Air Leak in Driver Overhead LXI

[alustiza]

So I heard a hissing sound in the stereo compartment above the drivers seat and thanks to a couple of people on the forum, they confirmed that there was in fact an air line in that upper compartment, behind all of the stereo stuff, next to the TV. After pulling out all of the black boxes, that being the stereo receiver, DVD player and the Satellite receiver, I discovered that I had to pull out all of the wood trim pieces also in order to get to where the leak was. As you can see from the attached pictures, there is a three-way T valve towards back of the cabinet, towards the front of the coach and this valve I believe sends air to the air horns and probably the air door lock. The valve is covered by a piece of plywood that forms a ceiling in the cabinet, so it is a pain to get to. On the plywood there is a black painted line that the people at Bluebird probably put on the plywood to let anyone know that there is an air line and wire bundle right above the plywood, running the length of the plywood. So in order to get to the valve, I had to take some channel locks and just start digging out the wood. Eventually I was able to clear the plywood from the valve and try to seat the air hose. I was unable to get the air hose disconnected from the valve, so I just managed to push it in enough to stop the leak. If anyone knows how to get the hose out, please chime in. The hose is a fairly large diameter Blue air line and it is a tight fit. I suspect what caused the line to leak is that there is a great deal of foam insulation up there and either it expanded as a result of heat, or the vibration from the cooling fans up there wiggled the line loose. If you do go up there, try to get some of that insulation away from the air line and valve. See the pictures for clarification.

[Dieselbird01]

Originally Posted by alustiza

So I heard a hissing sound in the stereo compartment above the drivers seat and thanks to a couple of people on the forum, they confirmed that there was in fact an air line in that upper compartment, behind all of the stereo stuff, next to the TV. After pulling out all of the black boxes, that being the stereo receiver, DVD player and the Satellite receiver, I discovered that I had to pull out all of the wood trim pieces also in order to get to where the leak was. As you can see from the attached pictures, there is a three-way T valve towards back of the cabinet, towards the front of the coach and this valve I believe sends air to the air horns and probably the air door lock. The valve is covered by a piece of plywood that forms a ceiling in the cabinet, so it is a pain to get to. On the plywood there is a black painted line that the people at Bluebird probably put on the plywood to let anyone know that there is an air line and wire bundle right above the plywood, running the length of the plywood. So in order to get to the valve, I had to take some channel locks and just start digging out the wood. Eventually I was able to clear the plywood from the valve and try to seat the air hose. I was unable to get the air hose disconnected from the valve, so I just managed to push it in enough to stop the leak. If anyone knows how to get the hose out, please chime in. The hose is a fairly large diameter Blue air line and it is a tight fit. I suspect what caused the line to leak is that there is a great deal of foam insulation up there and either it expanded as a result of heat, or the vibration from the cooling fans up there wiggled the line loose. If you do go up there, try to get some of that insulation away from the air line and valve. See the pictures for clarification.

From your picture, it looks like a common push to connect air fitting.

[Tim T.]

Sometimes you can get a little more push on the push ring using an open end wrench to push the ring in. Use a ¼ open end wrench when working on ¼ in tubing, a 3/8 wrench when working on 3/8 tubing...etc. Use the flat part of the open end side of the wrench.

Occasionally, it will feel like you need to have 3 hands to get the tubing out on the 3/8 and larger tubing. Just keep at it. After doing a few you'll get the hang of it.

Sometimes it helps to push in a little on the tubing while your pushing in on the push ring, then pull the tubing out.

[alustiza]

Thanks for the hints Tim, as when it leaks again, I will have to finally remove it and re-cut it.

[rrueckwald]

The "T" for the air horns in the overhead leaked like a sieve on ours. Replaced that fitting and ALL my other air fittings with DOT fittings, which don't leak. The DOT fittings are more expensive, but have a ferrule inside the air tubing that prevents it from leaking if the air tubing is bent sideways. You can identify the DOT fittings by having a brass ring rather than that green plastic ring, and the inside ferrule.

As a result of all that effort, if I valve off my Microphor air toilet, my Gast compressor runs about once every two days. With the Microphor valve open, ...well, you know.

[alustiza]

Thanks for that information Ron. If you remember what size that fitting was in the overhead compartment, for the air horns, that would be of great help, as I'll go ahead and order that DOT fitting.

[rrueckwald]

I can't remember if it was 1/8 or 1/4, but suspect the former. Order several; you will not go wrong replacing others.