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Bus Air
Well today I fired up my H3 let it idle for a while and took it out for a spin since it had been sitting for a while, during the drive I decided to kick on the bus air system front and rear and all was fine for a while until I heard what sounded like a large air leak so I pulled over and get off the bus and first thing I see is a large cloud of white smoke coming from the bottom of the bus where the condenser fans exhaust out. After a while the leak stopped and I ran in and shut off the bus air system and came back outside to further inspect, after a careful look I could not find a cracked hose or obvious leak anywhere so I am wondering if there is a high pressure valve somewhere in the system that may vent out if the pressure gets to high and can that valve fail and vent all Freon? Thanks in advance for any assistance with the matter.
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17 Replies
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On a full Prevost over the road A/C system there is no venting of the system. The large compressor in the rear passenger side has valves intended to effectively prevent the compressor from increasing system pressure to excessive levels.
You can see them mounted on top of the compressor.
2000 Featherlite H3-45
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Leesburg, FL -
So then I sprung a leak somewhere.
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You do have a high pressure pop off valve in condenser bay. Had that happen when condenser fans didn’t come on and it needs those to cool. Think it’s a overheat/pressure deal. Have seen it once on mine. Running down road and white vapor/freon venting and you think it’s on fire. Don’t know what caused it as IFreon’ed it up and worked after that. I checked all relays and all were good.
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I think this is what happen to me, I can’t seem to find any leaks, can that valve fail and open up? Or maybe the fans didn’t kick on 🤔 but it is exactly as you describe. What Freon is used on our rigs and how much to fill the system since now mine is empty? Also what should the pressures be on the high and low side?
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aprox 27lbs. Where was leak located–under–last bay—-engine compartment? Do you have drivers air also? Seperate system= lot less $$$$ Should be marked on compressor–most prob 134.
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leak came from the condenser bay where the condenser fans vent from it guessing maybe the fans didn’t kick in and the over heat/pressure valve dumped the Freon to protect the system as stated above I will keep you guys posted once I refill the system. Yes I have bus air which also includes the driver but it doesn’t have a separate compressor for the front its all one unit.
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What should pressures read on the gauges?
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mine has two lines that go from inside frame rails in that area one to each side of condensor. Have had leak in this area.. would use air pressure to ensure that system holds pressure before recharging. Nitrogren preferred. You need to pump down system if current pressure is zero. Can do that and make sure it maintains vacuum. My sp is bad but hope you can make out. been awhile since I have been in there. Had a cross-over hose break.
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Will do thanks for the input
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On mine when it dumped freon it didn’t lose it all. Just down to a level and reset. Had a few pounds in it so I didn’t have to vacumn. Will look tomorrow but just float the balls in sight glass in condenser bay accumulator bottles. Seems 40 on low side and 125 on high. Will check the book tomorrow.
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I believe you just want to float the bottom ball about half way in glass, not both balls. Someone with a lot more ‘smarts’ can correct if I am wrong.
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Thank you all for all the input I don’t know what I would do without this forum!
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Float the bottom ball in the sight glass, and you are good to go!
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Thanks still haven’t got around to it but I will this weekend
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This might be a dumb question but here goes, so I float the bottom ball on the view glass how about the top one is that one for the front ac for the driver?
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