you'll get back when you return the old air dryer).  A better bet than just doing the minor rebuild kit since it gets you some additional new bits already installed (like the blow off valve and heater) for barely more money.  NAPA may need to order one in from the warehouse, but they should be in stock in the Houston warehouse for only a day or so delay.  http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?R=MBIDA33100X_0213507322

Michelle
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: 2003 U320 HWH O-rings installed - no leaks

Reply #6 –

Bendix 065225 12-Volt AD-9 Air Dryer with Mounting Bracket Kit (No Wire Harness) 

Bendix 065225 12-Volt AD-9 Air Dryer with Mounting Bracket Kit (No Wire Harness)

Code: 060-065225

Price: $274.38

is this the same as yours

1993 U300, 6v92
build 4366
USAF retired, Flight Engineer, C124, C130
 ATP, A & E.  & ex AI

Re: 2003 U320 HWH O-rings installed - no leaks

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Bill Chaplin –
Bendix 065225 12-Volt AD-9 Air Dryer with Mounting Bracket Kit (No Wire Harness) 

is this the same as yours

Bill,

'03 uses the Midland/Haldex Pure Air Plus.  I don't think it's interchangeable with the Bendix AD-9.

-M
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: 2003 U320 HWH O-rings installed - no leaks

Reply #8 –
Ok, just finished installing O-rings on the two back manifolds (drive and tag).  The valves looked about like the ones off the front manifold - some better, some worse.  Job took about 4 hours.

Checked for leaks after the fix - didn't find any.  Forgot to check before I started.  From looking at the valves, it appeared there had to be leaks - white desiccant powder ran all the way across the outer O-ring on several of the valves.  There was also some discoloration in two of the valves that could have come from standing water, though I saw no wet areas now.

Added some photos.  One showing a probable leaker and one probably not a leaker.  Forgot to check, so can't be sure.

Coach is all leveled up waiting to see what happens.

j

Jim
Jim McNeece
2003 U320 40'
2017 Chevy Colorado Tow

Re: 2003 U320 HWH O-rings installed - no leaks

Reply #9 –
What Jim didn't show was how he looked (even after washing his face) once the job was done.  I hated to let him in the coach!
Gayle McNeece

Re: 2003 U320 HWH O-rings installed - no leaks

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Gayle McNeece –
What Jim didn't show was how he looked (even after washing his face) once the job was done.  I hated to let him in the coach!
^.^d
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: 2003 U320 HWH O-rings installed - no leaks

Reply #11 –
Those rear air mainfolds are in a really dirty place. He looked better than I did when I did mine
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: 2003 U320 HWH O-rings installed - no leaks

Reply #12 –
Nothing beats that satisfied smile of having done something yourself and learned more about your coach  ^.^d
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