| Author | Message | ||
| Rob Maxwell (Maxdragon)
Registered Member Username: Maxdragon Post Number: 11 Registered: 7-2010 Posted From: 74.248.211.196 Rating: N/A |
Well I am new to all this and at the moment ...dead on the drive. Our bus ran great , I drove it about 100 miles to here . Since then we have moved it around and turned it facing out on our road . Every once in a while we fire it up just to charge it and see that everythhing is working . A couple weeks ago the prettier part of our partnership decided to fire it up when I wasn't around ...It will not air up at all and none of the three "emergency" shutoffs worked . We shut off the fuel lever untill the bus died . Now we have no clue what to do , I do not know where the air compressor is or how to bleed the system . We are in desperate need of moving the bus before it causes landlord and nieghbor issues at the least or worst case more damage and expence to us . Can anyone offer some technical knowledge here or on a one to one basis ??? My prettier half of this partnership , Tina is a liscenced message therapist and nutritionalist and would be willing to trade services !!!! Our family of three is soon becoming 4 (we are having a baby ) and I gotta get this bus and remodel job back on track | ||
| Derrick Thomas (Thomasinnv)
Registered Member Username: Thomasinnv Post Number: 4 Registered: 10-2010 Posted From: 69.19.14.41 Rating: N/A |
the air compressor is located on the right rear of the engine. (passenger side of engine, toward the front of the bus.) open the right side engine door and you should be able to see it. Also located just inside the right side engine door should be a valve that says 'drain daily', located in the area of the tag axle control valves. you can attach an air hose to that valve (the one that says 'drain daily')to fill the entire system from a portable air compressor. get some air flowing in there and you should be able to find where the problem is. Just listen for the hiss. | ||
| George M. Todd (George_todd)
Registered Member Username: George_todd Post Number: 1151 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 99.68.214.35 Rating: N/A |
Rob, The air compressor is on the "back" of the engine, (in other words, above the trans,) driven either directly by one of the camshafts, or by a gear driven off the cam. Your lack of air problem is probably not the air compressor itself, but either the compresor governor which is bolted on the side of the comp, or the air drier drain has stuck open. If memory serves me right, your air drier is in the right front wheel well area. The normal engine shutdown is air operated, so with no air, the engine will not stop by shutting off the master, or moving the rear stop switch to the stop position. If your bus still has its 71 series engine, you SHOULD be able to stop the engine by lifting the red cover over one of the emergency stop switches, and flipping the switch. This should electrically release the latch on the intake air shutoff, also known as the 'mousetrap,' or the 'slammer.' Stopping the engine by pressing the governor stop lever was the proper way to kill it. If the emergency stop was tripped, you will need to reset it by raising the small lever under the latch which is raised by the solenoid. This assembly is located on the side of the fresh air duct on top of the engine, between the air cleaner and the engine. Stuck compressor governors can often be freed by whacking them with a hammer handle. A suggestion would be to make sure the bus is in neutral, and start it up again. Let it idle for a couple of minutes, and listen for air leaks you can hear over the engine noise. If no air or leaking is obvious, rev the engine up for another minute or so, then shut it off via the governor stop lever, and quickly listen for air again. If still no air, either the compressor, or more likely its governor has failed. If you have an electric air compressor, it is a good way to find leaks, as it doesn't make so much noise. DON'T go under an aired up air ride bus, or between the tires and the wheel wells without blocking it securely at the jacking points!!!! HTH, G | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1736 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.195.124.20  Rating: N/A |
Rob - It might help if you'd put your location in your help request, as well as a contact phone number. There might be a fellow busnut close by who could swing by and give you a hand. FWIW & HTH. . .  | ||
| Rob Maxwell (Maxdragon)
Registered Member Username: Maxdragon Post Number: 12 Registered: 7-2010 Posted From: 74.248.211.196 Rating: N/A |
Wow and thanks so much , Tina and I both appreciate the help , and speedy reply . I guess this is back to top of the list .... | ||
| Rob Maxwell (Maxdragon)
Registered Member Username: Maxdragon Post Number: 13 Registered: 7-2010 Posted From: 74.248.211.196 Rating: N/A |
thanks RJ ...right now , we are inbetween Gatlinburgh and Newport Tenn. in view of the great Smoky mtns. We have no phone (yet) cell is sporadic at best . we do have occasional internet and a phone nearby to call out . Once the buss is moved we have space for visitors . | ||
| niles steckbauer (Niles500)
Registered Member Username: Niles500 Post Number: 974 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 173.78.39.41 Rating: N/A |
Rob are you in Cosby? | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1381 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 69.19.14.26  Rating: N/A |
"Every once in a while we fire it up just to charge it and see that everythhing is working ." A RUN of 100+ miles is the usual monthly price of owning a diesel bus. Starting and ideling in NEVER a solution as the engine Never gets warm , the rust and corrosion on the brake drums grow , and nothing is exercised at all. This is the most severe service a diesel can do, very often oil changes are required to keep the blowby acid levels down. Sure folks do it , bit its NOT good for the vehicle. FF | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 1357 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.3.72.124  Rating: N/A |
"Now we have no clue what to do , I do not know where the air compressor is or how to bleed the system" You need to invest in a service manual for your bus and one for the engine. These will give you a much better understanding of the coach & engine systems as well as trouble shooting help. And you will need these manuals sooner or later. Jack | ||
| Ralph Peters (Ralph7)
Registered Member Username: Ralph7 Post Number: 163 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 75.200.217.161 Rating: N/A |
At this time and for a few days there are 2 bus nuts in Knoxville area till we go for warmer temps, me for one. My home# is now my cell# ..... Also use care but the (fuel lever) is the best way to shut it down,several of my DD's only idled slower, when Emg.was accuated. Get inside the bus and open the 2 inspection covers, with a light look to the right and the air govenor has several small, 1/4 in flexable air lines attached and going to the front of the bus. The govenor is about 4in. long tube bout 1 1/2 in. diam. | ||
| Rob Maxwell (Maxdragon)
Registered Member Username: Maxdragon Post Number: 14 Registered: 7-2010 Posted From: 74.248.211.196 Rating: N/A |
yep Cosby it is ....we would welcome visitors ....I'm driving a float in the Gatlinburgh Christmass parade on Friday , babysitting for a neighbor at our place on Saturday , and then my schedule frees up a lil .... | ||
| niles steckbauer (Niles500)
Registered Member Username: Niles500 Post Number: 975 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 173.78.39.41 Rating: N/A |
I have some friends in Newport that can hook you up with some help there if you need it - Was going up there myself this week but it's gotten way too cold - If you need me to contact them email me / niles500 at msn dot com HTH |