Air Dryer comparison

Topic: Air Dryer comparison (Read 1293 times) previous topic - next topic

Air Dryer comparison

February 15, 2022, 09:10:40 am

I am wanting to replace the Air Dryer on our MH this year, as there is no history on it at all from the previous owner. I am planning to go with an entire unit, vs a kit.
I see there are many threads on the subject, many talking about the Haldex unit, others talking about the alternate Meritor/Webco unit.
Anyone with expereince in both care to discuss pro's vs cons of these two options?

2001 U295

Thanks, Mike

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #1 – February 15, 2022, 10:03:22 am

I can't give you any comparisons, but I can tell you that when I replaced our 1995 U320 air drier I replaced it with a complete rebuilt Haldex unit and it was straightforward and has performed well. I plan to replace our current one with another rebuilt Haldex unit in a few months,

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #2 – February 15, 2022, 11:50:21 am

I replaced ours with a Meritor spin-on type. Actually made next door in Poland, it's excellent quality, inexpensive and can be changed as fast as you can spin the old one off and the new one on once the base and wiring have been fitted. I did have to fabricate a new mount and add a couple of AN fittings but it was easy. See my old posts with photos and Ebay source. You do need a HD strap wrench as the filter is large and on really tight.

Pierce

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #3 – February 15, 2022, 12:11:01 pm

If anyone ends up with a core,let us know,some of us poorboys could use it.

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #4 – February 15, 2022, 12:36:13 pm

Quote from: John44 – February 15, 2022, 12:11:01 pm

If anyone ends up with a core,let us know,some of us poorboys could use it.

At least with the Haldex units, there's usually an $80 core charge when you buy a new unit.

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #5 – February 15, 2022, 12:54:33 pm

I have a free OEM core but it's heavy and I'm in NorCal.

Pierce

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #6 – February 15, 2022, 05:53:03 pm

I did the Haldex unit last year. Straight across swap. Got it from Find It Parts, they had the best price I could find. There was a core deposit, but refunded it when they got the old one back.

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #7 – February 15, 2022, 06:43:08 pm

There shouldn't be a core charge unless you are buying a rebuilt unit. I would question that. It has been very rare that we've had to replace a drier due to failure , do have a unit that the purge valve remains open. We do change cartridges every fall. I did replace the drier on the coach last year as pm, it's not located in as friendly a location as some of the 320's I've seen which is hands on as soon as you open the hatch. We've had Haldex and Wabco and B e n d e x.

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #8 – February 15, 2022, 06:50:24 pm

Quote from: Dub – February 15, 2022, 06:43:08 pm

There shouldn't be a core charge unless you are buying a rebuilt unit. I would question that.

My understanding is that there are no new Haldex units available. I believe all available units have been remanufactured and that's why there is a core charge.

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #9 – February 15, 2022, 06:58:33 pm

David is right the air drier in my coach is isn't made anymore. There is an upgrade for
them. I just finished rebuilding mine as that was the quickest to get going.

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #10 – February 15, 2022, 07:19:01 pm

Quote from: D.J. Osborn – February 15, 2022, 06:50:24 pm

My understanding is that there are no new Haldex units available. I believe all available units have been remanufactured and that's why there is a core charge.

Yes thanks for clarifying. I should have said reman unit

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #11 – February 16, 2022, 08:26:40 am

Thanks for all the input folks.

The one I have is a Haldex N4250, which from what searching I have been doing the appears the commonly talked about DA33100X is a more modern version of if. Just about every source out there is out of stock, though did find a few at some very high prices. Called my local napa, all they said was bring in my old one and they would help me match one up, they keep many in stock otherwise would need to order. $80 core.

I do see, that the lines for mine are very easy to get to for that unfortnuate, maybe never happen Emergency bypass. Which I read about alot, many saying their lines are quite hard to access. I would sort of like to keep that ease as close as possible the way it is, just for the what if.

Pierce, thanks for that info, and yes have read your detailed post. Do you know, is there a cross reference list anywhere that states what WM might be somewhat compatible with the DA33100X?. Your 93 and our 01 I dont know how much similarity there is. MIne mounts to a very large, easily adaptable plate mounted to the large rear cross member. Looking at your pics, I dont see any real obstacle as compared to the mounting of the one I have. I do like the fact that these WM's seem to be available just about everywhere I look, and the easy replaceable cartridge also a plus....Not against a rebuild kit, but as the parts are near the cost of one already done, why not just replace.

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #12 – February 16, 2022, 08:49:06 am

Have you tried MPParts: Parts for Concrete Mixers, Batch Plants, Pump Trucks and more! ? I've had success in the past ordering other items from them.

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #13 – February 16, 2022, 09:13:40 am

Mike,

You need to see if the dryer is compatible with the air compressor you have. Namely does the dryer need to have an isolation valve or not to keep it from pumping oil.
Does your system have an isolation valve at this time with the Haldex N4250 ?

Mike 2

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #14 – February 16, 2022, 09:21:39 am

My coach had been updated with the Haldex PURest dryer. It looks like DA34100 is a replacement for N4250. You'll have to verify. FindIt show it on a 14 day lead time for about $400. Replaceable desiccant cartridge is $138

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #15 – February 16, 2022, 10:15:05 am

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – February 16, 2022, 09:13:40 am

Mike,

You need to see if the dryer is compatible with the air compressor you have. Namely does the dryer need to have an isolation valve or not to keep it from pumping oil.
Does your system have an isolation valve at this time with the Haldex N4250 ?

Mike 2

Just finished putting my reman Haldex in last night. No isolation valve on my 2001 U320... different engine though...so different compressor? It was $320 locally (plus $80 core) - could have gotten it off finditparts for $290 but prefer to keep business local for this kind of stuff.

The 45 and 90 degree fittings on the inlet and outlet were both seized in there completely so had to buy new ones at around $20/ea, so make sure you can get those off before ordering parts.

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #16 – February 16, 2022, 12:12:58 pm

Quote from: Elliott – February 16, 2022, 10:15:05 am

different engine though...so different compressor?

Yes both engine and compressor combination will determine the need for the isolation valve.

Mike

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #17 – February 16, 2022, 12:36:48 pm

Mike2, Good point on the isolation valve, Id need to check and see did not think about that while lying on my back under her in the dark last night. where exactly is it commonly mounted? looking at my pics I took I dont see anything peripheral in /around the dryer itself.

Elliot, the few I found were $290 up to about $750 when I did a search for N4250. Most came back saying the DA33100X met the specs of the N4250. Most sources had out of stock. This is partly why was asking about the alternate as they seem to be available everywhere.

Napa search brings up both.

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #18 – February 16, 2022, 12:54:04 pm

Quote from: mkc1962 – February 16, 2022, 12:36:48 pm

Mike2, Good point on the isolation valve, Id need to check and see did not think about that while lying on my back under her in the dark last night. where exactly is it commonly mounted? looking at my pics I took I dont see anything peripheral in /around the dryer itself.

Here is what you are looking for.
Haldex Midland Isolation Valve KN23500
It should be located directly on the dryer where the inlet hose connects to the dryer.

Mike

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #19 – February 16, 2022, 01:37:22 pm

Mike,

Yep that is what I thought it looked like based on reading some other post's. here is a pic I took last night. If it is supposed to be on the body of the dryer where the hose comes from the Compressor, then mine does not have one.

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #20 – February 16, 2022, 02:20:24 pm

Quote from: mkc1962 – February 16, 2022, 01:37:22 pm

Yep that is what I thought it looked like based on reading some other post's. here is a pic I took last night. If it is supposed to be on the body of the dryer where the hose comes from the Compressor, then mine does not have one.

My understanding is that the coaches from the 1990s (or so) had the Holset compressor that required the isolation valve on the air dryer but that the newer coaches had a different compressor and did not require one. My original Haldex dryer had an external valve but (from memory) I think my replacement Haldex dryer has an internal isolation valve.

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #21 – February 16, 2022, 02:23:20 pm

What you have circled in red is the discharge form the dryer to the wet tank. I can see the other hose that is from the compressor and the isolation valve isn't in that line. There don't appear to be any extra hoses hanging or tied up and plugged. That may be the OEM dryer as it sure looks tired.

Mike

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #22 – February 16, 2022, 02:28:37 pm

Quote from: mkc1962 – February 16, 2022, 01:37:22 pm

Mike,

Yep that is what I thought it looked like based on reading some other post's. here is a pic I took last night. If it is supposed to be on the body of the dryer where the hose comes from the Compressor, then mine does not have one.

What compressor do you have, as far as I know the isolation valve is only needed for the Holset compressor. I don't think that was used much after 99' and only, AFIK, on the ISC's. If you have the Wabco and not the Holset air compressor, I don't think you need it.
Don

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #23 – February 16, 2022, 02:57:07 pm

Quote from: Don & Tys – February 16, 2022, 02:28:37 pm

as far as I know the isolation valve is only needed for the Holset compressor. I don't think that was used much after 99' and only, AFIK, on the ISC's. If you have the Wabco and not the Holset air compressor, I don't think you need it.

Our 1995 U320 (M11 engine) has the Holset compressor but I believe that design was used only in the 1990s.

Re: Air Dryer comparison

Reply #24 – February 16, 2022, 04:56:03 pm

These guys have one in stock.
DA33100X, Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - Haldex N4250, Ford F4HS2A131CA, IHC...

Affiliate Notice