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Leak at mini air bellow
Today was trying to find why mini air bellows at back on engine were leaking down over night , had put in new check valve there and 3000 miles ago put three new mini air bellows in, we’ll today was the day to find it soap after soap bottle and found brand new air bellow leaking , put new one in and all was good That was two months ago when I put in new air bellows!! Could not believe it was leaking!!
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14 Replies
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As we have learned even new parts can be defective. From brake chambers to air bags to belt tensioning bellows to batteries new parts are defective. I just had a coolant conditioning filter leak a gallon of coolant on my garage floor from a leak around the crimp. And because of the nature of how it leaked, it gave every indication it was my coolant pump. It is stuff like these failures of new parts that drives us nuts.
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Me to Jon this year I have put new parts in and a lot of those parts where bad if I had not been on top of it some of those may have got past me , that they are good and new , you have to keep your head up all the time!!!!! And check just to make sure they are good!!!!!!
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My three mini bags for belt tensioning have given me the same problem. Not only do they deplete in 1 hour to three or more days, so does the aux air tank. Started by replacing the check valve. Then the regulator. Last trip out this week sat for three days until time to leave and all was still full. Called Prevost tech support, they suggested a NC 3 port Norgren might be sticking open. Replaced it and still have the same problem. After replacing the Norgren all aux system was drained in about 14 – 16 hours. Have sprayed everything and no bubbles.
Any suggestions could help!Thanks in advance
Richard
1999 XLV X-6872, liberty #440 -
Richard,
The components we see are the ones we look at when chasing leaks, but I believe the less visible components are just as leak prone.
I believe the air to the rear goes through a distribution point that is out of sight around the corner from the chassis batteries. If I am not mistaken there is a protection valve and a regulator in that area and from that air goes to the belt tensioners and the transmission retarder if equipped. I believe it is also a Prevost approved connection point for the converter. In the past that has been a leak source on my coach.
I also have found the belt tensioner regulator to leak, as well as the valve.
There is no silver bullet for leak detection. The place to start is to make a device, either a bubbler or a pressure gauge device that allows you to disconnect an air line, pressurize the system supplied by the air line, and if no bubbles show or there is no pressure drop you know that system is OK. If it is not OK, then you have to move downstream in that system or line until you find the component or fitting that is leaking.
You can find a lot of the leaks the old fashioned way with soapy water, by listening, by listening with a stethoscope, or by using an ultrasonic leak detector, but what you are going to find there is no single way to detect all leaks and when you have exhausted the easy ways (such as spraying soapy water) you are eventually going to start using devices such as I described above.
1999 XLV X-6872, liberty #440 -
Great idea with the bubbler …. Can you post a picture of what you built?
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I don’t have a picture or diagram. A member named Hector created one that is constructed fairly easily.
He used a high quality regulator on the inlet side that allowed air at a given pressure to pass through a water filled bowl, such as a modified air system oiler. the device was then connected to the air system, air was introduced and when the system was pressurized if there were no leaks there would be no bubbles visble in the glass bowl. If there were leaks bubbles would be seen as the regulator introduced more air to maintain line pressure.
A second option is the method used by folks such as Prevost. They create a device with a shut off valve on the supply side. Downstream is a pressure gauge. The bigger the gauge the better. Air is introduced through the device into the system being checked for leaks and when it is fully pressurized the air supply is turned off at the valve. As long as pressure is maintained the needle doesn’t move, but if the system leaks the gauge pressure reading drops. That is not as precise as Hector’s “Texas Bubbler” but in most cases if you have the time it will be just as effective at revealing leaks.
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Anyone know a source other than Prevost for the Series 60 radiator van belt tensioner mini airbags, Prevost part # 950208. I’ve tried Napa and Fleet Pride, no luck. Ordered one from Prevost last week, installed it, now remaining one is leaking. Need a second one, but no time to wait for another order from Prevost before leaving for ETLC seminar the 19th
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Jim I have six where are you at, I have them as spares !!!!
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Wheat Ridge
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Thought you might be out west I am in Northern California heading to LA , thought maybe you could have one of mine but to far away to drop one off sorry
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thanks anyways
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Great luck!! Local charter company who haven’t had prevosts for three years, happened to have a belt tensioner mini lobe airbag #950208! Since it wasn’t listed on their inventory, parts mgr said he couldn’t charge a dime for it, so I bought the shop lunch.
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Jim & chris, I think Jeff stocks them. He just put one on ours, I’ll have to look and see if lunch is cheaper. LOL. Geo.
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Yes, buying lunch for the charter company’s shop guys was cheaper than ordering one from Prevost. Cost me 3 Happy Meals!!!
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