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Front airbags not filling auto or manually help.
I have been chasing several air issues since returning home from work. After chasing and repairing a couple of other air issues with the help of several on this site (Thank you), I have now gotten myself in somewhat of a pickle. The front airbags would not raise automatically, but they would raise by way of the front level low push button at the driver position. So, I decided to raise the front all the way up with the airbags, then place block support under the designated body support so I could safely get under the coach to go find the problem (hopefully). After doing so, I finally found the “front level low solenoid valve” I have been looking for to fix my auto (“road”) ride height issue I have been having, but I also wanted to look for a small leak I was hearing ealier. I got back out from under the coach, started it, and waited for the dryer to pop off. Once that happened, I pushed the front level low button to charge the airbags with air…. Umm, nothing, it would not release air into the front airbags. I tried multiple times, looked everywhere for leaks, noises…. Nothing. I didn’t move or take anything loose, I was just under there looking for the solenoid.
I said all that to ask this. I called prevost, I called Liberty. My vintage coach is setup with the original Prevost air system, it has one level low valve for each ride height valve. According to my schematic, the airbags are fed air from the accessory air tank, goes through the ride height valves, the level low solenoid valve, then to the airbags. The only exception is when you use the level low button, it bypasses the solenoid and feeds air directly to the airbags. The problem is it doesn’t work when I push the button now, I am on blocks and can’t get off of them until I find and fix the problem.
Finally, I just want to add, all of the airbags fill to height except the front, it is isolated to the just the front bags. The accessory tank is full of air, it is flowing through the filter… The ride height valve arm was disconnected thinking maybe it was exhausting air pulled down? No. Both gauge needles are matched to 120… Is there something I am missing? I appreciate any and all feedback and help, this was one charge with air to another, had air, then didn’t.
I have attached my air schematic for reference, its a simple system that is currently making me feel really dumb…
Thank you
Richard
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2 Replies
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Well, I didn’t get any responses, but through continued examination and creative methods of introducing isolation air, I did find my issue, so I thought I would post in case it would help someone else that may experience the same type of dilemma.
Applying air through the level low valve could not deliver enough volume to the front airbags and since the solenoid (Skinner valve) was faulty, I couldn’t use the accessory tank either. I disconnected the supply line from the level low valve and rigged a connection from a air blow gun connected to my portable compressor and supplied a higher volume of air to the airbags. In doing so, I could now hear a residual air leak that I couldn’t hear before. I eventually found an airbag leaking from the top mount that before was not leaking due to it sealing itself under normal circumstances because of the rubber (anti abrasion) ring applying pressure when in ride position. When I raised the front of the bus all the way up with the airbags there was nothing applying pressure to the slow leak. When I blocked up the coach and the air leaked out, now there wasn’t enough air pressure to overcome the leak, therefore, it wouldn’t blow the bags back up. Just for positive confirmation, I disconnected the bag, isolated the airline and used the level low valve to charge the system, everything worked and held air. I ordered the bag from Prevost and will be replacing upon arrival.
I know no one responded on this, but I have had alot of successful feedback over time and appreciate the responses I have had. Maybe this will help someone down the road.
Richard
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Well Done!
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