Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Topic: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention... (Read 3897 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #25 – December 29, 2010, 04:38:54 pm

Quote from: Don Hay – December 29, 2010, 04:30:22 pm

Quote
Michelle's Quote: "Same here - whatever's in the maintenance schedule book. I'm just curious how far beyond that such an issue might occur.

A local mechanic told me to check the "wet" air tank (in front of the driver's rear dual tires) frequently, and as long as it stayed free of moisture your air dryer was still doing its job. I closely kept track of the wet tank, but after 4 years, I decided to change it out anyway. The old (AD4) was still good, but who knew for how much longer?

Don,

Can I spin off the canister and take a look or is the canister like the engine air filter in that once you take it off, you have to replace it?

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #26 – December 29, 2010, 04:40:41 pm

Quote from: Russell – December 28, 2010, 11:49:50 am

Donald:
/snip/
I was able to pick up the DQ6020 (Major Repair Kit) from NAPA this AM and will try to further disassemble the air dryer when it warms up.

Russell: Ballpark price of the kit?

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #27 – December 29, 2010, 05:04:27 pm

Quote from: George Stoltz – December 29, 2010, 04:40:41 pm

Quote from: Russell – December 28, 2010, 11:49:50 am
Donald:
/snip/
I was able to pick up the DQ6020 (Major Repair Kit) from NAPA this AM and will try to further disassemble the air dryer when it warms up.

Russell: Ballpark price of the kit?

Ryder Fleet Products $37.67
Haldex-Midland Kit major dryer DQ6020

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #28 – December 29, 2010, 05:09:02 pm

George,

Others more knowledgeable will have to give you a definitive answer, but my AD9 has at least 8 nuts at the base, and 2 wide bands around the cannister that have to be loosened. In our coach, the dryer is tucked away in the far passenger-side corner of the engine compartment behind the hydraulic reservoir for the power steering pump. The only way to get clear access to the dryer is to drop it out of the bottom of the compartment. Not an easy task in the '92 U-280.

My impression has been that the outer cannister just protects the other components (heater, dessicant, purge valve, etc.), so I don't know why it would hurt to open it up, but again, others on this forum are more qualified to answer this.

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #29 – December 29, 2010, 08:34:29 pm

Michelle:

I can't say how long since the last dryer service, since we've only had the coach for 3 years and I don't have access to the previous service records. I really wish I knew. It would have been so easy to remove the desiccant and save hour upon hour of cleaning up the mess. (It really was bad.) I just know, that I wouldn't let it go any more than a year without at least checking the desiccant canister in the future.

George:
DQ6020 (Major Repair Kit) is about $40 bucks, but you shouldn't need to change that one if the desiccant canister and coalescing filter are changed regularly.

DQ6026 (Air Dryer Cartridge plus repair kit) is about $135.

and one thing further George, if it were me, I'd only change the desiccant canister and coalescing filter, unless I found something to indicate further investigation.

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #30 – December 29, 2010, 08:48:25 pm

Russell,

Based on your experience, is it safe to remove the cover and look at the desiccant and coalescing filter? The last time I just happened to look at a filter it was the engine air filter and it cost we about $125 to replace a filter that was about 6 weeks old because I am told that filter if removed MUST be replaced. My current desiccant and coalescing filter are 28 months old.

I am not trying to put you on the spot, just want to know your opinion.

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #31 – December 29, 2010, 09:22:04 pm

George, I honestly don't know the Haldex answer. I just know that if it were me, I'd remove the cartridge to check it out. And quite frankly, given the mess that I had, and the time and effort it's cost me, I'd gladly have paid the price of a new canister to have avoided this headache.

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #32 – December 29, 2010, 09:30:46 pm

Quote from: Russell – December 29, 2010, 09:22:04 pm

George, I honestly don't know the Haldex answer. I just know that if it were me, I'd remove the cartridge to check it out. And quite frankly, given the mess that I had, and the time and effort it's cost me, I'd gladly have paid the price of a new canister to have avoided this headache.

I think I will call Mike Rogers at MOT and ask him.

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #33 – December 30, 2010, 01:24:22 am

George, Let us know what you find out.

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #34 – December 30, 2010, 12:25:44 pm

Quote from: Dick S – December 30, 2010, 01:24:22 am

George, Let us know what you find out.

I spoke with Mike Rodgers this morning while driving from Clarkesville, GA to Valdosta, GA. Mike said they are now recommending that the desiccant and coalescing filter be changed annually. Mike also told me something else very important: to open the valve on the air tank in front of the rear wheels. This is absolutely something I would not have done.

A subsequent note of clarification here: When Mike told me to open the valve, he did so to tell me to do this as a safety measure before I service the Haldex Air Dryer. He was not instructing me to check the air for moisture. Sorry, my original post was not clear on that point

Because we are at 28 months I am going to service the unit. While the air coming out of the bleed valve is dry, I see no reason to push my luck -- especially after Russell Lantier's experience.

Without ForeForums I would be making a lot more errors and spending a lot of money needlessly. Thank you all.

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #35 – December 30, 2010, 01:35:25 pm

Quote

George Stoltz's Quote: "Mike also told me something else very important: to open the valve on the air tank in front of the rear wheels. This is absolutely something I would not have done."

George, this is in line with my previous comment: " A local mechanic told me to check the "wet" air tank (in front of the driver's rear dual tires) frequently".

Over the years, there have been previous threads mentioning checking the wet tank on the Yahoo Group.

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #36 – December 30, 2010, 01:53:54 pm

Quote from: Don Hay – December 30, 2010, 01:35:25 pm

George Stoltz's Quote: "Mike also told me something else very important: to open the valve on the air tank in front of the rear wheels. This is absolutely something I would not have done."

George, this is in line with my previous comment: " A local mechanic told me to check the "wet" air tank (in front of the driver's rear dual tires) frequently".

Over the years, there have been previous threads mentioning checking the wet tank on the Yahoo Group.

Don,

I am well aware of some of those discussions and I have been pretty good about bleeding air from that valve. However, I am not one to wait until the Haldex air dryer system needs to be serviced. If MoT recommends annual servicing and I am at 28 months, then I am in favor of doing the servicing now. As to letting air out of the tank before performing the Haldex service -- I had not idea this would be necessary. I don't know if I could have been hurt or could have damaged something. But in either case, I am glad that Mike took the time to walk me through the steps.

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #37 – December 30, 2010, 02:29:40 pm

Quote from: George Stoltz – December 30, 2010, 01:53:54 pm

As to letting air out of the tank before performing the Haldex service -- I had not idea this would be necessary.

That makes it more clear as to what you meant. The earlier post sounded more like Mike was reminding you to check the wet tank. Relieving the air pressure on the system before tackling the air dryer maintenance is of course necessary. REMEMBER to have your coach on a perfectly level site and CHOCK THE WHEELS so the coach can't roll when you do this.

Michelle

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #38 – December 30, 2010, 02:43:58 pm

Quote from: Steve & Michelle – December 30, 2010, 02:29:40 pm

Quote from: George Stoltz – December 30, 2010, 01:53:54 pm

As to letting air out of the tank before performing the Haldex service -- I had not idea this would be necessary.

That makes it more clear as to what you meant. The earlier post sounded more like Mike was reminding you to check the wet tank. Relieving the air pressure on the system before tackling the air dryer maintenance is of course necessary. REMEMBER to have your coach on a perfectly level site and CHOCK THE WHEELS so the coach can't roll when you do this.

Michelle

Thanks, Michelle.

I try to write so that others will clearly understand. This is sooooo important. Thanks for informing me of the need to chock the wheels. Once again. I probably would not have thought of this.

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #39 – December 30, 2010, 04:20:37 pm

Now I'm a little confused? The service brakes will not work without an air-source, but the coach should not be able to move, as without air-pressure the park-brake is "set". Or am I missing something? When our air-dryer failed on the road, we were unable to move the coach until I plumbed around the Halidex unit.

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #40 – December 30, 2010, 04:34:16 pm

Chad,
I think you're right about the brakes. Not only is the "Park" feature enabled, but all brake positions will be locked w/o 60 psi pressure available to release the brakes. I believe the level ground is sound advice. Chocking the tires is always advisable...no harm done.

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #41 – December 30, 2010, 04:58:20 pm

Quote from: Chad and Judy – December 30, 2010, 04:20:37 pm

Now I'm a little confused? The service brakes will not work without an air-source, but the coach should not be able to move, as without air-pressure the park-brake is "set". Or am I missing something?

Technically, you're right, but one should never rely on the parking brake exclusively, especially when working on the vehicle and having no way to activate the service brakes as an auxiliary measure. Depending on the slope, condition of the mating surfaces, etc., a coach CAN move even if the parking brake is set. I've seen it first hand. Better safe than sorry

Michelle

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #42 – December 30, 2010, 05:00:56 pm

Lil Note;
The only park brakes / emergency brakes are the double chanber units on the drive axle.
The front wheels and tag axle brakes are the single chamber, non parking brake type.
They also only operate from the foot brake valve, this is the front and tag, not from the emergency nor park circuit.
Happy New Year

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #43 – December 30, 2010, 05:38:13 pm

Quote from: Dave M – December 30, 2010, 05:00:56 pm

Lil Note;
The only park brakes / emergency brakes are the double chanber units on the drive axle.
The front wheels and tag axle brakes are the single chamber, non parking brake type.
They also only operate from the foot brake valve, this is the front and tag, not from the emergency nor park circuit.
Happy New Year

Dave,
Thanks for the clarification. To amplify and not leave any doubt for the foot brake actuated air brakes...are these locked in the brake on position in the absence of air pressure?

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #44 – December 30, 2010, 07:04:36 pm

Actually they won't lock until you dip below 50 psi. BTDT driving home a blown air dryer....

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #45 – December 30, 2010, 07:07:04 pm

Quote from: Dave Head – December 30, 2010, 07:04:36 pm

Actually they won't lock until you dip below 50 psi. BTDT driving home a blown air dryer....

Dave,

What the heck does BTDT mean?

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #46 – December 30, 2010, 07:50:04 pm

Been There Done That (with or w/o the T-shirt)

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #47 – January 01, 2011, 01:47:04 pm

George:

Thanks for the follow up after talking to Mike at MOT.

By the way, did you specifically ask him about replacing the desiccant canister after removing it to examine it?

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #48 – January 01, 2011, 03:44:04 pm

Hi Russell,

Do you happen the remember the size of the Allen wrench used to remove check valve on the bottom of the Haldex air dryer?

Happy New Year

Jim
2002 U320

Re: Pure Air Plus Air Dryer - An Ounce of Prevention...

Reply #49 – January 01, 2011, 03:54:17 pm

Russell,

No. I decided if I were going to order the kit then I'd replace it anyway. He said they recommend an annual replacement so after 28 months I figured I would not fool around with trying to determine if it was still viable. I do not want to go through what you went through.

Happy New Year

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