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Topic: Air leak (Read 569 times) previous topic - next topic

Air leak

When parked in travel mode the right side will leak down and lower. The right rear leaks down in three days and the right front in a week. Is there a common point where this leak is occurring?
Rick and Julie
Grand Villa
Build #4689
1995 4000 U280SE WTBI
8.3L 300HP Cummins

Re: Air leak

Reply #1 –
You are not in "Travel Mode" when you are parked.  When parked, you are either in "Auto Level" mode, or the leveling system is turned completely off. 

If you are in "Auto Level" mode, the leveling system should compensate for the right side dropping by letting air out of the left side to maintain level.  When the system can no longer compensate by releasing air from the left side (IE one of the front corners has less than 10 psi in the bags) then the system will attempt to maintain level by using the HWH aux air pump to add pressure to the appropriate side or corner.

The only thing in common between the "right rear" and the "right front" air bags is the fact that they connect to the HWH 6-pack manifolds...one in the rear and one in the front.

You can either live with the leaks (which IMO are not excessive) or you can chase them.  Use kids bubble solution to check the air line connections at the bags and at the 6-pack.  Check the 6-packs for external leaks around the solenoid valves.  If no leaks evident, next logical step is to rebuild the 6-packs using the kits available from Tom McCloud.  Email or PM Tom if you wish to purchase kits.  You need one kit for each manifold.

Replica HWH Plungers Redux

https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=profile;u=4660




1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Air leak

Reply #2 –
Rick, I finally bit the bullet and overhauled both front and back 6 packs with parts from Tom (see link in chucks post)
coach has been raised in my shop for over 2 weeks and hasn't lowered any.  I put safety blocks in frame and coach hasn't set down on blocks yet.
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Air leak

Reply #3 –
Chris
How difficult was it to do the six packs?
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Air leak

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
You are not in "Travel Mode" when you are parked.  When parked, you are either in "Auto Level" mode, or the leveling system is turned completely off. 

If you are in "Auto Level" mode, the leveling system should compensate for the right side dropping by letting air out of the left side to maintain level.  When the system can no longer compensate by releasing air from the left side (IE one of the front corners has less than 10 psi in the bags) then the system will attempt to maintain level by using the HWH aux air pump to add pressure to the appropriate side or corner.

The only thing in common between the "right rear" and the "right front" air bags is the fact that they connect to the HWH 6-pack manifolds...one in the rear and one in the front.

You can either live with the leaks (which IMO are not excessive) or you can chase them.  Use kids bubble solution to check the air line connections at the bags and at the 6-pack.  Check the 6-packs for external leaks around the solenoid valves.  If no leaks evident, next logical step is to rebuild the 6-packs using the kits available from Tom McCloud.  Email or PM Tom if you wish to purchase kits.  You need one kit for each manifold.

Replica HWH Plungers Redux

https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=profile;u=4660





Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
You are not in "Travel Mode" when you are parked.  When parked, you are either in "Auto Level" mode, or the leveling system is turned completely off. 

If you are in "Auto Level" mode, the leveling system should compensate for the right side dropping by letting air out of the left side to maintain level.  When the system can no longer compensate by releasing air from the left side (IE one of the front corners has less than 10 psi in the bags) then the system will attempt to maintain level by using the HWH aux air pump to add pressure to the appropriate side or corner.

The only thing in common between the "right rear" and the "right front" air bags is the fact that they connect to the HWH 6-pack manifolds...one in the rear and one in the front.

You can either live with the leaks (which IMO are not excessive) or you can chase them.  Use kids bubble solution to check the air line connections at the bags and at the 6-pack.  Check the 6-packs for external leaks around the solenoid valves.  If no leaks evident, next logical step is to rebuild the 6-packs using the kits available from Tom McCloud.  Email or PM Tom if you wish to purchase kits.  You need one kit for each manifold.

Replica HWH Plungers Redux

https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=profile;u=4660


Thanks for the education. I have given the rear system a bubble bath. Only leak I detected was a very, very slight leak at right rear dump valve on the six pack.
A new oring cured that issue. I have yet to check the front. Also thanks for the contact for the six pack rebuild kits.


Rick and Julie
Grand Villa
Build #4689
1995 4000 U280SE WTBI
8.3L 300HP Cummins

Re: Air leak

Reply #5 –
Just remember that checking for leaks at the 6 pack will only show leaks at the connections and solenoid.  It won't show leaks that occur through the solenoid.  That is where the rebuild kits help by replacing the worn guts which can allow leak throughs.
When I had a Newell with WAY more air systems and complexity one of the guys there built a test rig that we copied.  It's two 1/4" tees with a pressure gauge on each, a ball valve in the middle connecting the 2 tees, then a fitting with a short piece of 1/4" tubing on each end.  The idea is to disconnect the tubing at the 6 pack and add the test fitting.  Then you can isolate the air bags from the 6 pack solenoid to determine which side is leaking.  It may be overkill but can help to determine where your leak is.  It can also be used on any other air system.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Air leak

Reply #6 –
In addition to doing the six pack rebuilds with Tom's kits, I also had to replace 2 of the pressure switches that are mounted on the six packs. My pressure switches were leaking from between the brass lower portion and the plastic/synthetic upper half. I purchased the Nason switches from a distributor that I have posted about in the past.
Bruce & Linda
2004 U295, Build # 6268, ISL400 CAPS
2016 Ford Explorer Sport or 1985 Jeep CJ7