Air leak for front bags

aaronw · #1 05-30-2008

Well, I've had an ongoing problem with my bus and I had a chance to look it over today for the root cause. My problem is after 20 minutes or so my front air bags will be completely flat. New bags, front height valve and still goes down. I could hear a hiss of leaking air from under the bus and I assumed it was a height valve so I replaced it since the bus came with a spare. Today I aired the bus up with shop air and went looking for the leak with the soapy bubbles and stethoscope. I found the source of the hissing at the front suspension "dump valve". It appears to be leaking out of the body of the valve, not at one of the fittings. I looked at the air system schematics in the parts manual and this part is called "Valve, Quick release" no other description. It has three ports on it and a vent on the bottom with a small screen in it. The valve itself is bolted together top and bottom with phillips screws. I need some help in locating a part number for this valve or some sage advice on how to proceed with repairing this. The bus will maintain air spring pressure as long as the engine is running, but for how long?????
Thanks for any help.

Fred Hulse · #2 05-30-2008

That valve has a Haldex number on it and should ba available at any NAPA store

aaronw · #3 05-31-2008

Thanks Fred! Will look at it this morning.

BCRoamer · #4 06-01-2008

Not sure what year your coach is, but on my '93 there are several electric/air control valves in the front electrical compartmant. This part of the air system uses 1/8" black hose (it looks like about 12 gage wire). My front suspension was leaking as well as the air control to the fresh air intake. My leak was in the press-to-seal fitting on a Parker-Hannifin electric/air valve. The fitting is a 10-32 fitting the screws into the valve and then the 1/8" press-to-seal fitting.

I found a local Parker-Hannifin dealer in the LV area and they were very helpful getting all the parts I needed.

In my quest to stop all air leaks I have been in every corner of the coach and found more "things" that run on air pressure than I could imagine. Example; the cloths dryer vent is air driven. I now have it so that with the suspension up or down my compressor comes on for about 5 minutes every two days. We open a close the stepwell cover every night.

aaronw · #5 06-01-2008

My coach is an 86 FCRB. The valve in question that is leaking does not have any electrical connections, only air. Will get a look at it for a part number this week. Thanks for the replies.

iamflagman · #6 06-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronw

My coach is an 86 FCRB. The valve in question that is leaking does not have any electrical connections, only air. Will get a look at it for a part number this week. Thanks for the replies.

Here are a some pdf files found on the forum that may help you out, so that we are all talking about the correct part,

This one will give you some pictures of both the height control valve and the dump valve, so that you can properly identify where the problem actually is at;

Wanderlodge Owners Group > Mechanic's Corner

Tires, Brakes and Suspensions > HALDEX AIRIDE VALVE.pdf

This one has a description of the dump valve under GENERAL INFORMATION;

Wanderlodge Owners Group > Mechanic's Corner

Tires, Brakes and Suspensions > HALDEX HEIGHT CONTROL VALVE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.pdf

This one tell you how to identify the two different types of DUMP VALVES under NOTES;

Wanderlodge Owners Group > Mechanic's Corner

Tires, Brakes and Suspensions > HALDEX DUMP VALVE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.pdf
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aaronw · #7 06-01-2008

Thanks John, I looked at all those files and none of it looks like what I have. I think I'll shimmy under there and take a picture to post it here.

JackandLiz · #8 06-02-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCRoamer

........In my quest to stop all air leaks I have been in every corner of the coach and found more "things" that run on air pressure than I could imagine. Example; the cloths dryer vent is air driven. I now have it so that with the suspension up or down my compressor comes on for about 5 minutes every two days. We open a close the stepwell cover every night.

...

Howdy.
We have a 1993 Wanderlodge, too. That clothes dryer vent is a PITA. I am curious though. Why do you open and close the stepwell cover every night?

TIA,
Liz

aaronw · #9 06-02-2008

Here is an attached photo of the part that is leaking in the front suspension of my coach.
I believe it to be the front air bag dump valve. The schematic calls it a quick release valve.

Any clues?? Does it look like a standard quick release valve??

Thanks for looking!!

aaronw · #10 06-02-2008

Oh, I failed to mention that this valve is not the height control valve, but it is plumbed into the height control valve and then into the front bags.