| Author | Message | ||
| hojji firemaker (Hojjifiremaker)
Registered Member Username: Hojjifiremaker Post Number: 25 Registered: 4-2008 Posted From: 67.142.162.35  Rating: N/A |
I HAVE OIL IN MY AIR LINES, how bad is this? How do I fix it? Where does it come from? what happens if I do nothing about it? | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 763 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.54.207 Rating: N/A |
coming from the compressor first sign of a compressor failure in the near future if it just started good luck (Message edited by luvrbus on September 11, 2009) | ||
| hojji firemaker (Hojjifiremaker)
Registered Member Username: Hojjifiremaker Post Number: 26 Registered: 4-2008 Posted From: 67.142.162.35 Rating: N/A |
the air compressor? ok, I'll check it... What do I look for? can it be repaired, or does it need to be replaced? I don't know how long it has been like this, because when I got the bus and drained the air lines during conversion construction, about a quart of oil came out... I have only driven it about 200 miles lately (still working on it) and it doesn't seem to leak anymore... The oil in the lines could have been there for a very long time if the previous owner never drained the air lines daily... Chances are they did not. | ||
| Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member Username: Barn_owl Post Number: 623 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 151.199.95.199  Rating: N/A |
My compressor did the same thing. Pumped oil into my air system. I put on a good used compressor and solved the problem. Try NIMCO for good used take offs. | ||
| hojji firemaker (Hojjifiremaker)
Registered Member Username: Hojjifiremaker Post Number: 27 Registered: 4-2008 Posted From: 67.142.162.35 Rating: N/A |
they don't have any air compressors presently for my Mci 102a3, but thanks allot for the tip, that site is cool, and will come in handy in the future! http://www.nimcobus.com/catalog/ | ||
| Tom Christman (Tchristman)
Registered Member Username: Tchristman Post Number: 122 Registered: 1-2006 Posted From: 66.218.33.156 Rating: N/A |
Considering the cost of the compressor and the soundness of your brake system, spend the money on a replacement rebuild for the compressor. It will give you piece of mind. Good luck, TomC | ||
| Rob Norgren (Robsedona)
Registered Member Username: Robsedona Post Number: 78 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 75.210.244.44  Rating: N/A |
I found Oil in the pink tank Don't know if you have a Pink tank who knows when that was last drained now no more. The Compressor will pass some oil, if not drained will build up never know Wait an see if you get more oil in the Tank Could have been in their from the last Compressor failure. You could Pull the air line off the top see what is in the top of the Compressor and in the Air line and clean that out a cleaner that can be followed up with water and lots of air from a air compressor put back together and make sure it does not leak air Take Her out and run her around as in a good healthy Run then Drain Tank Take off Air Line on the top of Compressor and see what you have. Make sure Before Change out. The Cost of Changing out Good Parts can get High! Rob | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1689 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.68.121.98  Rating: N/A |
Where is this oil coming out? How often? There are lots of airlines. Do you know if the accumulated build up is current or left over from earlier troubles? I'm with Tom, once you have identified that the current compressor is at fault, which you still need to do, trade yours in for a rebuilt unit and then you can forget about it. Used parts are a gamble on doing it all over, or ending up with one worse than you have now. happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| hojji firemaker (Hojjifiremaker)
Registered Member Username: Hojjifiremaker Post Number: 28 Registered: 4-2008 Posted From: 67.142.162.38 Rating: N/A |
buswarrior, I like your practical approach...In this thread and in others... Inside the rear bay door (that was once access to the septic tank), there is a air line drain (it says 'drain daily')... When I got the bus, about a quart of oil came spitting out of there... Since I purchased the bus last august, I have only driven it about 200 miles (have been converting it), but plan to more soon. Under the rear end of the bus, there are some pull rings between the drive axle wheels, I pulled those and a little bit (maybe a half cup each) came spitting out. Since I first drained the lines, no more oil has come out. My sense is that it was built up from the neglectful owner that had the bus before me. I am not aware of any previous problems... The man who sold the bus to me was VERY dishonest and I have had to repair ALLOT of things that he said were in working order... Thank you so much for the help! Since I drained it, no more oil has come out, but then again, I haven't driven it much... | ||
| peter river (Brightstone)
Registered Member Username: Brightstone Post Number: 4 Registered: 8-2009 Posted From: 204.62.64.30  Rating: N/A |
I think you might have to wait until you drive another 200 miles to see if there's that much accmulation. I doubt it. compressor has oil/needs oil. They sell "compressor oil" for that purpose. but I don't think any compressor has quart of oil in it altogether. keep an eye on the compressor to make sure there | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 764 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.54.207 Rating: N/A |
Wrong on that Peter the compressor feeds from the engine has oil flowing under pressure from the engine drains back to the engine oil pan same oil as the engine uses. Same with cooling it uses the same coolant as the engine good luck (Message edited by luvrbus on September 11, 2009) (Message edited by luvrbus on September 11, 2009) | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1627 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.110.9  Rating: N/A |
Just keep an eye on it for now. Common problem from worn compressors. Open your drains so they can drain overnight or over a couple of days. That will get all the accumulated oil out of the tanks. Like draining an oil can. Check it over a couple of thousand miles and see how much is accumulating... then you can think about getting a preferably rebuilt or GOOD used one. It is not going to be a problem that needs fixed right now. There is always a small amount of oil that is going to pass the rings in an air compressor, just less on a good condition one. That and moisture is the reason for the wet and dry tanks; to keep this gunk out of the air system components. You'll get the same thing in your portable home air-compressor. Drain it's tank once in a while. In the meantime, keep working on it and keep an eye out for a possible replacement when you start using the coach frequently. | ||
| Donald P Hann (Eagle19952)
Registered Member Username: Eagle19952 Post Number: 5 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 97.116.130.149 Rating: N/A |
A quart of oil is alot!if there is a quart drainable there is more that is not.And when a compressor craters the pieces end up in your bus engine. And the diaphragms in your brake cans are not oil compatable...... | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1690 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.71.102.186 Rating: N/A |
What colour and consistency was the stuff you drained out? Milky brown, McDonald's milkshake chocolate, is ok, black is signs of trouble. That's the job of the discharge muffler in the back, to catch the oily vapours. And if the PO hasn't drained it, you'll get a quart out of it. If the goop was black, the condition of the air drier desiccant will be suspect. What is coming out of the wet tank? You'll have to use your maintenance manual, or some kind person here will direct you as to which one is the wet tank on that model MCI. As noted above, rig your drains to stay open overnight, unscrew them from the mounting holes if you have to. Strategically placed paper towel with some stones to keep it there will give you some tea leaves to study. If it was lighter goop originally, I doubt you'll have much to worry about moving forward except to leave the drains open, let the snot drain away, and then monitor it once you are operational. happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Bill 340 (Bill_340)
Registered Member Username: Bill_340 Post Number: 95 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.197.186.215  Rating: N/A |
Well our previous coach, had the same oil problem, pull the tank rings very slowly, pull fas you will get air and some oil, when you get it safely blocked some day, take the drain valves from your tanks, let them out overnight, on a warm night is best, you will be amazed how miuch more is in there, then occasionally pull the rings slowly to ozze out and build up,. In fact put cables on those valves, so you can pull them from outside the coach without getting underneath, My eagle was that way for 5 years and the compressor aired up in 3 min,So dont panic, it may go for years, JUST MY EXPERIENCE, Not DA BOOK......................... | ||
| peter river (Brightstone)
Registered Member Username: Brightstone Post Number: 5 Registered: 8-2009 Posted From: 76.172.245.84 Rating: N/A |
oops, I did not know that, thanks for the correction luvrbus. I thought it worked the same way as portable air compressor, I guess not. | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 948 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.202.165.190  Rating: N/A |
A good part of the volume you drained might be oil mixed with accumulated water, if its been a while since you drained. Rebuilding the unit is about like working on a small lawnmower engine , as far as re ringing the unit. FF | ||
| hojji firemaker (Hojjifiremaker)
Registered Member Username: Hojjifiremaker Post Number: 29 Registered: 4-2008 Posted From: 67.142.162.32 Rating: N/A |
It was black. Black oil and rather thick.... I don't have a copy of the operators manual, so am not sure of every point to check in a daily routine, but do have the 6" thick maintenance manual. Thank you all so much!!! Also, will there be any sign of failure before it occurs, or will the brakes etc... not work all at once? | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1629 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.110.9 Rating: N/A |
pushing a lot of oil doesn't indicate that the unit is ready to disintegrate; the rings are worn out and don't scrape the oil off the cylinder walls, which allows it into compression area along with air and get pushed into wet tank. Verify that it is actually using a lot of oil first. Good chance that much of that accumulated from a lot of short periods of coach movement without draining tanks.If you had the same or significant amount of oil in the 200 mile trip, then you have a problem with the compressor. Actually, those brake diaphrams will tolerate oil on them as the air supply will still have minute amounts of moisture and oil in vapor form in the system unless you have an air dryer. Of course, if oil is running out of a brake chamber...WOW, someone forgot to drain their tanks for many miles and years. | ||
| Patrick levenson (Zubzub)
Registered Member Username: Zubzub Post Number: 106 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 70.51.29.71  Rating: N/A |
On a side note, I just rebuilt my rear brakes, and while my rear wet tank has been bypassed for who know how long, and when I re plumbed the by pass there was a healthy slug of black water oil in the plumbing, there was zero moisture/oil residue in the diaphragms of my rear cans. I know my compressor blows a little oil by but I guess it's in better shape than I thought. | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 765 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.54.207 Rating: N/A |
Is your bus equipped with a air drier on a MCI I think they are up front between the front wheels. A compressor pushing a lot of oil will cause you a problem sooner or later some day it will not build up air. The oil builds up crud under the unloader valves and the govneror and will cause the disiccant filter in the drier to be changed more often and they are not cheap. Check your ping tank or wet tank often and if you are getting a lot of oil every day if it were me I would start looking for a compressor because it will only get worse in time. Where is your air intake for the compressor some are tied to engine air intake and some have their own filters that people never change causing the compressor to wear out. The compressors do not pass much oil if they are in good shape good luck | ||
| clint hunter (Truthhunter)
Registered Member Username: Truthhunter Post Number: 476 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 24.129.237.52  Rating: N/A |
???so what is good for flushing lines, alcohol and blow dry ??? | ||
| clint hunter (Truthhunter)
Registered Member Username: Truthhunter Post Number: 477 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 24.129.237.52 Rating: N/A |
... prudent it is... to have a ear on the compressor if it is blowing black engine oil to listen for piston slap or connecting "rod bearing tap" , a stethoscope reaches in through that hole to listen close while compressing... =this effort will help you learn if the compressor is in danger of catitrastohic failure while "on the road" or if it has time to let you shop around or for a convenient time to rebuild; with "daily tank drain check". | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1630 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.110.9 Rating: N/A |
It is going to take an experienced ear to distinguish those noises with the big engine running. When compressor is pushing significant oil, it is time for repair/ rebuild. Normal for rings to wear out before excess piston slap or rod tap. If piston is slapping, it is rocking in the cylinder bore and causing the rings to allow excess oil past and end in the wet tank. Bendix site or MCI site may indicate how much expelled oil is indicative of needed compressor repair. GM 4905 book indicates 2cc of oil,@ 1750 rpms for 1/2 hour is max on rebuilt compressor on a test stand with constant 50 psi head pressure. | ||
| hojji firemaker (Hojjifiremaker)
Registered Member Username: Hojjifiremaker Post Number: 30 Registered: 4-2008 Posted From: 67.142.162.36 Rating: N/A |
the motor purrs beautifully, so that at least is not the problem for now... She spews smoke, hopefully it is mostly due to sitting, but that is another subject for another thread... | ||
| Peter E (Sdibaja)
Registered Member Username: Sdibaja Post Number: 310 Registered: 5-2002 Posted From: 201.171.247.150  Rating: N/A |
Tomorrow is Sunday... You are in Nevada City? I suggest you take her out for a spin and run her hard for a few hours, say over to Reno and back. That will probably limber a few things up and reseat the rings etc. My $5 is on everything settling in again and a healthy old girl is a happy old girl. It will be good for you too! ;-] Peter | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1691 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.66.16.75 Rating: N/A |
There either is, or recently has been, a worn compressor in your coach. You have drained everything, so, as noted, take it for a spin and see what new stuff you get. Either way, I would be VERY concerned about the air drier, I would assume there is one on a coach of your vintage, the desiccant and the purge valve will be contaminated. Do you get the same stuff out of the wet tank also, or just the discharge muffler down the back? With some luck, the drier has sacrificed itself and hasn't let the oil past to the tank. If the black oil is in the wet tank, how about the rest of the tanks? If you get more of the same after your long drive, it is time to get a fresh compressor. happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| FloridaCliff (Floridacracker)
Registered Member Username: Floridacracker Post Number: 420 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 97.101.146.143 Rating: N/A |
Mine was putting some grey goo in the wet tank when I first purchased it, I ran it for a few trips and it returned each time. Decided I didn't want to chance a "awh crap" moment on the road and replaced it....goo gone... If hunting for a rebuilt unit, give these guys a try: http://stores.shop.ebay.com/REI-BRAKE-SUPPLY__W0QQ_armrsZ1 I and many others have been pleased with there rebuilds. They actually do the rebuild.... Cliff (Message edited by floridacracker on September 13, 2009) (Message edited by floridacracker on September 13, 2009) |