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Transmission Discussion of preventative/corrective maintenance and other technical issues regarding your coach's transmission. |
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#1
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Why does the using the transmission retarder use air from the front brake
air tank? On a recent trip while using the transmission retarder I coasted into a wayside and my front brake air supply went way way down and the low air alarm came on. The rear brake air tank was still above 100 psi. When I stopped the front air tank built up pressure. When ever I use the retarder I always see the front air pressure drop. Is there a problem here or is this normal? When I don't turn on the transmission retarder my brake air pressure stays up. Is there away to keep air pressure up while using the transmission retarder? Thanks for your help. ![]() ![]()
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Alan Fink & Sally Carlson-Fink Waupun, Wisconsin 1989 Blue Bird WB, "Pasture Prime" 2018 F150 4x4 |
#2
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Your retarder uses air to modulate the degree of braking force. It would appear to me that you have a pretty significant leak in that system for you to be losing air at such a rapid rate. If the leak is not occurring at the brake lever near the dash, I suggest getting the coach over a pit, fulling airing up the chassis and then deploying the retarder (engine running, in drive with parking brake set) to see if they can hear air escaping from under the coach somewhere.
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Shane Fedeli 85PT40 Hershey, PA "Savor the wine of youth, for it is a drink that can be consumed only once” shanefedeli@gmail.com 717-645-4912 |
#3
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I don’t think it’s leaking by the lever but I will look and I don’t know anyone with a pit ![]() So I may have to take it in. Thanks
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Alan Fink & Sally Carlson-Fink Waupun, Wisconsin 1989 Blue Bird WB, "Pasture Prime" 2018 F150 4x4 |
#4
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I know for sure on the 93 retarder it uses a small air cylinder on the trans,but i'm thinking your model is different.
Shane?
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DO NOT SEND PM email me at randy@randydupree.com only. Randy Dupree 2000 LXI 43 Bainbridge,Ga. Archer Fl. www.buybyebluebird.com randy@randydupree.com |
#5
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All I know is there's an airline going to the retarder head on the trans... Fortunately, I have not "had to" investigate that component yet! A few years back, I had the local Allison shop rebuild my retarder module for a paltry sum. At that time, it needed a modulator of some sort that had a broken internal spring. My guess is that there's a chafe somewhere in the air line or on a fitting connection.
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Shane Fedeli 85PT40 Hershey, PA "Savor the wine of youth, for it is a drink that can be consumed only once” shanefedeli@gmail.com 717-645-4912 |
#6
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My 91 WB has a small air cylinder like the 93 WB Randy mentioned but since Alan's coach has a retarder hand control it should be more like what Shane described.
Attached is some retarder info from the 88 WB owner's manual - it shows several items that could leak air. With luck it could be as simple as a stop light pressure switch or an Allenair Solenoid.
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John Wyatt Titusville, Florida 1991 40' WLWB-WTB Body Number F095567 My Location: http://www.bbirdmaps.com/user1.cfm?user=4 1991 40' WB ...From 2008 - Present 1984 ½ PT-36 .From 2000 - 2008 1973 FC-31 .....From 1991 - 2001 |
#7
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Tanks John,i have never worked on that system.
But if i were,i would get a shop compressor hooked up and use it to check for leaks,it should be easy to find.
__________________
DO NOT SEND PM email me at randy@randydupree.com only. Randy Dupree 2000 LXI 43 Bainbridge,Ga. Archer Fl. www.buybyebluebird.com randy@randydupree.com |
#8
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Thanks for the information that will help. ![]() ![]() Quote:
Will hooking it to shop air make it leak? Or do I need to have the engine running with the retarder on like Shane mentioned to make it leak. Thanks
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Alan Fink & Sally Carlson-Fink Waupun, Wisconsin 1989 Blue Bird WB, "Pasture Prime" 2018 F150 4x4 |
#9
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I'm not sure if shop air will make it leak or not,i bet it will make some components leak.
first thing i would check in the spring brake cans,i think i see them in the drawing,
__________________
DO NOT SEND PM email me at randy@randydupree.com only. Randy Dupree 2000 LXI 43 Bainbridge,Ga. Archer Fl. www.buybyebluebird.com randy@randydupree.com |
#10
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find an air leak. Do you need to be moving for the retarder system to leak air? If so then how do you find out whats leaking? Maybe I'm not using it correctly......... I have been using it to slow me down and bring me to a stop. Is this the normal way to use it? Should I use it to first slow me down, turn it off and then use the brake to stop me the rest of the way?
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Alan Fink & Sally Carlson-Fink Waupun, Wisconsin 1989 Blue Bird WB, "Pasture Prime" 2018 F150 4x4 |
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