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Air Leak or what?

B

bayouhotshot

Seasoned Expediter
take off the bottom air line on the governor on the driver side of the motor take some air and blow it in the line to the tank to see if the air dryer is purging if it dont this way change it its only 3 bolts and is about $50 bucks
 
fortwayne

fortwayne

Not a Member
I got up this morning and decided to purge the tanks again at all three drains. I pulled on them and got air out of two of them but the one is spitting out nothing put oily grease so thick it sticks to my gloves..........what the heck......I guess I should call our shop first thing Monday morning....eeh.
Now out of that one, I get no air - just like I said an oily grease substance.....how dangerous is this to even drive make to Michigan?
Pressure is still good but could a problem developed while I am driving?
 
Moot

Moot

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Keep draining it. That's exactly the kind of gunk and sludge you want to purge from your air system. Apparently the previous driver never drained the tanks. If you feel comfortable disconnecting an air line down stream of the compressor, do so and pour in some isopropyl alcohol or a product like AirGuard. This will dilute the slug and make it easier to expel. Charge the system and drain, drain drain.

Caution: Do not smoke or have an open flame about when draining an air system full of isopropyl alcohol. Trust me on this one!

What is the difference between an open flame and a closed flame?
 
guido4475

guido4475

Not a Member
fortwayne said:
I got up this morning and decided to purge the tanks again at all three drains. I pulled on them and got air out of two of them but the one is spitting out nothing put oily grease so thick it sticks to my gloves..........what the heck......I guess I should call our shop first thing Monday morning....eeh.
Now out of that one, I get no air - just like I said an oily grease substance.....how dangerous is this to even drive make to Michigan?
Pressure is still good but could a problem developed while I am driving?
Click to expand...

The crap that most likely resembles gray pudding coming from your air tanks is a result of a worn out air compressor.The rings are bad in it, allowing antifreeze and oil to mix up, thus giving you the gray sludge pudding stuff coming from your air tanks.It most likely is contaminating everything else as well.I dont think youre going to do much more harm by driving it to michigan than what is already done.

The reason why youre hearing your air compressor cycle every 1.5 minutes is because youre air governor is bad.When the tank pressure gets to the set pressure determined by the govenor (it can be adjusted)it then causes the air dryer to spit the air over the filter(called a dessicant)and shoot any moisture collected on the dessicant out of the purge valve at the bottom of the dryer,which is heated to prevent freezing up.Most trucks have the Bendix AD-9 air dryer, which is the most dependable and reliable.But the changing of the dessicant is time consuming. I prefer the wabco system saver 1000, which has a dessicant that is a spin on, like a oil filter.

My best wishes getting it through the scale house or any dot inspection with this problem, they most likely will misintrepret this as an air leak.

When buying a truck, this is one thing I look at by disconnecting the steel braided hose that comes from the compressor to the dryer to see if any sludge of any kind is evident, and, if so, I walk away from the truck.A ton of problems can result from a poorly maintained air system.Bendix suggests replacing the air dryer dessicant and purge valve every year.
 
bluejaybee

bluejaybee

Veteran Expediter
guido4475 said:
Most trucks have the Bendix AD-9 air dryer, which is the most dependable and reliable.But the changing of the dessicant is time consuming. I prefer the wabco system saver 1000, which has a dessicant that is a spin on, like a oil filter.
Click to expand...

I have never seen a Bendix AD-9 air dryer that didn't have a spin on dessicant element.

http://www.bendixvrc.com/itemDisplay.asp?documentID=5144

Go to page 3 to see which have replacement catridges.
 
guido4475

guido4475

Not a Member
bluejaybee said:
I have never seen a Bendix AD-9 air dryer that didn't have a spin on dessicant element.

http://www.bendixvrc.com/itemDisplay.asp?documentID=5144

Go to page 3 to see which have replacement catridges.
Click to expand...

Maybe I should of been a little more clear and precise on what I said:

In order to get to the spin-on dessicant, you have to remove the cover, which usually has around 8 nuts/bolts, and sometimes 2 of these are shared or used as mounting bolts to hold it to the frame, or whatever it is secured to on the truck.So, pretty much, you have to remove the entire assembly in most cases, to get to the dessicant.
 
fortwayne

fortwayne

Not a Member
WELL HERE IS THE UPDATE-----Was driving through Davenport Iowa when I lost air pressure from about 150 quickly down to 100 and less.

Pulled into a repair shop, and they replaced the air dryer and the air governor, cleaned the air tanks and lines as well.

Pressure reading more normal now in the 125 range rather than that high 150 and all is running good now.

Thanks everyone for the tips - which many of course WERE RIGHT ON THE MONEY!
 
guido4475

guido4475

Not a Member
If you keep your eyes open, or are tight with the parts guy at your freightliner dealer, you can usually get a reman air dryer (AD-9 Bendix) for around $60.00.
 
bluejaybee

bluejaybee

Veteran Expediter
Wow! Guess it was shot from the tanks never being drained. I can see that happening.

And now my governor is acting up. But I have a spare. Guess it is time to use it.

Glad you are back up and running. Stay safe!
 
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