air line freeze up

[tknight]

I have an m2 feightliner with the mb motor, what is the best method of inserting air line anti-freeze into this system?

thanks
tk

 

[davekc]

Shouldn't be adding anything. Make sure you drain tanks and the air dryer is working properly. If needed, change the cartridge as it may be plugging.

 

[Slo-Ride]

Dave is correct,,In a perfect world and properly maintained air dryer nothing else should be needed where most of us operate.

But just in case you have one of those days when the planets don't align for you this is a real good thing to have..They works great and very easy to fill.Just make sure it gets mounted on the backside of air dryer..Dont let any alcohol hit the air dryer at all..

Haldex

 

[tknight]

I had my air dryer serviced 6 months ago with a new cartridge, my problem was last week in the real cold air, my air bag dump valve froze up and I couldn't get my bags to inflate, they finally did after I wapped the dump valve with a rubber mallet, I drain my tanks of air every few days, especially in humid climates like down south.

 

[greg334]

Isn't the dump valve inside the cab?

 

[paullud]

I released all the air then poured the anti freeze through the glad hand and held it at an incline to cause the anti freeze to run down. I have also taken the line off right at the compressor and poured it in there.

Sent from my ADR6400L using EO Forums

 

[Moot]

Isn't the dump valve inside the cab?

The control for the dump valve is inside the cab.

 

[Moot]

I drain my tanks of air every few days, especially in humid climates like down south.

You probably should be draining the tanks daily.

 

[ghostrider]

Never trust a dryer to be working and drain your tanks every day.

 

[Slo-Ride]

I had my air dryer serviced 6 months ago with a new cartridge, my problem was last week in the real cold air, my air bag dump valve froze up and I couldn't get my bags to inflate, they finally did after I wapped the dump valve with a rubber mallet, I drain my tanks of air every few days, especially in humid climates like down south.

Sounds like it was a stuck valve for 1 reason or another,,dirt,,sludge,,or it may have been a slug of ice?? I doubt draining your tank on this day would have stopped this from happening especially if was already below freezing.
I'm not sure but I think some of the airline antifreeze has a lubricant in it?? The Alcohol Evaporator is really worth the investment.

 

[greg334]

Well I asked because the dump valve for my truck is in the cab, the leveler valve is behind the rear axle and it dumps through the dash valve. I just replace the leveler valve and the air bags on the truck - which was really easy.

 

[Moot]

I believe the most common and practical setup has the dump valve near the height control valve by the bags and axles.

 

[greg334]

I believe the most common and practical setup has the dump valve near the height control valve by the bags and axles.

You are right for most but this little truck of mine and the hundred like it have the stupid thing on the dash.

 

[Moot]

The actual dump valve? So when you dump your air it is exhausted in the cab?

 

[greg334]

oh crap moot, boy I didn't explain it at all... the leveler valve dumps the air through an exhaust port on it, the valve on the dash controls that port and that has an air line to it. This is different than the macks I have where there is a separate valve that is controlled by a switch on the dash.

 

[tknight]

it's a newer truck, you know modern electronic stuff, the actual xolenoid valve is in the rear next to the leveler valve, the switch is in the cab. I am looking on ebay at a few of these evaporator, seems easy enough to plumb in.

 

[Slo-Ride]

I am looking on ebay at a few of these evaporator, seems easy enough to plumb in.

They are easy to plump in. It seems to me they need to be mounted several feet away from air dyer.Like 6 to 8 ft???

The more I think about these evaporators,It seems we had a discussion here or somewhere else about Airline Alcohol and possible damage to modern plastic valves that have wiring attached to them. I cant remember but its worth checking into.
I hope I haven't mislead you or anyone else..My truck has been camping out in the body shop in Detroit for almost a week now and I am picking it up this morning.If I can pick someones brain at the Freightliner dealer about it Ill post back here about.Maybe someone else will chime in also??

 

[Slo-Ride]

tknight
I almost forgot bout this..I talked with 2 guys at a freightliner dealer, 1 being a wrench and the other a parts guy. None of them heard of any possible side affects from using Alcohol in your truck..

 

[davekc]

The alcohol verses the plastic parts in a Freightliner product would be a concern. Just because it would dry rot these parts out if the alcohol is introduced on a continual basis. If it was a KW or Pete, they don't use the plastic parts except in a few places and don't have the same air management system. Just a thought.

 

[tknight]

I just opened the air tank, and poured a few ounces inside, most of it blew out from the spitter valve in a few house, it must have been an isolated incident due to the very cold conditions i was in, all is fine now, of course it's only 31 degrees out.

thanks