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Jon,
Thanks, Marathon does not add anything to the Prevost level system. I think that it should be the same as yours. I will look at things in the morning, I will also exercise it as much as possible to see if that will free things up. Thanks for the info and I will keep you informed, this will be my first look at this stuff, I kinda am looking forward to feeling my way around those valves----kinda sick I think!
Kevin
Marathon does in fact add or modify the Prevost system, but not necessarily on all of their coaches. That is what makes specific information impossible. Liberty does modify the system on all of their coaches (I think), but I know for sure their modifications have varied because my two Libertys had differences.
My guess is that based on the age of you coach if you haven't started experiencing problems you are about to. Not a criticism of the coach, but just a fact that mechanical things need maintenance from time to time.
Jon,
Yes, I agree that the time is now for those problems to start showing up. As soon as the sun shines thru the wind, I will take a look at things.
A little info on my engine driven air compressor, when I did my first service after buying this bus in June of 05, I noticed some oil around the frame at the air dryer spitter. I changed the filter and just kept an eye on things for the past 2 years.
Last Wensday I picked up the bus from storage and I noticed that the air gauges where only at 100 PSI, I fanned the brake pedal down and no air pressure building. I called my local truck parts guy and he recommended changing the regulator on the outside, the most common part to fail.
I went and picked 1 up, changed it in the RV storage drive and it worked.
When I got to our shop and parked it I noticed low air pressure again, this time it would not build air. OK, there is one more thing you can change before the compressor, so off to the parts store, back to the shop and changed 2 small piston type valves in the top of the head, no luck!
150,000 miles and I had to change the compressor, the only good news was the bus was sitting in our shop and about 6 hours and $1000.00 later and I now have a reman pump and when I get a little time I will clean all the oil under the frame and start monitoring oil out of the air dryer from the new compressor.
Kevin
If it was passing a lot of oil, it is likely the media in the dryer is coated with oil. When that happens the oil passes through the dryer via the spitter. You may have to change the dryer cartridge, which creates something for you to think about.
If the media is oil soaked, and you do not change it, it will not absorb moisture, but with a clean frame you may be able to determine if oil is passing through the compressor. Or if you do change it, any oil (and moisture) passing through the compressor will be absorbed by the dryer so you will not know if the compressor is OK.
I'd go with a new cartridge and a clean frame and then keep an eye on it.
I'm probably now in the range of age and miles where I need to be aware of losing a compressor and an alternator. And an OTR compressor, brake linings on the drive, power steering pump, etc. Geeez these things are a PITA.
Jon - Great job and I know everyone appreciates your time and efforts.
Kevin - Your experience is why I made the post about the aux air system and the importance of a panel mounted aux gauge to monitor what's going on, compressors really DO wear out. I had the pleasure of a compressor change out in my Foretravel while traveling, ouch! I carry a spare governor, but it never seems to be the cheap part. Good job on saving some race bucks..:p
Tom,
Maybe we should see about writing a compressor replacement article and a guide to trouble shooting it?
I'm rebuilding my OTR compressor this winter and will document it, but except for Liberty folks that is an article with no readers, and most Liberty folks won't get into that level of repairs, but an air compressor article will have broad interest.
Lets talk this weekend.
Jon are you writing this in a Word Doc. so that it can be posted and printed by others, easily?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Wehrenberg
Thanks for all of your hard work, I know everyone appreciates it.
I too will appreciate it, some day? :(
Gary S.
Well, as thing go, it is always hard to trouble shot problems when they work. I tested the front air down every way I could, many times and it worked perfect.
I did change the filter last Thursday at the same time I changed the compressor, didn't want to wait and it was 2 years old anyway. This morning I spent some time cleaning the frame and I will watch how oily it gets---I hope no oil at all.
I did find that when I pulled the compressor that there are 2 engine sensors behind it. One is triggered off the crank and the other is triggered of the gear up a little, now was the time so when we went to Detroit for the compressor, we got both the senors and I hope I paid for a little insurance. There is also a water hose that goes from the block to the head of the compressor and of course it is on the back side so that was replaced also.
Time will tell on the front level valves, I am sure they will fail when I am camping and need to use them, that is always the case.
Jon, thanks for the info, I will keep it for future use.
Kevin
Gary, I sent it to Jim Skiff to post on the front of the POG site. My computer has a Microsoft word processing program. That is what it is in. Once he posts it everybody should be able to print it out.
Kevin, My guess is you loosened the system of valves up so they work now. How about doing a compressor seminar or writing an article. I know it is coming with my coach and I can think of some others of the same vintage.
I would be more than willing to do a seminar, my writing skills suck! I am looking at 08 and it looks good for Sevierville. I will have my bus there unless a Bunk model has my name on it somewhere.
Kevin
Skiff, let me know if this works for you.