[Archived]

Where would the easiest place be to add a drop of lube (marvel mystery oil) to system Mr Bob? Years ago worked for a company that had a fleet of Ford L9000 diesel trucks. The old mechanic would add a minimal ammount of MMO to air system about once or twice a year, especially in winte. He said it kept everything lubed up in the air system. Just drops if I remember right.

[Archived]

There is no provision to add any oil or lubricant to the air system.

I seriously question the benefits of doing that because Prevost goes to a considerable expense and effort to provide our coaches with an air dryer that not only traps and dumps moisture, but also traps any small amounts of oil that get past the rings on the compressor.

Our Norgrens are pre-lubricated with a pink colored grease. I’m not aware of any other pneumatic system moving parts that would benefit from lubing. Unless Prevost or Bendix tells me to start lubing my pneumatic system I will work very hard to insure it is dry and free of oil.

I am prepared to eat crow if anyone can cite a publication by the folks that build the components or our pneumatic system recommending we add oil.

[Peter]

I can tell you that in our fleet of trucks, we NEVER put any oil in our air systems. The air system is supposed to be clean and dry, no oil is needed.

[Dewey and Tina]

What do these tour buses use in cold weather , does it hurt the system to put brake line alcohol if its frozen up because of moisture in system and cold just wondering????? Big trucks use it but have no norgrens !!!! What do you think??

[Bob]

The grease last forever!!!!– the correct amount was applied.!!!!… Don’t ever do anything I say—- unless all else fails— then what ya got to loose??? I knew it would be jumped on hard hard …….. The perfect world does exist.. Does not visit me often…That is why I hate to mention any thing not political correct here. if it don’t slide it don’t seal or work—-simple bob says……..no matter how much care was was was intended by good meaning engineers.
? was your Norgren Dryer designed to handle the load of the aux air converter installed system?? for how many cycles? continious? I give up

[Archived]

Bob you nailed it about the small Norgren water trap. If the water is not drained often that is how it migrates into the system.

As cold weather sets in moisture that freezes in the brake and aux systems is going to really play hell.

And Peter, any body can add anything to the air systems but what is the advantage? All of our systems and devices are supposed to be kept dry with well maintained air dryers. In fact in the winter the moisture content of the cold air is miniscule. But what if you open the system up and dump in some alcohol or whatever? Every time we exrecise the brakes we discharge air and whatever is in the air. Same with the air bags. They are constantly accepting and exhausting air as we drive due to bumps and curves. So even if anything is put into the system, it is quickly carried out as air is exhasted unless it works into items with low spots like air bags.

[Archived]

If I had a problem valve that I thought was due to the lack of lubrication I would inject a small amount of oil close to the valve I thought was dry.

There are many pieces of machinery in the manufacturing world that require dry air to fuction properly, so dry infact that the air from the compressor must pass through a refrigerated air dryer. These machines too often require lubricated air, hence the drip type lubricator to supply oil to the system.

Every application is unique unto itself. You decide what might help you.

Example; The sliding air doors in a Liberty will benefit from an occasional injection of oil into the line as per Troy M.

JIM

[gary]

One of My company rescues many prevost in winter that have frozen air systems , air dryers , brakes , they won’t build air on and on… Mostly tour coaches…..My brother runs this company .. Two or three buses a day all winter long frozen up air systems!!!!!!

[Archived]

And the reason is not frozen up air systems. It is total lack of air system maintenance. The forzen components are the result.

We ran our bus for many years out of western NY and both Tom and I know as western NYers that if you defer maintenance in those conditions you are going to end up on a hook.

[Archived]

Jim,

Like you I ran a shop that had a lot of pneumatic equipment and we needed bone dry air for the finishing systems so we too had the large refrigerated dryers. And we did have oilers, but always local to the specific equipment or shop operation, usually pneumatic grinders, screw drivers, drills, etc. But those specifically called for oil lubrication.

[Dustin]

The guys got in here and added.. Point is we are dealing low volume.. Have added a extra burden with a conversion to a Prevost leveling system by adding a Auxillary Compressor (more volume) then more and more air operated items.. Age + volume+ lack of regular maintance+ Nice sunny salty beach air–Hot dry desert+ Mountain snow+-40 SKI resort Sitting in hot sun 120F==harsh conditions…My personal use in a situation is a few drops ahead a flow in a open line ahead of a valve/air wiper etc of air tool oil.If it don’t work a second app cost little and will do not further damage. I will leave it at that. I have added a axulliary dryer and ck valve before my aux air enters the coach system as not to effect the Norgren dryer intended to protect the level low system only..Sorry for any confusion….

[Archived]

I agree with you Jon , the problem is not the problem it’s the result of lack of maintenance ,, try to tell the driver of the coach that…

[gary]

Back in the frozen north in my trucking days we used to add dry gas through the trailer glad hand when things got froze up. Of course there were no air dryers than and moisture was always a problem and the only cure was lots of air tank draining daily.

I would bet those buses getting froze up like Peter is talking about could probably be mostly eliminated with PM, but like he said, getting the driver to do it is another whole story.

[Mike]

For what it’s worth! Got my brake system back to working after a major ordeal cleaning out every air line, replacing the AD2 to a AD9 dryer and a leaking norgren. Was the happiest day of my life to see the old gal start to raise up on her own. Almost like seeing the dead rise again! After the brake test I noticed that it was taking the compressor 3 minutes or more to air the system back to 120 psi. I thought there is no way I will be able to drive her, my air system will not have enough air built back up fast enough to operate everything. Checked into replacing or rebuilding my direct drive compressor on the 8V92 and was really offended. Well if I have to replace it, may as well try a little air tool oil down the compressor intake and exhaust ports. After a tablespoon in each port and letting the oil circulate it now builds the pressure back within 60 to 90 seconds. Not saying it was the right thing to do or recomended by the manufacturer but for now I’ll take it until signs point to replacing it. May change my mind if it makes a turn for the worst. Working on a backup in the cargo bay just in case.

[Bob]

There is no back up! Prob freed the old girl up.. Would watch her close make sure she did not have a spot that got rough while stuck . If it goes back wards you any you know your in for a rebuild! Got time to shop now. The governer is low dollar (under 20$) and throws allot of the same symptoms of a failed compressor. With the rear floor pannel out easy change.—-this should prob be over in Home builder.. Happy Thanksgiving Busnuts. Bob