1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Topic: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks (Read 3362 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #25 – April 30, 2015, 11:45:33 pm

Quote from: John Haygarth – April 30, 2015, 11:05:17 pm

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 – May 01, 2015, 03:41:04 am

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 – May 01, 2015, 07:49:07 am

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 – May 01, 2015, 08:17:10 am

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 – May 01, 2015, 08:36:04 am

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 – May 01, 2015, 11:04:10 am

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 – May 01, 2015, 11:30:54 am

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 – May 01, 2015, 11:38:10 am

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 – May 01, 2015, 11:56:36 am

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 – May 02, 2015, 12:15:40 am

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 – May 02, 2015, 08:24:38 am

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 #36 – May 03, 2015, 10:41:23 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – April 30, 2015, 10:44:29 am

Mark,

Don't idle the engine for more than 5 minutes.

Pierce

Is this something new?

I remember the big rigs idling all night
in the truck stops when I was younger..

Mark

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #37 – May 04, 2015, 01:18:51 pm

Quote from: Mark of Houston – May 03, 2015, 10:41:23 pm

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 – May 04, 2015, 03:52:40 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – May 04, 2015, 01:18:51 pm

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

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #39 – May 04, 2015, 05:12:23 pm

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.

Pierce

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #40 – May 04, 2015, 09:29:33 pm

I have the opposite problem, my typing is slower than my brain...

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #41 – May 04, 2015, 11:37:00 pm

I am headed back to Conroe to take another stab at the leak.. first up, try to break the bolts loose
for the Governor, replace it and then see what I can do with the dryer.. someone said there are two filters?

I am assuming one is in the dryer itself.. Try to figure out how it comes apart, remove the filter, clean any crud I see.. measure for bypass pipe ? take parts home.. I would assume freightliner sells whatever I need to bypass the dryer..

Mark

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #42 – May 04, 2015, 11:53:55 pm

Mark, you can't just clean the dryer filter. You must replace it, there is a service kit you can get at NAPA auto parts for it.
Richard B

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #43 – May 05, 2015, 08:22:08 am

Quote from: Mark of Houston – May 04, 2015, 11:37:00 pm

Try to figure out how it comes apart, remove the filter...

Working on the air dryer can be simple, or complicated. I suggest the following steps. First, determine what model dryer is installed on your coach. Take a good look at it - get a couple photos of it, if possible. It might have a identifying decal of some kind, if you are lucky. If not, post the photos here, and someone on the Forum might be able to tell you what model it is. If that doesn't work, you can remove it from the coach and take it to the local NAPA store. They will probably have a filter kit for it (good solution) or they might have a complete remanufactured unit in stock (IMO, the best solution, considering the age of your coach). Also, depending on the model of your dryer, you might have the opportunity to "upgrade" to a newer, more efficient design. Good luck!

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #44 – May 05, 2015, 09:39:17 am

When I have mine parked at the house for a long time, if not in the level mode, it eventually starts to sag low on the rear. I hook up a little pancake compressor to the auxiliary air hose, turn the ignition key on, open the auxiliary air line valve and fill it to 120psi or so. That brings it up although it takes awhile. I guess the onboard 110v compressor could fill the air bags from zero but it would take a really long time. The auxiliary air hose and valve can likely be accessed through the little compartment door behind the entry door.
jor

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #45 – May 05, 2015, 10:32:00 am

My 1990 U280 with 110v compressor in the storage bay will air up the coach to 110lbs in about 5 minutes. All that is necessary is to turn on 12V master switch and the 3rd switch located next to the steps. The key does not have to be on.

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #46 – May 05, 2015, 10:34:25 am

Ok... I should have thought of you tube before.. I'm trying to familiarize myself with the dryer...
Here are two pretty good short videos on the Dryer and one on the Governor.

Sheesh.. the dryer is huge.. I will call NAPA to see what the replacement cost is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAZJuaX1xNM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHGcXvDmZ5E

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #47 – May 05, 2015, 10:36:26 am

Quote from: Kemahjohn – May 05, 2015, 10:32:00 am

My 1990 U280 with 110v compressor in the storage bay will air up the coach to 110lbs in about 5 minutes. All that is necessary is to turn on 12V master switch and the 3rd switch located next to the steps. The key does not have to be on.

Thanks John, there are some switches next to the steps.. I didn't know what they are for..

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #48 – May 05, 2015, 10:45:53 am

Quote from: Mark of Houston – May 05, 2015, 10:34:25 am

Sheesh.. the dryer is huge.. I will call NAPA to see what the replacement cost is...

There should be a core charge involved - you pay one price when you get the replacement, you get $ back when you return the old one. Remanufactured (as long as it's factory-done) will be cheaper and just as good as new. Just so you don't end up needing a fitting, it's usually easier to pay the larger amount then go back with the old unit after you do the replacement to get your core charge back. Our NAPA didn't care if that took several days/weeks; but did ask that we use the same box to return the old one if possible.

Re: 1989 Grandvilla air system and leaks

Reply #49 – May 05, 2015, 10:47:07 am

Master switch = Salesman switch?

My 1999 U320 has 3 switches near the steps. None for air.

Is there a manual switch in a U320 somewhere?

best, paul

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