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Rodent chewed hidden air line

Rodent chewed hidden air line:

We have either a rat or mouse or more than one in our coach basement here on the Oregon coast.  We move again on Sunday, up to Newport Oregon.

 In the passenger side invertor compartment it chewed through a plastic container with dry cat food in it, and droppings left in the compartment.  I bought 2 rat traps and 2 mouse traps and have them in 2 compartments (sewer bay and inverter bay).

In the opposite driver side compartment is the 12 volt air compressor and manifold blocks that feed to the front and rear air bladders,

The air line coming out of the top of the manifold block for the front bladder is leaking air quite fast, but is hidden where it goes behind wall boards.  These wall boards are loaded with electrical components and wiring, so no easy access. I know it is this airline because if I gently pull and push this airline the volume of the leak changes.

The air compressor runs about every 4-5 minutes.  Turning the air cut off valves to off position at top of manifolds does not stop the leak or the compressor running. (see pics for mainfold block and cut offs.).

 I have pulled the fuse on the 12 volt air compressor, and both slide bladders are still inflated with it off.  The air leak ends a few minutes ater the compressor is turned off (no air left in that line at that point).

The front slide bladder (and the rear) still deflate and inflate (so far). 

In the pics, behind the blue tape where the two sidewalls meet is where the airline disappears into.  Does it go into the center tray? 


Anyone know how the airline runs from the manifold to the front slide bladder?  Any advice at how to replace this line?  If I am unable to do it myself, I wll try for a appointment at Oregon Motorhome Service in Eugene Oregon (a authorized Foretravel center).

Greatly appreciate any info, advice, photos, etc.

Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Rodent chewed hidden air line

Reply #1 –
To add, I am surprised that turning the air cutoff valve does not stop the leak and air compressor running.  I am just "guessing" that the line out of the top of the manifold runs to the slide bladder, not elsewhere.  I do know that turning off the valve prevents the bladder from deflating (tested it on the black valve with the rear bladder).
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Rodent chewed hidden air line

Reply #2 –
I think that is the air supply line from the compressor to that manifold.  The valve isolates the manifold but not the the supply side.  You will have to pull your air schematics.  I think you will find the air goes from the compressor, to the HWH air tank and then to the two manifolds.  You could try clamping off the line near the tank and see if the leak lessens.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: Rodent chewed hidden air line

Reply #3 –
I also found the "phone line" from the Progressive electical management system to the display inside the coach is out (line chewed in half).

I'll need to source the correct line, as phone cords are wired differently.

Update: caught 2 rats, one in inverter compartment, one in sewer bay.

Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Rodent chewed hidden air line

Reply #4 –

Does anyone know if RJ11 Cable -  Modem Cable would be the correct cable from Progressive EMS to display unit?

I have a email into Progressive asking as well.

Edit with info (pic)  from Progressive:, and Amazon link:

Amazon.com: C2G RJ11 Modem Cable for DSL Internet Connection, 15 Foot Long,... 

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Rodent chewed hidden air line

Reply #5 –
Yes, but it depends on how it is pined out.  As in your picture.  Just look at both ends, with the clip down you will be able to tell how it is pinned out.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Rodent chewed hidden air line

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Rich Bowman –
I think that is the air supply line from the compressor to that manifold.  The valve isolates the manifold but not the the supply side.  You will have to pull your air schematics.  I think you will find the air goes from the compressor, to the HWH air tank and then to the two manifolds.  You could try clamping off the line near the tank and see if the leak lessens.

Rich


Went through all my coach documents, and can't find a good complete air diagram (schematic)  for the slideout system (12 v compressor to slideout block manifolds to air tank). I have also never seen the HWH air tank under the coach.  Any hints how to locate it?

It's been raining  here on the Oregon coast since I found the air leak prblem, so troubleshooting has not been in depth in/under the coach.  This is not a level site, so can't really block up the coach to go under rig now.

I agree it must be supply side air leak since the air bladders on both slides are still fully inflated, and air leak lasts a while when I run the compressor then pull the fuse..

What size air tubing should I buy in advance to attempt connectiong the leaking tubing and pulling from end to end (pulling new tubing with old tubing).  Also any fitting I should get in advance (especially to connect old tubing to new tubing).

Possibly once I disconnect the far end, I will be able to pull enough tubing at the block manifold to observe the chewed section and put a connector on the current tubing.

I'll go to the HWH site and see what I can find for info on the site.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Rodent chewed hidden air line

Reply #7 –
Quote from: turbojack –
Yes, but it depends on how it is pined out.  As in your picture.  Just look at both ends, with the clip down you will be able to tell how it is pinned out.

Unable to find RJ11 data cables here in Florence Oregon, so I ordered 2 new  RJ11 Cables from amazon. No Amazon lockers at next location, so I'm shipping it to my mail forwarder in South Dakota, arriving next Thursday, I'll then have forwarder ship to general delivery in Newport Oregon. 

Since neither EMS display is working (in bay nor inside coach) I expect to find the damaged wiring is from the Progressive EMS to the switching device in the sewer bay.

Runs from Progressive unit to sewer bay switch, with switch giving choice of display in basement or inside coach.

Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Rodent chewed hidden air line

Reply #8 –
My HWH tank is located in front of the front axle in the center of the coach, near the other two brake tanks. Slightly smaller in size.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: Rodent chewed hidden air line

Reply #9 –
Fixed slide bladder/ 12 volt compressor air line leak.  In pic attached, front storage compartment, dropped center roof section exposing wiring and 1/4" air lines. 

Used a combiner to put new line to invertor compartment block manifold for the slide bladder.  Used about 3 foot new line, combined to old that runs forward.  Saved going under the coach to find the other end.

If the rodent had chewed all the way through we would have been unable to deflate/inflate slide bladders.  Looks like it chewed the outer layer, enough to start air leak which scared the critter away.

Before we moved to this new location, I caught a 3rd rat in the wet bay. Still have multiple traps set for the past couple of days, believe no critters left.

Still waiting for RJ11 data cable being shipped to fix the datat line for the progressive EMS display(s).

Note: Rich was correct, it does look like this line runs to the HWH air tank under the coach.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Rodent chewed hidden air line

Reply #10 –
Quote from: AC7880 –
Fixed slide bladder/ 12 volt compressor air line leak.  In pic attached, front storage compartment, dropped center roof section exposing wiring and air lines. 

Used a combiner to put new line to invertor compartment block manifold for the slide bladder.  Used about 3 foot new line, combined to old that runs forward.  Saved going under the coach to find the other end.

If the rodent had chewed all the way through we would have been unable to deflate/inflate slide bladders.  Lokks like it shewed the outer are, enough to start air leak which scared the critter away.

Before we moved to this new location, I caught a 3rd rat in the wet bay. Still have multiple traps set for the past couple of days, beleive no critters left.

Still waiting for RJ11 data cable being shipped to fix the datat line for the progressive EMS display(s).

Note: Rich was correct, it does look like this line runs to the HWH air tank under the coach.

Forgot to load the pic.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Rodent chewed hidden air line

Reply #11 –
Quote from: AC7880 –
Still waiting for RJ11 data cable being shipped to fix the datat line for the progressive EMS display(s).

If you can procure the proper crimp tool and connectors, you might be able to cut the existing data line (unplug from the EMS first) and put new ends on it and click them together, basically making a splice repair.  Probably easier than pulling a new line...
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Rodent chewed hidden air line

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Michelle –
If you can procure the proper crimp tool and connectors, you might be able to cut the existing data line (unplug from the EMS first) and put new ends on it and click them together, basically making a splice repair.  Probably easier than pulling a new line...


No access to the cut part without pulling all the way out from both ends, so even if patched I will still have to pull wire end to end.

It does look difficult to run the wire. I may try and push the leftover air tubing through and use that as a wire pull.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Rodent chewed hidden air line

Reply #13 –
Glad you found the leak.  While you are futzing with the HWH air system, it would be a good idea to open the tank drain valve and check for water in the system.  Just like you do with the wet tank for the brakes.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15