Egad
On our Lib, and on most Lib Lady's and 'above,' there are even more things that run off air than some other coaches (Thanks guys).
There is a little valve on the right hand side of the sink in the bath. If that is messed up, then the bed lift doesn't work. The toilet also requires air (don't go there). On Elegant Ladys, for the Trump Crowd, the pocket doors on either side of the bath are also air operated.
In this case it is better to be poor than powered.
Senior Member
On bus number one the sliding floor and the air lock was the only house stuff that operated by air. Now, in this one the aux. air operates the floor, pocket doors, bed air lift, generator air bags and the belt tensioners in the engine area. There may be more things because I am still trying to sort things out.
As Jeff will tell anybody, if you want to get really excited turn your coach over to Prevost and tell them you need your air leak fixed.
What makes this such a bad choice is that finding a leak which creates the leans for example can be anywhere. ANYWHERE! Pay close attention folks: the guy running around under your bus may know how Prevost put together the bus portion of your aux air system, but you are paying for his on the job training when the trouble shooting expands to include the converter portion. This will run the average bill up to a number that approaches the size of the national debt.
If you as an owner can get under your coach with a spray bottle of soapy water and a stethascope you can save enough money trouble shooting to be able to afford a contribution to my new bus fund. Cash only please, small unmarked bills.
Senior Member
Thanks to a heads up from Jon I have already replaced one Norgren valve located immediately in front of the drive wheels. However I'm now rear-sinking again and plan on "diving" to look for another leak.
A great start would be to diagram the location of each valve on our buses. Now I know each converter will probably have a different location for the Norgren's and the years would matter too - but we can start to build a database of valve location diagrams that would be incredibly helpful in the future. I'll get pen and paper.
Mike
Schematics
Prevost has schematics by coach in Canada. I took our old bus up there and Voila! Out came the schematic. They also have a custom machine that they made (out of stainless steel) which pressurizes the coach and measures the air resistance. From that they can detect problems precisely. Of course, the exchange rate was about half of what it is now, so it was also fast, good AND cheap. Now it is only fast and good.
The converters version of the schematic isn't that difficult.
Anyone for an en masse trip to Canada this summer? Maybe we could invade Canada and take over? Of course, that movie has already been done, but it would be nice to get it right the first time.
Senior Member
For those who are into punishment (like Mango) here are some things I figured out in my quest to eliminate the leans.
The problem with leans in the rear could be with a valve in the front. Do not rule out any valve.
Eliminate the hoses, airbags and hose fittings before you start messing with valves. Soapy water and your ears are the only tools needed for this phase of the repair.
You can replace entire valves, but Norgren valves are easily tested and rebuilt. If you go to a Norgren distributor you can buy the internal parts real cheap compared to buying a whole valve. I used to replace the entire valve until I ran out of money.
You can create a simple testing device with some tubing and a few brass fittings and valves from Lowes or Home Depot. All you have to do is remove the valve from the bus, and air into either end of the valve does the "switching" and then you just have to insure the valve seals when it is supposed to on the other ports. The schematic is on the valve and there are about a billion different variations on our coaches so you may have as many as two inlets and several air outlets.
You can test and rebuild the valves without removing them from the coach simply by removing the hoses going to them and/or removing an end cap. It is easier to remove the valve most of the time.
Curing the leans is something you should do when you want to get your mind off of everything else in life. If you need to concentrate on your business or solving the world's problems let the repairs wait or turn your bus and your bank accounts over to someone else. This is a project that will drive you nuts, but when you have solved the problem nothing else on the bus will be a challenge.
I guess I would be game for a trip to Canada this summer but not by air. We'll all need passports, won't we?
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