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Haldex air drier

Keith R. at MOT solved a little problem that could have been a big problem for my air system on 2001 U270.
2 Weeks ago he changed the exhaust port on the air cylinder that retracts our step cover- it was barely retracting.  Turns out it was clogged and we both thought it was original ( 14 years old) so, he replaced it and it operated fine.  We left NAC for a week to visit friends and relatives , then came back to have our couch redone at Infinity.

The cover was not retracting well, so I stopped by MOT, Keith started wondering why it clogged up so fast.  He discovered that there was desiccant in the air system- we needed out air drier changed.  It had been changed in January of 2014, so he changed it and blew out all the lines to get the junk out.  Keith found something that I never thought of and helped me avoid a potential big problem with my air system.

Lessons learned:

1.  Don't let a small thing go too long, it could be a bigger problem on the way.
2...A great tech. like Keith at MOT and others at FOT are worth their weight in gold.

Happy Thanksgiving to all and safe travels.

Ted & Karen
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: Haldex air drier

Reply #1 –
Ted,

As you discovered, the air dryer is one of the most neglected routine maintenance items on DP's.

Good idea to service them every three years by one of three methods-- in each case, using ONLY OE factory (not overseas clones): rebuild, replace with reman, replace with new.
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: Halex air drier

Reply #2 –
Am rebuilding my air dryer as we speak, well waiting on parts, The reason I decided to look into mine was that it would not cycle very much. I looked at the exhaust port and found a oil or at least wet and not knowing the history of our Coach(Po passed away) widow did not have any answers. anyway this last weekend I pulled it out. Did not see any real problems. but decided to rebuild anyway. Going south in Jan for a little R&R and did not want to have issues. I think they could have placed it in a little easier place to get to. Am big on preventive maintenance as Bert. As the old saying goes ( why do we have time to fix it twice and never enough time to fix it the first time.) Anyway glad you figured it out. 8)
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921

Re: Haldex air drier

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Ted & Karen –

The cover was not retracting well, so I stopped by MOT, Keith started wondering why it clogged up so fast.  He discovered that there was desiccant in the air system- we needed out air drier changed.  It had been changed in January of 2014, so he changed it and blew out all the lines to get the junk out. 

Guys,

Do you know the time interval prior to the January 2014 change, and do you mean the desiccant cartridge, cartridge plus coalescing filter, or the entire air dryer?  If just the cartridge or cartridge/filter you might consider doing a factory-reman replacement of the entire air dryer the next time you're due for dryer maintenance.  That will get you to a zero-out on things like the valves and internal heater.
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: Haldex air drier

Reply #4 –
Ted,

Do not be surprised if you have other problems related to desiccant contamination of your air system. 

As I found when my dryer cartridge failed, desiccant had accumulated in all the check valves and the leveling system solenoid valves.  The material had solidified in many critical areas leading to air leakage.  Blowing out the system did not remove the material - I had to wash out the system with detergent (Simple Green) and  replace many components to get the air system working again.  And I would not be surprised to discover some new problems in the future.

Is this desiccant contamination issue unique to Haldex air dryer systems?  I know some coaches use Bendix dryers.  Are they better?

Jim
Jim McNeece
2003 U320 40'
2017 Chevy Colorado Tow

Re: Haldex air drier

Reply #5 –
Jim

I have no idea what is better. 

Thanks for the ideas guys- these are great machines and complex too, but I wouldn't trade it for any SOB  ( been there, done that).

Ted
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: Haldex air drier

Reply #6 –
Just changing out the filters is an easy job.  The large black can is removed like an oil filter (need large filter wrench) then the coalescing filter lifts out.  Rebuilding is also pretty straight forward.  Make sure that you follow the instructions exactly though.

Here is a link to them on Barry Beam's site.

Filter change:
http://www.beamalarm.com/Documents/haldex-air-dryer-replacement-instructions.html

When I purchased my coach I was talking with Keith at MoT, who has worked on Foretravels for many years, and his advise was "If you don't do anything else to the coach at least change the Haldex filter regularly".

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Haldex air drier

Reply #7 –
Don't mean to steal this post, but can someone tell me the replacement number for a Bendix Air Dryer cartridge? The only umber I see w/o removing is 103388. This might be the original cartridge. If so does the air dryer need rebuild or replacement. Again if so, what would be the new replacement number?
Thanks and again I apologize for jumping in.
Jerry
'91 U240 GV / 36'
CAT 3208 w/Allison MT 643  4 speed
'10 Ford Flex

Growing old is mandatory
Growing up is optional

Re: Haldex air drier

Reply #8 –

Jerry,

On my coach this is the kit I used.  Part numbers shown.

Amazon.com: Haldex Midland DQ6026 General Service Kit: Automotive

Keith

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Haldex air drier

Reply #9 –
Jimmy,

First question is what series Bendix dryer is it.  And, as Michelle said,  if the dryer is many years old, you are better off using a Bendix reman unit that will have not only new filters, but check valves, heater, etc.

Bendix AD-9 is a very popular dryer and may be what you have and/or what would fit to replace your original.
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: Haldex air drier

Reply #10 –
Brett,
How can I tell ahat series dryer I have? I believe it is the original '91.  The AD-9 appears to look the same as mine.
Thanks for your help.
Jerry
'91 U240 GV / 36'
CAT 3208 w/Allison MT 643  4 speed
'10 Ford Flex

Growing old is mandatory
Growing up is optional

Re: Haldex air drier

Reply #11 –
Should either have a tag on it or numbers.  Any truck place can use the tag/numbers to look it up.
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: Haldex air drier

Reply #12 –
Thanks Brett
'91 U240 GV / 36'
CAT 3208 w/Allison MT 643  4 speed
'10 Ford Flex

Growing old is mandatory
Growing up is optional