| Author | Message | ||
| Charlie Krueger (Charliek)
Registered Member Username: Charliek Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 207.200.116.13 Rating: N/A |
I recently bought a 4106 # 1428 that has been converted. The left side air bags deflate after setting a few hours. I have spent hours under it with soapy water looking for a leak in the bags but to no avail. My next step is to check the check valve , if I can find it. Are there two valves, one for each side? The right side stays up fine. Where is/are the valves located and what do they look like? Any help would be greatly appreciated. | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Registered Member Username: Drivingmisslazy Post Number: 1721 Registered: 1-2001 Posted From: 75.108.82.163 Rating: N/A |
I believe the air bags are mounted on air beams that have a tendency to rust thru. Richard | ||
| Frank Allen (Frank66)
Registered Member Username: Frank66 Post Number: 32 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 Rating: N/A |
There is a single leveling valve on the front wheels, it is located near the center, you dont say if you are working on the front or rear, anyway on the rerar there are two, the air bags on a 4106 or at least mine which is a 1964 there are no air beams to worry with, what i found on mine is they will leak air at the top where you cant see due to rust and old age, i never did see where mine were leaking, i replaced them and now the thing will stay up for months even after the air presuure is depleted. if yours is down on the left side and the leveling valve is not leaking then id replace the bags on the left side. hope you got something useful from this Frank Allen 4106 2626 | ||
| Austin Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 35 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 216.37.73.226 Rating: N/A |
Since we are on the subject of "AIR" How long should the system hold the air? My 4104 will leak down over night to about 40psi. It has the air beams but they look in good condition. | ||
| Charlie Krueger (Charliek)
Registered Member Username: Charliek Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 207.200.116.13 Rating: N/A |
Mine is a 1962 model. I would think if the front height control valve was leaking that the front end would drop as opposed to one side. The maintenance manual shows a check valve and pressure regulator coming off the Suspension Air Tank. My problem at this point is locating and recognizing those valves. I suspect they are in the compartment under the driver's seat, if they are which is which? It appears from the manual that there is only one check valve for both sides so I am more and more suspecting a air bag to be the problem. | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1089 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 67.181.163.170 Rating: N/A |
Charlie - More than likely the culprit is the leveling valve on the left side. Located on the bulkhead behind the rear axle. As Frank said, replace it rather than try to repair. Reasonably priced, you can get one at most HD truck parts houses. If the check valve on the suspension tank was failing, the entire suspension would leak down, not just one side. DO block the bus up properly before crawling underneath, per the shop manual. We don't want to hear of a crushed busnut! Richard - Only the GMC 4104 and the Scenicrusiers used air beams. Starting with the 4106, they switched to "rolling lobe" style, thru the end of production. IIRC, MCI used air beams up until the "A" series. FWIW & HTH. . .  | ||
| Charlie Krueger (Charliek)
Registered Member Username: Charliek Post Number: 3 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 207.200.116.13 Rating: N/A |
Thanks everyone! I will go to work on it. This is a great site and I enjoy reading the archieves and and discussions. | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Registered Member Username: Drivingmisslazy Post Number: 1724 Registered: 1-2001 Posted From: 75.108.82.163 Rating: N/A |
Thanks RJ Richard | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 334 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.126.56 Rating: |
After proper procaution to get under the coach, deflate the air bags. Make adapters that you can attach to one or two of the individual air bags.This adapter will be made up of a tire type valve with the necessary adapter to connect to the line coming from the leveling valve which goes to the suspect air bag. You will, of course need to disconnect the line from the leveling valve to the air bag,s. Also block off temporarily, the fitting at the leveling valve where you disconnected the air bag line. Reinflate the bags still connected to the coach air system, and use a tire gauge to inflate the one,s you separated. If it goes down like before, you have a bag or attachment point leak. If it doesn't, it is most likely the leveling valveor other It takes a little time to make the adapter,s up,they don't cost much, and you can get the parts at any NAPA or other auto parts store under the tire hardware section. Worked great for me tracking down a pesky air bag leak after going through what you did. Now, I can save time the next time I have a problem with the DROOP. | ||
| Frank Allen (Frank66)
Registered Member Username: Frank66 Post Number: 33 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 207.200.116.13 Rating: N/A |
i will loose my air pressure on the dash gauge over night but the suspension stays up for months, also even though it shows no pressure the brakes are still operational. need to look at the diagram and see where that gauge hooks in, forgot its been a while. Frank Allen 4106 | ||
| Austin Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 36 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 216.37.73.226 Rating: N/A |
I guess I need to look at the air system better. When I loose air over night it's lost it in the complete system. The suspension settles down evenly, and the air pressure the next morning is just below 40psi. . | ||
| Tom Caffrey (Pvcces)
Registered Member Username: Pvcces Post Number: 1007 Registered: 5-2001 Posted From: 65.74.65.54 Rating: N/A |
Frank, your gauge is connected to the auxiliary air system. That's why your brakes will work even though no pressure shows on the gauge. FWIW Tom Caffrey Pd4106-2576 Suncatcher Ketchikan, Alaska | ||
| Frank Allen (Frank66)
Registered Member Username: Frank66 Post Number: 34 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 207.200.116.13 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Tom,i knew that but had a senior moment(too many these days) of course you are right about the air. thanks Frank Allen 4106 2626 | ||
| Charlie Krueger (Charliek)
Registered Member Username: Charliek Post Number: 4 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 207.200.116.13 Rating: N/A |
John: I'm sorry I messed up the rating on your response. This was the first time I had been into the rating function and I read it backwards. The reason I wanted to rate your response was because I thought is was very clear and concise and was very helpful to me. I am still working on the problem. Too cold for an old guy to stay under there very long these days (smile) Charlie |
