Air Dryer filter question

Topic: Air Dryer filter question (Read 1591 times) previous topic - next topic

Air Dryer filter question

March 18, 2016, 05:40:55 pm

Not really sure how to check for water in the system. The air dryer filter as I understand should last a long to time. I only only of one spot to drain any water on my 95 uni-coach which is at the rear drivers wheel well. Can someone explain the process so dummy me can understand how to bleed off any moisture?

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #1 – March 18, 2016, 06:01:34 pm

The bleed you located is from the "wet tank".

So, any sign of water or worse white powder, the dryer is non-functional.

The air tank bleed is basically ONE of the report cards to use to determine that the air dryer needs service/replacement.

I recommend a FACTORY (i.e. the factory that made them) reman at 4-5 years, then replace filters after another 3-4. Then factory reman... so that you are alternating factory reman and filter replacements.

The Reman gives you all new parts-- check valves, heater, etc. And, with many dryers, if you factor in labor to rebuild, the factory remans are no more $$.

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #2 – March 18, 2016, 06:08:20 pm

Joe, there is no real method (that I know of) for testing to see if dryer is functioning right, other than open that drain valve and see if any water (vapour mist) comes out. If not you are ok but, do not think they last a long time as you should rebuild every 3 yrs as far as I am concerned because you DO NOT want either water or dessicant in the system or your repair bill is going to be way more than the cost of service for dryer. I do it myself every 3 yrs and it really is not rocket science mat all. You just get your hands dirty!!
Try the drain each morning (needs air in tanks of course) to check and maybe after driving for a few hours. Heat and cold make condensation so this should be a good check for you to see if all is right or not. When was it last serviced??
JohnH

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #3 – March 18, 2016, 06:13:30 pm

Thank you Brett, if I understand you correctly if I get water or white powder then replace air dryer. The process if I understand is to open the valve for a couple of seconds if no moisture then its great. If you get moisture then repeat several times till moisture disappears. I read that the filter should last several hundred thousand miles if properly maintained?

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #4 – March 18, 2016, 06:16:32 pm

John thanks for the reply I don't know when it was serviced. I will ask the original owner. Hopefully he had it serviced as I'm told they are pricey.

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #5 – March 18, 2016, 06:26:13 pm

When I open that valve your referring to behind the left rear wheel moisture comes out. So I need a new dryer filter ?

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #6 – March 18, 2016, 07:04:26 pm

Yes, but try it again and drain ALL the moisture out if possible then try it again next day and see if any still comes out. When was the last time you tried this and last time driven??
You do not want to drive it much without replacing/rebuilding as moisture will affect all the valves etc in air system and cause corrosion of inside of tanks. I seem to remember Scott (RRradio) having to replace a tank due to pitting.
Note to Joe-- cheaper replacing the air Dryer than playing with all the air system to get it clean and dry. Filters etc are about $160 and service kit is extra $100 or so. I usually get them from Ryder Fleet parts online.
JohnH

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #7 – March 18, 2016, 07:57:26 pm

Once again thanks John for your help and info. As you say I might have to spend a little to save a lot.

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #8 – March 18, 2016, 08:10:14 pm

I've been driving about once a month enough to warm up the motor at highway speeds and then it sits. I guess it won't hurt to change. Is this something a novice should attempt. I see the part is showing as haldex DQ 6026 for my model.is that correct?

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #9 – March 18, 2016, 08:11:45 pm

That is for the rebuild kit maybe not a novice repair

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #10 – March 18, 2016, 09:02:49 pm

Skimping on dryer service may be very poor economics.

I did a mechanical inspection a couple of months ago in Nacogdoches. Nice clean coach-- no serious issues from roof to floor level.

Under the coach, working my way forward, opened the wet tank drain. WHITE POWDER came out (desiccant filter material failed).

Now, all valves and components of air brakes and air suspension system are suspect. Many coach bucks to clean the whole air system.

The dryers fail both by time and miles. So, yes in an OTR truck hundreds of thousands of miles. But 3-4 years is still a very good idea independent of mileage.

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #11 – March 18, 2016, 09:26:29 pm

Our's "spits" on warm-up, which I believe is normal. However, it's been six years since service has been done, so I'm going to get it serviced. Not by me! That thing is buried deep!

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #12 – March 18, 2016, 09:33:23 pm

I replaced the air dryer filters soon after we purchased the coach. (about 6 months ago) I check the wet tank drain valve after every short trip (about 2 hrs) and get maybe a teaspoon of water. How do you verify that the heater in the air dryer is working?
Maybe I should replace the dryer with a reman?

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #13 – March 18, 2016, 09:47:56 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – March 18, 2016, 06:01:34 pm

I recommend a FACTORY (i.e. the factory that made them) reman at 4-5 years, then replace filters after another 3-4. Then factory reman... so that you are alternating factory reman and filter replacements.

The Reman gives you all new parts-- check valves, heater, etc. And, with many dryers, if you factor in labor to rebuild, the factory remans are no more $$.

This is what we do; a little bit more frequently (2-3 years alternating between rather than 3-4) but it is a small cost per mile to avoid much bigger issues.

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #14 – March 18, 2016, 10:09:51 pm

FindItParts has the DQ 6026 rebuild kits on sale for $115.00 right now

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #15 – March 18, 2016, 11:46:47 pm

FT recommends dryer service(new filters) every 18 months. I believe that any water or powder out of the wet tank indicates failure, meaning you waited too long. I've never seen either. I only did filter changes every 18 months for 9 years until my dryer suffered an internal failure, telling me I waited too long to follow the other Brett's advice on reman replacement.

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #16 – March 19, 2016, 08:24:59 am

Quote from: mike leary – March 18, 2016, 09:26:29 pm

Our's "spits" on warm-up, which I believe is normal. However, it's been six years since service has been done, so I'm going to get it serviced. Not by me! That thing is buried deep!

Mike, et al;

If doing anything more than a spin on filter, just drain air from system, disconnect the air lines and "bench work" on the dryer. Far less chance of getting dirt in it than working under the coach.

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #17 – March 19, 2016, 12:09:52 pm

I just had a Reman Air Dryer installed - I have not had that done in the 8 years I have owned the coach and who knows what happened before that- could be original. I notice it builds up air pressure faster, keeps better pressure while driving, etc- I am pleased. Brett's idea of installing a factor Reman is right on, as usual. Thanks Brett!!

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #18 – March 19, 2016, 03:11:48 pm

A little bit of moisture each drive cycle would be acceptable. If you have not been doing this every drive cycle there will be more that has accumulated. You need to drain the tank and then see how much water it produces. In more humid climates like around here if you open the valve for three seconds some moisture for the first two seconds is ok. If you are getting streams of water then you need to look closer. Also you need to pay attention to what kind of moisture comes out, air compressors have been known to pass some coolant or oil into the air system.

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #19 – March 19, 2016, 03:33:46 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – March 19, 2016, 08:24:59 am

If doing anything more than a spin on filter, just drain air from system, disconnect the air lines and "bench work" on the dryer. Far less chance of getting dirt in it than working under the coach.

What I learned from running my own business for thirty years, was, " new parts are cheaper than the labor to re-build an old one." ( A big plus on all new, is you're under warranty) I also learned to hire someone who'd done it before, if it was beyond my comprehension.

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #20 – May 26, 2016, 10:53:37 am

Is that one that I can buy to replace my air dryer?

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

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #21 – May 26, 2016, 11:15:41 am

Quote from: jclark93 – May 26, 2016, 10:53:37 am

Is that one that I can buy to replace my air dryer?

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

That is a kit to rebuild the dryer, same one I bought.

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #22 – May 26, 2016, 12:06:42 pm

I seem to recall a upper and lower kit to do a complete rebuild.

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #23 – May 26, 2016, 12:08:30 pm

That's the one I get also

Re: Air Dryer filter question

Reply #24 – May 26, 2016, 12:21:19 pm

Quote from: Lon and Cheryl – May 26, 2016, 12:06:42 pm

I seem to recall a upper and lower kit to do a complete rebuild.

If it's a Haldex Pure Air Plus, here's a post from Jim McNeece that mentions rebuild kit numbers and approximate cost plus the discussion of using a factory remanufactured unit as a sometimes-desired option

Desiccant powder in air system - anybody else with this experience?

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