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Oil level Bus Air compressor
When do you check the oil level in the sight glass on the Bus air compressor? Engine off, Bus air on engine idling, Bus air on engine high idle.
Is an oil level near or at the minimum mark in need of more oil?
2000 Featherlite H3-45
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Leesburg, FL -
6 Replies
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Refer to the Prevost MX manual, section 22, chapters 7 & 8.
Wait a few minutes after shutting off the system before checking the sight glass(es). The compressor needs to be level. There are 2 sight glasses in its sump with min. and max marks. Mid way in the sight glass is perfect in a normally operating system. If there has been a problem somewhere in the system, oil may be trapped elsewhere giving a low indication, so care should be taken not to over fill it. You will lose freon if you remove the fill plug so as to add oil. You can minimize the loss by following the procedure in chap. 7.4 titled Pumping Down. -
Thanks for the info Don
When you say wait a few minutes after shutting off the system before checking sight glass, I assume you mean shutting off the OTR system but keeping the engine running?
Read Prevost MX manual, sec 22, chap 7 & 8. Only info I see is coil & filter cleaning Evap motor service & troubleshooting. Read through rest of Sec 22 Heating & AC plus additional Carrier Compressor booklet and found nothing on checking oil level.
Again thank you for your input
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In the trouble shooting section p.22-33, section 8.12.2 AC, the 2nd item states to wait 20 minutes after shutting off system before checking the sight gauges on each side of the compressor sump.
The engine can be on or off. I would have the engine off so I don’t get tangled in the spinning belts etc.
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Hi Don:
Check OTR compressor oil after 20 shut down pre your instructions. Oil level was just over the High mark by 1/8″ (it is 1/8″ over the low mark when running). I attached a page from the Carrier supplemental manual showing oil reference marks old sight glass virus new sight glass. I have the new version.
Is being over filled by a little an issue?
Chuck
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Chuck and Katrina,
I’m no expert. Find a company that operates and maintains a fleet of entertainers and ask their expert what they think.
But I know an expert. He worked for Trailways Bus Co. for 40+ yrs. I may see him next Tuesday night. If so, I’ll ask him what he thinks.
Now my 2 cents. Its not ideal, but if it had to be too hi or too low, I would choose too hi. -
Regarding oil level I think we have to be realistic.
When a system is properly charged I think it is safe to assume the oil level was correct. Unless the system constantly needs to be re-charged I think we can all assume the oil level is OK. You are not going to lose oil unless you lose freon, and if you are losing freon it is going to carry oil with it and you will see a black greasy spot at the origin of the leak.
If someone repaired a leak in the system and recharged the system with freon without verifying oil level they shouldn’t be allowed to use tools.
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