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Topic: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks (Read 4266 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #20 –
Quote from: Twig –
Unless I'm missing something....your problem IS the air dryer. If it doesn't signal the governor, the compressor will not pump air.

Twig might be right - it could be the purge valve sticking on the dryer.  The D2 governor and the dryer must both work properly to maintain air system pressure.  HOWEVER, if I was in your situation, (and having had the pleasurable experience of replacing the air dryer on my coach), I would FIRST focus my attention on the D2.  It is MUCH simpler to replace the D2 than to do almost anything to the dryer.  This thread has a link to the D2 tech info:
Air Compressor With the D2 Bendix Governor

Bypassing is simple once you have the parts. Join the 2 large lines together and plug off the line from the governor and you should air up whether you have leaks or not.

Some (better mechanics than I) might consider "Bypassing" simple - I did not find it so easy.  If you decide to go this route, this thread might help: 
Air Dryer Bypass Demo

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #21 –


Update.. 

I called the storage lot,  today was the deadline it had to be moved..

She knew I was there all day yesterday till dark working on it..  Told her I'd like to send her some money via credit card over the phone, said I have it running now, but the air suspension and air brakes are leaking and will require more time.  She took my $145. for another month and reiterated the owner of the property wants that space now.  I guess because she saw me there so many times in the last 2 weeks making an effort, She decided to work with me.  What a huge albatross off my shoulders... She was actually very polite and friendly on the phone, unlike the vibe I encountered two weeks ago !

The dryer will be the first thing I address on Monday or Tuesday..

I bought a new Bendix Governor, I may as well install it too.
I can put a cheater pipe on the D2 Governor next to the compressor, the bolts are extremely tight..
 If they should snap off,  I don't see an issue of just letting it hang, suspended by the two lines running to it.. or securing it elsewhere.. there isn't a lot of room to work with it..  the top line comes off pretty easy..  the bottom intake line wont come off till I unbolt the D2 Governor from the compressor.

I removed the quarter panel of the coach covering the passenger side of the Detroit motor yesterday..  it gave me better access to the dryer and motor... it's installed next to the power steering pump.
It will  be much easier to change the oil and filters now with the panel off.  The docking light wasn't even wired up ... Someone has obviously removed it before.. some of the stainless screws were missing.

Mark

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #22 –
Mark when you have your 110 compressor running is your key on ? On my 92  I can air up my tanks but if I don't turn my key on it will not air up my bags.

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #23 –
Mark, glad to see you removed panel as some owners seem to refuse doing that and yet it makes life so much easier to work on things. I have full body paint but do not let that stop me. Goog luck on it all. The tow guys can relaese the brakes mechanically and pull it out and then tow. maybe life would be a lot smoother if you did get it home regardless off the extra time you now have at storage. Things allways seem to go better when you have everything handy and not having to drive back and forth.
JohnH

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #24 –
Quote from: Andy 2 –
Mark when you have your 110 compressor running is your key on ? On my 92  I can air up my tanks but if I don't turn my key on it will not air up my bags.

Well, that's interesting...  no, I didn't have the key on with just the 110 compressor running.. but I did have the Detroit actually running for a while as to try to utilize both compressor's..  so, the key was on that time, but stil to no avail  ::)  thanks

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #25 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
Mark, glad to see you removed panel as some owners seem to refuse doing that and yet it makes life so much easier to work on things. I have full body paint but do not let that stop me. Goog luck on it all. The tow guys can relaese the brakes mechanically and pull it out and then tow. maybe life would be a lot smoother if you did get it home regardless off the extra time you now have at storage. Things allways seem to go better when you have everything handy and not having to drive back and forth.
JohnH

Thanks John,  but what about the suspension not being aired up? it doesn't need be, to be towed?

Mark

Yes, the hundred plus mile round trip is exhausting.. 

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #26 –
My 1990 U280 has the 110v compressor as well.  It does air up the air bag suspension without the key on.  The only requirement on mine is that the 12V master switch located just inside the entrance door must be on for the compressor to run--- it has a 12V control circuit. 
Glad you got the extra time.  If you can find the air leak and get her aired up, life will become much simpler.  Then if you have no dragging brakes, you should be able to drive her home.

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #27 –
Mark, Soak all those bolts on the D2 with some kind of penetrant to loosen them up.
Gary B

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #28 –
You can't just let the governor hang  it has ports in the body and  a gasket where it mounts.Look at your new one. Remove the air lines and heat the bolts with a propane torch and then try and loosen.

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #29 –
Spray the bolts with PB Blaster, wait 15 minutes, tap them with a hammer and they will probably come loose.  PB Blaster is good stuff!

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #30 –
Quote
  You can't just let the governor hang it has ports in the body and a gasket where it mounts
The D2 governor mounting is very versatile.  Ours is not mounted with a gasket and could be temporarily hung with a cable tie.  We have small air lines that connect to the D2, which is fixed to our coach frame with bolts.
We also did not leave the exhaust port open for dirt or water to enter.  We put hose barb in the exhaust port and hung about 2' of hose facing down, with an open end for D2 to breath.  Others have used a bronze filter in the exhaust port.

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #31 –
I made a double ended fitting with a ball valve to backfill with an external compressor. Uses the tire fill air line. Gary Omel idea

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #32 –
 Mark, we are 2 or 3 hrs behind you so replies are a bit later in morning. Yes you do need clearance between tires and underbody but also if you can get a truck with a low boy flat deck it can be towed that way. They put ours on one this Jan so check and see ..
JohnH

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #33 –
Here is a video on how to "Cage" the rear brakes to release for towing. This will allow the coach to be winched onto a flatbed. This can be done even if the tires are rubbing in the wheel well.

How to cage an air brake
 

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #34 –
Bypass the dryer and install a new governor. You'll get air if the engine is running. Enough to hear if you have a major leak.

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #35 –
Peter,
Very good video on cageing an air brake.
A very clear picture of what goes on inside the rear brake cans.
JD

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #37 –
Quote from: Mark of Houston –
Is this something new?
I  remember the big rigs idling all night
in the truck stops when I was younger..
Mark

Mark,

Many old wives tales have ruined or shortened the life of engines and transmissions. We had frequent Detroit Diesel seminars that focused on many "old school" operational patterns that the factory wanted to eliminate and provide us with the longest, trouble free life they were designed for. Each morning, the rigs were started, pulled out on the ramp and as soon as the air parking brake was applied, the fast idle switched on bringing the engine speed up to 1000 rpm. They were never allowed to slow idle unless we were in traffic.

In cold weather, many operators idled their engines for an extended period or even all night to prevent the fuel from gelling. There are many additives in the fuel or available at parts stores to eliminate this possibility today. Plus, sub-freezing temps and no glow plugs in direct injection diesel may mean no starting in the morning.

Your electronic engine control (DDEC II) has the option of an automatic engine shutdown after 8 minutes of idling. Some companies had this as the default setting to discourage the old practice. The 600 rpm idle will not allow the oil squirters to fill and cool the hollow piston crowns and they will expand wearing the bore once the oil pressure drops. It does also not circulate coolant well enough to keep engine temperature stable in very hot summer weather. Also, carbon will be deposited in the top compression ring groove and can cause the top ring to stick and break. With the new EGR engines, exhaust particulates will also build up on the rings and valve seats possibly cause valve failure.  This is a possible reason for the high horsepower Cummins valve failures. Unless you buy and keep the Pro-Link 9000 installed, the Detroit as installed with the automatic transmission in our coaches does not have a fast idle provision. Too many operators would engage it with the transmission in drive and the Allison computer was not programmed to shift out of drive when the fast idle was engaged. The Pro-Link even warns you twice before going into the 1000 rpm fast idle mode.

On any diesel after a medium to hard pull, engine life can be extended by fast idling (1000 rpm) the engine for several minutes to allow the coolant and oil to cool so heat soak will not damage the engine or coke the turbo. Some of the later coaches have this feature built in to their cruise control. Yours does not.

Pierce

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #38 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Mark,

Many old wives tales have ruined or shortened the life of engines and transmissions. We had frequent Detroit Diesel seminars that focused on many "old school" operational patterns that the factory wanted to eliminate and provide us with the longest, trouble free life they were designed for.

Pierce


Wow Pierce,  what a great explanation..  I had no idea..  and not to mention all the time it took you to type this..

I will copy it to paper and keep it on file.

Much appreciated.. !!!

Mark  ^.^d


Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #39 –
Mark,

You are very welcome. We are all newbies in one subject or another. Our big rigs are very complex, even more so than first appears. Takes a while to come up to speed. Much better to ask questions now than to know it all and later hurt your coach or yourself.

While I learned to type a long while ago, a lot of times my fingers work faster than putting my brain in gear. :D

Pierce